Why have an extra dial for exposure compensation?
Apr 7, 2020 10:46:11 #
kenArchi wrote:
Can you change exposure at ISO, Aperture or Speed?
Would that give better control knowing what you will get?
It seems confusing using Exposure Compensation.
Do you know what it is changing in your camera?
If it changes aperture, it will change depth of field. That might not be what I want.
So I see how confusing it is because I am not in control.
Am I being correct in this matter.
Or photographers don't care about the end result of their pictures.
Would that give better control knowing what you will get?
It seems confusing using Exposure Compensation.
Do you know what it is changing in your camera?
If it changes aperture, it will change depth of field. That might not be what I want.
So I see how confusing it is because I am not in control.
Am I being correct in this matter.
Or photographers don't care about the end result of their pictures.
Yes, those of us that understand how our cameras work know what will happen when EC is used. For instance, when in AV (aperture priority for those non Canon users) when EC is used the shutter is adjusted to achieve more or less brightness of the exposure. The aperture setting will remain constant. This is the mode I use most of the time. I don’t particularly like TV ( shutter priority) because when EC is used then the aperture changes and the DOF changes.
In manual mode some cameras can be set up to still use EC and then the ISO changes to adjust exposure. It’s ingenious if you ask me.
When I first got into photography there weren’t settings like this and much thought had to go into exposure. Taking pictures outdoors of wildlife was very challenging because you had to quickly decide what dial turn or button to press to change your exposure for the ever changing light. With EC you need only turn one dial and it’s rather easy to train yourself to remember which way to turn that dial and muscle memory plays a big part of doing it quickly and on the fly.
Apr 7, 2020 10:47:34 #
Rongnongno wrote:
And that is because you spot meter the black. If you select properly (poor thing need to be dead) you do not to compensate. The use of incident light is the best solution when shooting a well lit subject. If the critter is in the shade while the rest is under the midday sun the measuring is still done with reflective light, spot meter again.
And you apparently don’t shoot wildlife in ever changing conditions.
Apr 7, 2020 10:49:29 #
jeep_daddy wrote:
... In manual mode some cameras can be set up to still use EC and then the ISO changes to adjust exposure. ...
When in full manual with the ISO not set to Auto, the EC setting will move the readout in the viewfinder.
Apr 7, 2020 10:52:02 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Ever heard of spot metering?
It works.
It works.
That plus toggled AEL is the ultimate version of M-mode.
Apr 7, 2020 10:53:07 #
selmslie wrote:
Those were beginner's cameras.
The Nikon FE (1977) has an EC dial.
The Nikon EL (1972) did not so you had to select a different ASA/ISO value. The EL2 added the EC dial.
The Nikon FE (1977) has an EC dial.
The Nikon EL (1972) did not so you had to select a different ASA/ISO value. The EL2 added the EC dial.
The Nikon EL isn't a beginner's camera but my point that in the early days of auto exposure cameras they didn't tend to have EC. Then later ones like the FE, F3 did but they were not at a convenient place. Today the EC is a prominent control. So I believe the tendency to use EC more and more often.
Apr 7, 2020 10:53:13 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Ever heard of spot metering?
It works.
It works.
So does exposure compensation. Spot meter a black bear and you get a grey bear, fix it with exposure compensation. Spot meter white snow and you get grey snow, fix it with exposure compensation.
Apr 7, 2020 10:53:29 #
bleirer wrote:
I was just checking how my canon acts. Without auto ISO, in aperture priority EC changes shutter speed and in shutter priority EC changes f stop. In manual mode there is no EC when auto iso is off.
With my Nikon Df in Manual Mode and no Auto-ISO, EC just changes the Exposure Indicator and leaves the decision of what to change to get back to 0 to the photographer.
Apr 7, 2020 10:55:43 #
SuperflyTNT wrote:
And you apparently don’t shoot wildlife in ever changing conditions.
That is when I use 'TAv' mode - defined by Pentax as equivalent to 'M' mode plus "auto ISO".
I keep shutter speed and aperture settings I chose ..... and 'EC' setting applies so I also get appropriate ISO.
Apr 7, 2020 10:59:37 #
Mac wrote:
With my Nikon Df in Manual Mode and no Auto-ISO, EC just changes the Exposure Indicator and leaves the decision of what to change to get back to 0 to the photographer.
I think it shows that once you know your own gear, there are several ways and modes to get to the same exposure value, and there can only be one exposure value set by the camera at a time no matter how you got there. I don't think there is a single 'correct' value when shooting raw, one just tries to catch as many photons as the sensor is capable of holding without overflowing.
Apr 7, 2020 11:00:48 #
BebuLamar wrote:
The Nikon EL isn't a beginner's camera but my point that in the early days of auto exposure cameras they didn't tend to have EC. Then later ones like the FE, F3 did but they were not at a convenient place. Today the EC is a prominent control. So I believe the tendency to use EC more and more often.
Maybe for a Nikon user.
On my Pentax cameras, 'EC' was more prominent on "Super Program" in purchased in 1983 than on the 'KP' I purchased in 2018.
Apr 7, 2020 11:05:25 #
Mac wrote:
With my Nikon Df in Manual Mode and no Auto-ISO, EC just changes the Exposure Indicator and leaves the decision of what to change to get back to 0 to the photographer.
Of course in Manual Mode with no Auto-ISO EC is not really needed. Over and/or under exposure can be attained by changing the settings.
Apr 7, 2020 11:09:17 #
rehess wrote:
Maybe for a Nikon user.
On my Pentax cameras, 'EC' was more prominent on "Super Program" in purchased in 1983 than on the 'KP' I purchased in 2018.
On my Pentax cameras, 'EC' was more prominent on "Super Program" in purchased in 1983 than on the 'KP' I purchased in 2018.
The location of the EC of the Pentax Super Program is typical of 80's camera. It' on the left size and next to the ASA dial.While it's possible it's not easy to adjust while having the viewfinder to your eye. It's not considered prominent among today's camera. Take a look at the EC dial on the Sony A7 series. It's right under the right thumb.
Apr 7, 2020 11:12:24 #
bleirer wrote:
I think it shows that once you know your own gear, there are several ways and modes to get to the same exposure value, and there can only be one exposure value set by the camera at a time no matter how you got there.
Yes
. And to do that you need to go through the manual with the camera when you first get the camera. And to keep the manual handy for future reference.Apr 7, 2020 11:25:47 #
Rongnongno wrote:
Ever heard of spot metering?
It works.
It works.
Ever hear of sports or action photography? Spot metering isn't really the best option.
Apr 7, 2020 11:32:27 #
Your first 10,000 images are your worst. That's when you should learn about Exposure Compensation.
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.