In iOS 14, the stock camera app received some noticable improvements, including the addition of an exposure compensation value slider. On an iPhone running iOS 14, you can utilise this new functionality to lock focus and exposure separately. The ECV feature can help you take professional-quality pictures when you are unable to correctly balance exposure and focus. Let me walk you through the ECV feature in the iPhone Camera app if you haven’t used it yet.
Lock Focus and Exposure Separately in iOS 14
Unfamiliar users should be aware that the iOS 13 camera has a combined focus and exposure control, which is not ideal if you want to have fine control. Although these two crucial characteristics could be adjusted separately in third-party camera apps, the stock camera app was severely lacking in this feature.
While the camera app’s automatic focus and exposure adjustments might save a lot of time, they aren’t always accurate. And this is where the choice to exert fine control over these crucial elements becomes relevant.
- Which iPhones are Compatible with ECV Feature?
- Locking Focus and Exposure Individually in iPhone Camera
- How to Preserve ECV Setting Across Camera Sessions in iOS 14
Which iPhones are Compatible with ECV Feature?
Sadly, the ECV capability only works with more recent iPhone models. Check to see if the ECV feature on your iPhone is compatible before purchasing.
This camera feature is only supported by the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro Max, iPhone SE (2nd generation), iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.
Locking Focus and Exposure Individually in iPhone Camera
Remember that altering the ECV setting in the iPhone Camera app affects all of the pictures and videos that were taken throughout the session. If you think it’s useful, you can decide to save it (more on it later).
- Launch the Camera app on your iPhone.
2. To access the slightly buried controls, either click the chevron icon or swipe up (from above the shutter button).
3. Tap the on+/-button again to display the new ECV control.
4. Then, just drag the horizontal ECV slider from -2 to +2 to change the shutter speed and f-stop.
Pro Advice:
- To make the image look darker, drag the horizontal slider towards -2 or the left.
- To make the image look brighter, drag the slider towards +2 or on the righthand side.
- If you want to reset the ECV adjustment, drag the slider back to zero.
- Note that the iPhone camera automatically keeps adjusting the exposure. If you want to stop it from doing so, lock both EV and ECV variables. To do so, touch and hold a specific area of the viewfinder until AE/AF Lock shows up.
How to Preserve ECV Setting Across Camera Sessions in iOS 14
Since the value automatically resets when you close the Camera app, you can select to save the setting between camera sessions if you prefer to use ECV.
1. Launch the iPhone’s Settings app.
2. Select the Camera option by scrolling down.
3. After that, select Preserve Settings.
4. Lastly, activate the exposure adjustment switch.
Lock Focus and Exposure Individually in iOS 4 with Ease
So, that’s how you can easily lock exposure and focus on an iPhone. I’ve found this function to be quite useful because I like to have more control over these essential camera parts. And if you constantly push yourself to take professional images, I suppose your tale could be the same.
What do you think of ECV? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
