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Benefits Using Exposure Compensation Dial
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Nov 8, 2022 22:43:55   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
Linda From Maine wrote:
The above are succinct and all you need to know

With M4/3 cameras, electronic viewfinders and real-time exposure, I like to be in manual mode. If I want to change exposure quickly I can move my shutter speed knob/dial or aperture (both are on top of my camera and I don't need to take my eye away from the viewfinder).

I've never used EC in manual mode and don't understand its purpose in M for the real-time exposure cameras.
The above are succinct and all you need to know i... (show quote)


When Exposure Compensation is available in Manual mode on Nikon and Canon cameras, auto ISO has to be set on. In those conditions EC allows you quickly modify the auto ISO value up or down to lighten or darken the image. I find it extremely useful and much faster then manually changing the ISO for every shot. Think of it as a sort of semiauto ISO. I have used it often over the years.

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Nov 9, 2022 00:02:38   #
larryepage Loc: North Texas area
 
mwsilvers wrote:
When Exposure Compensation is available in Manual mode on Nikon and Canon cameras, auto ISO has to be set on. In those conditions EC allows you quickly modify the auto ISO value up or down to lighten or darken the image. I find it extremely useful and much faster then manually changing the ISO for every shot. Think of it as a sort of semiauto ISO. I have used it often over the years.


I have not found this to be the case with either the D500, D810, or D850. EC simply "skews" the meter reading in Manual mode just like in the other modes, producing a different set of settings that zeroes the meter. I never use Auto ISO, and it always works this way. I can see that ISO would change as you describe if you use Auto ISO and insist on the same aperture/shutter speed combinations, but that's definitely not the only way EC works in Manual, at least in those cameras.

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Nov 9, 2022 00:13:33   #
mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey
 
larryepage wrote:
I have not found this to be the case with either the D500, D810, or D850. EC simply "skews" the meter reading in Manual mode just like in the other modes, producing a different set of settings that zeroes the meter. I never use Auto ISO, and it always works this way. I can see that ISO would change as you describe if you use Auto ISO and insist on the same aperture/shutter speed combinations, but that's definitely not the only way EC works in Manual, at least in those cameras.


I can't speak to Nikon DSLRs, but on Nikon Z bodies when using EC in manual mode without Auto ISO set, it alters the meter settings plus or minus but it has no effect on the image. When Auto ISO is set, EC on a Z body works identically to my Canon 7D Mark II.

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Nov 9, 2022 03:05:43   #
SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA
 
Big Clam wrote:
With the event of digital photography, I'm no longer concerned how many images I capture, even though I discard most. So, I use exposure bracketing (-1, 0, +1) and I usually get one that's exposed correctly. If not, I try again if the subject is still there. And I use the histogram to ensure that an important part of the image isn't blown out. Seems a lot simpler than using exposure compensation and taking one shot.


You’re obviously not shooting wildlife or action.

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Nov 9, 2022 04:51:23   #
kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy
 
Dennis833 wrote:
I shoot landscapes as a profession and always shot in Aperture priority even back in my large format days. I always choose my aperture first based on the required depth of field need for each composition. I then adjust the shutter speed with the EC dial if needed. It's important to note that I always shoot from a tripod so I don't have to worry about camera shake at slow shutter speeds with low ISO settings. The main benefit of shooting with Aperture priority over manual is speed. Every time you turn a mirrorless camera on it will be very close to the correct exposure regardless of how far away the last exposure was and this can make a big difference in getting the shot.
I shoot landscapes as a profession and always shot... (show quote)


Me too. I never shoot manual. I always shoot aperture or shutter priority depending on the situation, and fine tune with EC. After I have the correct exposure, if necessary, I vary the fixed parameter and the camera will then set the floating parameter to compensate

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Nov 9, 2022 11:11:43   #
photoman43
 
Daryls wrote:
Quenepas,

Exposure Compensation is used in Program, Shutter, and Aperture priority modes to lighten, or darken, an exposure, thus overriding what the camera’s light meter ‘thinks’ is the correct exposure value. In Manual mode, you choose your settings according to the light meter reading and your particular desire for the photograph. Since I use Manual mode almost exclusively, I do not use Exposure Compensation. I don't want the camera deciding the correct exposure for me. It goes back to my film days when we had to control all the settings manually.

Daryl
Quenepas, br br Exposure Compensation is used in ... (show quote)


The above is what you need to know. I shoot in Aperture Priority 99% of the time and use Ex Comp when needed to make adjustments either + or -.

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Nov 9, 2022 11:19:27   #
Nicholas J DeSciose
 
When you have to work fast, manual is not an option.

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Nov 9, 2022 11:21:02   #
Nicholas J DeSciose
 
When you have to work fast, sports photography. Manuel
Is not an option

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Nov 9, 2022 12:29:36   #
fetzler Loc: North West PA
 
Light meters are designed to make a proper exposure for a scene with 18% reflectance. Some modern cameras are capable doing some analysis of the scene. If your scene is much brighter than 18% reflectance (e.g. snow scene, beach) then the photo will be under exposed. If you a photographing a dark scene (e.g. wood walls, black animal) your photo will be overexposed. EC lets you adjust exposure for the scene that is calculated by your in camera meter. EC is something i regularly use.

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Nov 9, 2022 12:36:39   #
fetzler Loc: North West PA
 
Nicholas J DeSciose wrote:
When you have to work fast, sports photography. Manuel
Is not an option


Odd, years a go, I used manual film cameras without an in-camera light meter to take photos at concerts and sports no problem, with some planning and experience. No high frame rate stuff however but there were Nikons that could hold bulk film.

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Nov 9, 2022 12:41:41   #
CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City
 
When I learned photography, we walked up hill both ways in the snow and said, 'thank you, can I have another.'

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Nov 9, 2022 13:15:00   #
jamesl Loc: Pennsylvania
 
quenepas wrote:
This is a naive question BUT I’ve been trying to understand the uses of the Exposure Compensation (EC) dial on cameras. I understand the basics that rotating the EC dial to “+” increase light for exposure and rotating the dial to “-“ decreases light. But other exposure factors get modified when you do this (reduce shutter speed for “+” and increase for “-“). Can’t you simply make these manual settings when you want a specific effect? I guess the advantage of the EC dial is that it facilitates adjustments to exposure for a particular effect (darker/lighter exposure). But I think that mirrorless cameras with Electronic View Finders are the ones that mostly benefit from this technology. All comments are welcomed to enlighten a very aging amateur photographer and dedicated Hog follower.
This is a naive question BUT I’ve been trying to u... (show quote)


--------
Wjen not in (M) Manual mode, the exposure compensation is an over-ride to the exposure. If you leave it turned on in each shot the camera will come up with what it feels should be the correct exposure and then the compensation will over-ride that setting based on the compensation you set up.

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Nov 9, 2022 17:35:05   #
DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina
 
williejoha wrote:
That change is usually done when shooting in manual.
WJH


Don’t believe EC is functional in manual mode.

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Nov 9, 2022 20:00:03   #
wmurnahan Loc: Bloomington IN
 
I hate the dial on my Sony a7ii because it is easy to turn the dial accidentally and I've ended up with pictures darker than I planed because I didn't notice till I had gotten home.

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Nov 9, 2022 21:12:32   #
CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska
 
quenepas wrote:
This is a naive question BUT I’ve been trying to understand the uses of the Exposure Compensation (EC) dial on cameras. I understand the basics that rotating the EC dial to “+” increase light for exposure and rotating the dial to “-“ decreases light. But other exposure factors get modified when you do this (reduce shutter speed for “+” and increase for “-“). Can’t you simply make these manual settings when you want a specific effect? I guess the advantage of the EC dial is that it facilitates adjustments to exposure for a particular effect (darker/lighter exposure). But I think that mirrorless cameras with Electronic View Finders are the ones that mostly benefit from this technology. All comments are welcomed to enlighten a very aging amateur photographer and dedicated Hog follower.
This is a naive question BUT I’ve been trying to u... (show quote)


You don't use EC in manual mode. Manual mode is, basically, EC on steroids. You can use any dial to adjust the exposure. Turn just about anything your fingers can reach and the exposure changes. Thats all EC does.
Some here say they use EC to adjust floating ISO when in manual mode. ISO, like everything else is locked where you set it if you are really in manual mode. If your ISO is adjusting itself you are not in manual mode.
I use EC a lot for reasons I have often mentioned on UHH. It is a great tool for many of the situations I find myself in.
...Cam

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