Learned something new to me about exposure compensation
Jan 10, 2019 09:23:28 #
foxfirerodandgun wrote:
OK...............I'm a bit more confused. Simple yes or no question to each scenario. Using a D7200 in M mode, if the exposure compensation is changed either +/- does this effect the image being taken if auto ISO is on...........or if auto ISO is off? Thanks.
The answer to your question is contained in earlier posts but I'll try to answer more directly:
If you are in M+Auto ISO mode, then YES, Exposure Compensation will cause the camera to affect the image by automatically changing the ISO up or down.
If you are in M (full Manual, i.e. Auto ISO off), setting an Exposure Compensation will NOT affect the image. The camera will show you a change in the meter reading but will NOT change ISO (or anything else!)
Jan 10, 2019 09:45:36 #
tommy2
Loc: Fort Worth, Texas
Cwilson341 wrote:
I agree with Linda. Topics like this are very helpful. While the answers make a lot of sense the fact that the topic makes us stop and think about the logic of how our cameras work is educational and helpful.
Exactly my comment too. Also being another brand user these discussion point out important features that most always are available on my “brand” - just need to learn how to go about using them through a different path.
Jan 10, 2019 10:00:16 #
tcthome
Loc: NJ
This will definitely help some people here. With that said in full manually I just adjust what I want to over/under expoese, eg. ,For landscape usually I'll adjust shutter etc.
Jan 10, 2019 10:03:36 #
swartfort wrote:
...Just because I am very aware of the exposure triangle, how and why settings work in combination of each other, and how changing each individually or in combination will affect the IQ, I am not so proud as to not work with the tools in my camera to help me get more keepers on my card. The less I have to do in post, the happier I am. That is the ultimate goal right?
Linda From Maine wrote:
Well, not in my world, which is mostly about artistic interpretation 
But your "not too proud" comment is related to the OP (and cwilson's comment) in that the more we understand how our camera's functions work, the more we can personalize what works best for our individual goals.
But your "not too proud" comment is related to the OP (and cwilson's comment) in that the more we understand how our camera's functions work, the more we can personalize what works best for our individual goals.This discussion is very interesting, especially since I gave up on understanding EC a long time ago! I agree with swartfort that it is best to work with the camera's capabilities to get more keepers. But I also do not accept the concept of aiming for less work in post! I actually enjoy doing post-processing. The camera does not always adequately capture what our brain sees, simply because of the way it works!
Instead of using EC, I have compensated for my lack of comprehension by using larryepage's basic procedure. [I shoot in mostly manual mode.]
larryepage wrote:
...For example, in my viewfinders, when I am using Manual mode, my "match needle" meter has graduations on both sides which allow me, if I choose, to do Exposure Compensation on the fly without even pushing the EC button...I just adjust to the indicator one stop (or however many I choose) to the left instead of putting it in the middle...
Perhaps I ought to re-visit EC, but not sure if I will! Too used to "EC on the fly"!
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Jan 10, 2019 10:37:48 #
pesfls wrote:
I’ve been using a digital body about 18 months and... (show quote)
This issue came up at a camera club meeting, and after some experimenting, it was found that if you are in full manual mode, there is nothing left for EC to tweak. One side of the exposure triangle has to be in auto mode in order for EC to work. Take two or three shots in full manual with EC adjusted each time then look at the EXIF data. What changed? Nothing. On the other hand you can see what changed when shooting shutter priority, aperture priority, or auto ISO.
Jan 10, 2019 10:50:06 #
larryepage wrote:
.......I just adjust to the indicator one stop (or however many I choose) to the left instead of putting it in the middle.......
I can think of one advantage to doing EC that way. You're not introducing a setting that you could then forget about and leave in place inadvertently.
Jan 10, 2019 13:18:53 #
I must admit that none of this ever occurred to me. Whenever I am shooting in Manual Exposure, if what I am pointing my camera's light meter at is not "Middle Grey", then I just change the f/stop or shutter speed to reflect (get it?) the tonality I want it to be. Trying to "dial-in" EC seems a silly waste of time. Now, in Aperture/Shutter Priority semi-automatic exposure mode, EC is a nice feature to use. But in Manual ... Really?
Jan 10, 2019 13:43:25 #
To me, exposure compensation is what MANUAL is all about. If you want to under or over expose you just turn the dial and the "needle" moves up or down a 1/2 or 1/3 of a stop or more. Some cameras will "move the center" to reflect that choice for you. The real value, to me, for this feature is when using the semi auto linked-exposure-equivalent) modes like Aperture or Shutter priority or P (for perfect) Program.
In the film Daze we often biased a slight under exposure for certain films. Also, for certain back lit scenes, an over exposure bias or compensation would help retain shadow details and, of course, faces. But it was always on and could cause a problem when you, wait for it, turned around! Or a cloud covered the sun.
There are reasons to shoot MANUAL--because sometimes it is easier. It is worthwhile to take a few hours a few times with different scenes and circumstances with a DSLR (or MILC) to get comfortable doing so. Call it a "creative exposure visualization" project--if you must. Chimp like crazy and you'll have Manual nailed without wasting a dime on film and processing blank rolls.
C
In the film Daze we often biased a slight under exposure for certain films. Also, for certain back lit scenes, an over exposure bias or compensation would help retain shadow details and, of course, faces. But it was always on and could cause a problem when you, wait for it, turned around! Or a cloud covered the sun.
There are reasons to shoot MANUAL--because sometimes it is easier. It is worthwhile to take a few hours a few times with different scenes and circumstances with a DSLR (or MILC) to get comfortable doing so. Call it a "creative exposure visualization" project--if you must. Chimp like crazy and you'll have Manual nailed without wasting a dime on film and processing blank rolls.
C
Jan 10, 2019 15:22:54 #
I've never been confused by EC with a little thinking and reading as I learned Full Manual first, using a hand held meter with all the cameras I used, 35mm, 6x7cm, 4x5", and 8x10". Nothing was automatic or synced!
Yes, different models of digital camera are slightly different.
Yes, different models of digital camera are slightly different.
Jan 10, 2019 15:24:09 #
R.G. wrote:
I can think of one advantage to doing EC that way. You're not introducing a setting that you could then forget about and leave in place inadvertently.
Although I know exactly how the EC works on Nikon cameras I actually never use it. I always afraid forgetting to set it back to zero.
Jan 10, 2019 15:56:05 #
pesfls wrote:
I’ve been using a digital body about 18 months and... (show quote)
I think that full manual should preclude the camera figuring out a plus or minus exposure. In FM, you are operating exactly as you did in your film camera. When you need to open up a stop, you, um, open up a stop. Not sure it would make sense to set 1/30 at F16 and then tell the camera to adjust for more exposure, and expect it to change either the F stop or shutter speed (ISO could also be varied, but that would not be an adjustment you would want the camera to make on its own in full manual).
Jan 10, 2019 16:23:42 #
rond-photography wrote:
I think that full manual should preclude the camer... (show quote)
I understand that now. My error was to assume that with all the crazy electronic things these new bodies do, the outcome would be that it would also compensate in M mode. I’ve learned that’s not so. I hadn’t thought it through and missed the appropriate detail in the manual. As you say, manual is just what it implies as in a manual only film body. But I have now noticed I have company in this misjudgement so I guess it was worth admitting the error of my ways for the benefit of some other folks.
Jan 10, 2019 16:35:17 #
q
You are not alone. About 2 years ago, I started shooting full manual. Before I startedshooting full manual, I regularly shot Shutter Speed or Aperture priority and used EC. Well, I just kept using EC when I went full manual. It didn’t seem to make any difference, though. A chance remark by 2 fellow photographers made me realize my mistake. Who knew? Obviously not me!!
pesfls wrote:
I’ve been using a digital body about 18 months and... (show quote)
You are not alone. About 2 years ago, I started shooting full manual. Before I startedshooting full manual, I regularly shot Shutter Speed or Aperture priority and used EC. Well, I just kept using EC when I went full manual. It didn’t seem to make any difference, though. A chance remark by 2 fellow photographers made me realize my mistake. Who knew? Obviously not me!!
Jan 10, 2019 17:20:11 #
Exposure compensation (EV) is usually used with shutter or aperture priority. Since you are controlling less you can modify brightness with EV. In manual mode u can change all 3 exposure controls: aperture, shutter, iso. No need for EV change.
Jan 10, 2019 18:17:35 #
jaziey.g wrote:
Exposure compensation (EV) is usually used with shutter or aperture priority. Since you are controlling less you can modify brightness with EV. In manual mode u can change all 3 exposure controls: aperture, shutter, iso. No need for EV change.
EV is Exposure Value which is an absolute measure of light. For example one meter might measure as low as -3.2 EV, another may only measure as low as -2.8 EV.
EC is Exposure Compensation, a relative measure of light. With EC set to -1.0 the meter will read the same light as 1 stop different than it does with EC set to 0. (Extra credit: With EC set to -1.0 does the meter read higher or lower.)
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