Exposure and Metering Question.
May 27, 2014 12:01:26 #
Patw28 wrote:
FYI, the D800 modes are set by holding down the mode button, near the shutter release, and rotating the command dial.While still metering the sky, turn the PSAM wheel to M. That locks your exposure on the sky reading.
Seems to me the simple answer/method, in manual, is to spot meter the subject, continue to hold the shutter release half way, recompose if necessary, and take the shot (as stated by Old Redeye previously)
IMHO, if the OP is a fairly new DSLR user, the D800 is not the camera to learn on.
May 27, 2014 12:02:43 #
I use AE Lock on my Canons. I have Back Button Focus set to start metering and the shutter button set to AE lock. When I recompose and press the shutter button, AE-lock kicks in and nothing changes.
May 27, 2014 12:08:46 #
in the old B/W film days you exposed for the nearest to 18%
grey.So the sky was overexposed (black negative sky, prints out white but the important bits were good. Nowadays the sky would show deep blue,taking a reading from the important bits. expose for the sky great but the important bits underexposed.Now with digital one can play around with brightness and contrast.
grey.So the sky was overexposed (black negative sky, prints out white but the important bits were good. Nowadays the sky would show deep blue,taking a reading from the important bits. expose for the sky great but the important bits underexposed.Now with digital one can play around with brightness and contrast.
May 27, 2014 12:09:28 #
May 27, 2014 12:14:10 #
rjrbigdog wrote:
In manual mode, if you meter off the grass, sky, your palm or anything else, and set your exposure then recompose, the meter reading will probably change, but the exposure settings already dialed in on the camera won't change. Whether or not your final exposure will be correct is a guess. Why not simply meter off the subject and recompose if necessary?I understand that, thanks. So, If I meter off the grass and recompose do the settings on my light meter change? and if they do, should I dial in the meter reading I got off the grass? I use a nikon d800 and want to learn manual mode. If I was shooting in aperture or shutter priority I could use exposure compensation. Any help would be appreciated.
May 27, 2014 12:17:02 #
rjrbigdog wrote:
Hi,
Just want to ask about working in manual mode. When I take a meter reading lets say from the blue sky and get my reading, when I recompose the shot the reading changes. Do i have to manually dial in the reading I got from the sky?
Just want to ask about working in manual mode. When I take a meter reading lets say from the blue sky and get my reading, when I recompose the shot the reading changes. Do i have to manually dial in the reading I got from the sky?
I am not sure I see the problem. You use spot meter function to meter off the sky. You manually set the camera to the meter's recommendation. You recompose and change only focus and framing. Trigger the shutter. Done.
May 27, 2014 12:17:43 #
rjrbigdog wrote:
Hi,
Just want to ask about working in manual mode. When I take a meter reading lets say from the blue sky and get my reading, when I recompose the shot the reading changes. Do i have to manually dial in the reading I got from the sky?
Just want to ask about working in manual mode. When I take a meter reading lets say from the blue sky and get my reading, when I recompose the shot the reading changes. Do i have to manually dial in the reading I got from the sky?
Not quite sure what you are getting at.
You are shooting in manual mode, you set the camera how you want it to expose.
Q: Why did you meter off of the sky and recompose?
What is your subject?
May 27, 2014 12:19:33 #
Whew ... kinda confusing for a newbie.
In general, if the whole scene is rather dark, you would meter and set exposure off the darkest section of scene ?
In general, if the whole scene is rather dark, you would meter and set exposure off the darkest section of scene ?
May 27, 2014 12:26:42 #
Don't know if this has been mentioned...but when you are in manual mode, your camera is basically a light meter. Just move it up and down & side to side and the meter will move based on the reflected light entering the lens.
I set my camera based on my subject. If my subject standing in front of a brightly lit window..I walk up to them till they "fill the frame"..adjust my meter to center, walk back...ignore my meter and shoot away. Because the light hitting them doesn't change as I move around.
I set my camera based on my subject. If my subject standing in front of a brightly lit window..I walk up to them till they "fill the frame"..adjust my meter to center, walk back...ignore my meter and shoot away. Because the light hitting them doesn't change as I move around.
May 27, 2014 12:31:52 #
dannac wrote:
Whew ... kinda confusing for a newbie.
In general, if the whole scene is rather dark, you would meter and set exposure off the darkest section of scene ?
In general, if the whole scene is rather dark, you would meter and set exposure off the darkest section of scene ?
No matter if the scene is dark, light, or in between...you have to decide what you are trying to accomplish...that will tell you what to set the exposure at.
Silhouette?
Backlight with fill?
Subject exposed properly but background blown?
Subject dark with background exposed properly?
And on and on...there is no one right answer.
If you want to discuss, feel free to PM me so we don't clog up this thread.
May 27, 2014 12:44:45 #
rpavich wrote:
No matter if the scene is dark, light, or in between...you have to decide what you are trying to accomplish...that will tell you what to set the exposure at.
Silhouette?
Backlight with fill?
Subject exposed properly but background blown?
Subject dark with background exposed properly?
And on and on...there is no one right answer.
If you want to discuss, feel free to PM me so we don't clog up this thread.
Silhouette?
Backlight with fill?
Subject exposed properly but background blown?
Subject dark with background exposed properly?
And on and on...there is no one right answer.
If you want to discuss, feel free to PM me so we don't clog up this thread.
Thanks rpavich ... believe you answered it for me there.
I have a lot to learn.
May 27, 2014 12:56:10 #
In Manual: in your view finder you will see a scale 3210123 with an arrow. changing speed ISO or Aperture will move the arrow nearer or further away from 0 (ideal apperture). Therefore you focus on what you want to shoot and read off the scale. adjust and shoot - then if highlights are blown or blacks are blown adjust accordingly - usually by moving the wheel on your camera that alters aperture a click = 1/3 f.
Some say shoot to the right others shoot to the left (of 0 )
You need to learn that exposure is about choosing the right speed and apperture to get 'something' from the shot.
Blur - lo speed
stop movement - Hi speed
detail - low iso ?Fstop for depth of field
in the dark - hi ISO Lo number f stop
but always within a stop +- of the 0
Shooting sky and grass and dividing the values brings you back to average ie 0
Some say shoot to the right others shoot to the left (of 0 )
You need to learn that exposure is about choosing the right speed and apperture to get 'something' from the shot.
Blur - lo speed
stop movement - Hi speed
detail - low iso ?Fstop for depth of field
in the dark - hi ISO Lo number f stop
but always within a stop +- of the 0
Shooting sky and grass and dividing the values brings you back to average ie 0
May 27, 2014 13:09:36 #
[quote=abc1234] The past has a lot to teach us and most people ignore that. quote]
It certainly does - and apparently, you are one of the ignorers !
It certainly does - and apparently, you are one of the ignorers !
May 27, 2014 13:10:50 #
[quote=imagemeister]
Support your assertion with fact or withdraw it.
abc1234 wrote:
The past has a lot to teach us and most people ignore that. quote]
It certainly does - and apparently, you are one of the ignorers !
It certainly does - and apparently, you are one of the ignorers !
Support your assertion with fact or withdraw it.
May 27, 2014 13:18:31 #
rjrbigdog wrote:
Hi,
Just want to ask about working in manual mode. When I take a meter reading lets say from the blue sky and get my reading, when I recompose the shot the reading changes. Do i have to manually dial in the reading I got from the sky?
Just want to ask about working in manual mode. When I take a meter reading lets say from the blue sky and get my reading, when I recompose the shot the reading changes. Do i have to manually dial in the reading I got from the sky?
Yes, that is what "Manual" is all about. You get the reading off the sky. Then you manually put those settings into the camera for your shot.
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