Exposure Compensation in Manual Mode: I am hoping you guys can verify my understanding of Exposure Compensation or at least educate me. I shoot in Manual mode 96.789241% of the time. I...

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

I am hoping you guys can verify my understanding of Exposure Compensation or at least educate me.

I shoot in Manual mode 96.789241% of the time. I adjust the metering manually for under/over exposing based upon the situation and lighting. Is the Exposure Compensation feature/setting anything I need to use in Manual mode if I adjust the metering on the fly with the scroll wheel? Aren't I doing essentially the same thing as using the EC feature which I would do if I was shooting in A, P or S modes (Nikon) correct?

Is this asked clearly?

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Adjusting your EC when in shooting in manual is kind of pointless, as you are already setting your exposure manually so just raise or lower your shutter speed as needed, its the same thing. Using the EC in manual will really throw off your settings in my opinion.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

Thank you MT Shooter. This confirms my understanding. Sometimes I get these brain freezes (I have other words for this though!!) and things I know I know suddenly move into the unknown.

Thanks for taking the time to reply! Arthur

Foggy Loc: Near Oxford Uk

I wasnt aware you can change EC in manual, thought it is compensation for the cameras auto setting in P,A or S

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

You can. Whenever I used EC in M mode it really throws off the metering and hence the picture is over/under exposed respectively. I then doubted myself and wanted verification from the Yoda's on here to set me str8! MT Shooter confirmed my thoughts.

Thanks for the reply.

robert-photos Loc: Chicago

acellis wrote:

I am hoping you guys can verify my understanding o... (show quote)

As MTshooter posted it would be pointless. I shoot Canon and EC is only truely availabe in Av, Tv and P modes whereas in M mode you are just dialing the shutter speed up or down and the setting is not saved. In Canon the EC is saved if you turn off the camera.

sueyeisert Loc: New Jersey

My understanding is that using EC in manual mode on a Nikon doesn't do anything. I also shoot Nikon and use manual exposure.

acellis Loc: Charleston, SC

sueyeisert -- thanks for the feedback. I actually knew this but for some strange reason, i just had a brain freeze, and didn't realize what the heck I was doing!!! Thanks.

1066 Loc: England

Foggy wrote:

I wasnt aware you can change EC in manual, thought it is compensation for the cameras auto setting in P,A or S

er....are you the real "Foggy"....off ...."Last of the Summer Wine", Because that's his picture!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

On Canon cameras it won't let you use exposure compensation when in manual mode. It's only for AV or TV modes (maybe one of the other creative modes as well).

acellis wrote:

I am hoping you guys can verify my understanding o... (show quote)

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

MT Shooter wrote:

Adjusting your EC when in shooting in manual is kind of pointless, as you are already setting your exposure manually so just raise or lower your shutter speed as needed, its the same thing. Using the EC in manual will really throw off your settings in my opinion.

MT
When you enter a value for EC, does it just have an effect on your exposure meter? Example, -1/3 stop would show that you are over exposed by +1/3 stop and therefore you would under expose when you adjusted your meter to 0? I am referring to M, S & A modes only. I have to admit, I use EC in M mode only because I like to under expose my photos ever so slightly, with that said, why do you feel EC will throw your settings off in manual mode?

bawlmer Loc: Baltimore, MD

Foggy wrote:

I wasnt aware you can change EC in manual, thought it is compensation for the cameras auto setting in P,A or S

My camera does not give me access to EC in manual mode. EC as stated above, is for use in P, A, or S mode, or on my camera Auto+ mode. And also, as stated, it's pointless to adjust EC since you are in manual mode. Just adjust aperture, and/or SS as needed. :)

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

bawlmer wrote:

Foggy wrote:

I wasnt aware you can change EC in manual, thought it is compensation for the cameras auto setting in P,A or S

My camera does not give me access to EC in manual mode. EC as stated above, is for use in P, A, or S mode, or on my camera Auto+ mode. And also, as stated, it's pointless to adjust EC since you are in manual mode. Just adjust aperture, and/or SS as needed. :)

My Nikon allows you to enter an EC value in manual mode, which I do on occasion. True you have control over aperture and shutter speed in M mode, but there are times, such as shooting in snow, that you may not want to remember to adjust your exposures to compensate for the under exposure the snow will give you, I am sure there are other situations where EC could be used in M mode. In M mode, when you set a value for EC, you meter is adjusted accordingly.

LenA

You are correct. As far as I'm aware you can adjust EC in aperture, shutter priority and P.