[Rajvir Bains]

Thanks Jaggu and Sachinj12
What i have discovered is that i can change the exposure in M(manual mode) only by moving the main dial(round thing), i have figured now that the exposure meter changes whenever i move the camera. Is this the way a DSLR performs in manual mode or i have messed up with its settings ?

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by Rajvir Bains

Hello Guys
I have just bought a Canon Eos 550d with 18-55mm kit lens. I think i have by mistake set dark exposure compensation in Manual mode as all the images taken are dark. I can see the arrow towards dark side in the view finder(which means exposure compensation is more than -2). I have read the manual which says one cannot set exposure in manual mode. Kindly ignore my lack of knowledge as this is my 1st DSLR.
Thanks in advance

One cannot set the exposure compensation in manual mode since it doesn't make any sense because one can directly set the shutter speed (and other controls too) in manual mode - that's why manual mode is there for!

Let's take an example.

Say you are in Aperture priority mode and you set the aperture to a value say f/8. The camera then goes ahead and calculates a shutter speed based on the aperture you set (and also the ISO speed) to a value which it thinks will give you a properly exposed picture. This is done by measuring the incoming light based on the metering mode which is set. (Center weighted, spot etc)

But then you want to slightly take control over this calculation by tweaking the EV to either side of zero or center mark - this is the process of setting exposure compensation. If you set the EV to a negative value, the shutter speed increases and if you set the EV to a positive value, the shutter speed decreases accordingly in order to make your picture under exposed or over exposed from the exposure which camera calculated.

In manual mode, you set shutter speed, aperture & ISO manually and camera won't try to calculate any of these automatically by itself - so there's no need for an exposure compensation to be done.

Originally Posted by jkdas

Just got my ML-L3 ( IR Remote for Nikon) from Flipkart. Cost me 650Rs.

Congrats!

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by Rajvir Bains

i have figured now that the exposure meter changes whenever i move the camera.

I did not understand this part ^^

Once you set the exposure in manual mode, it should not change automatically and i dont think there is a setting to change this.

There are two dials, one is to select the mode of shooting. The other is the control wheel to change the various settings in each of these modes, used along with the corresponding button for the function. Once set it will not change automatically in any of the main manual shoot modes.

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

I did not understand this part ^^

Once you set the exposure in manual mode, it should not change automatically and i dont think there is a setting to change this.

There are two dials, one is to select the mode of shooting. The other is the control wheel to change the various settings in each of these modes, used along with the corresponding button for the function. Once set it will not change automatically in any of the main manual shoot modes.

What Rajvir said is true if he meant metering - as you move the camera, the indicator shifts according to the light intensity variations in the frame. Happens in manual mode and it helps us to see how much under / over we are exposing with respect to its metered value. Yes, no setting is changed if you just move the camera.

[aburagohain]

@Jaggu
The exposure value (say 0 EV on the scale) would have been determined based on a particular light value reflected from some object or part; so now if the camera is pointed at some other object with a different reflected light value in the manual mode (camera is not doing anything by itself), the mark on the meter scale would change naturally.

@Rajvir
Put your camera to any of the other modes than Manual and then check if the Exposure Compensation was set towards the -ve side, hope that would solve the problem.

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by aburagohain

@Rajvir
Put your camera to any of the other modes than Manual and then check if the Exposure Compensation was set towards the -ve side, hope that would solve the problem.

That would solve the problem in modes like Av, but until he sets the shutter speed to a right value to get a proper exposure in Manual mode, the pictures will be either darker or lighter. Remember, no 'exposure compensation' in manual mode - it is just the exposure (shutter speed) you set!

In other words, say you are in manual mode and you have set a a shutter speed of 1/20s. You are not happy with the picture taken at 1/20s, and you want to slightly under expose than this setting - there's no need to set an EV of -0.3 because you have all the liberty to set the shutter speed directly to 1/25s instead!

[aburagohain]

Originally Posted by clevermax

That would solve the problem in modes like Av, but until he sets the shutter speed to a right value to get a proper exposure in Manual mode, the pictures will be either darker or lighter. Remember, no 'exposure compensation' in manual mode - it is just the exposure (shutter speed) you set!

In other words, say you are in manual mode and you have set a a shutter speed of 1/20s. You want to slightly under expose than this setting - there's no need to set an EV of -0.3 because you have all the liberty to set the shutter speed directly to 1/25s instead!

Yes Clever, that is how it is in Manual mode, the entire exposure is in our hands, no need to compensate.

Probably we should ask which mode Rajvir is getting the dark pictures in.. if it is Manual then simply adjust the 3 options of Shutter/Aperture/ISO to get rid of the negative setting.

If in any other mode then follow what I wrote earlier with the compensation button/dial.

[Jaggu]

Ok i got it i was referring to the setting in main menu, he was referring to metering in the view finder.

[Rajvir Bains]

Thank you Guys for clearing my doubts.
What i meant was that Exposure Compenstaion value changes in view finder when i move the camera in M(full manual mode).

Now when i change the shutter speed, the Exposure Value changes. That is when i increase the shutter speed the Exposure Value increases and vice versa.

So is this what happens in M(full manual mode) ?

Hopefully i am right in this observation.

[shajufx]

Finally the waiting for a new full frame (FX) launch from Nikon is out in the open. Looking at the price, I am holding my D700 dearer to my chest, I dont think I can afford the new one by any chance. Here is the preview published today on tech details :
Nikon D4 overview: Digital Photography Review

[ajay_satpute]

Originally Posted by shajufx

Finally the waiting for a new full frame (FX) launch from Nikon is out in the open. Looking at the price, I am holding my D700 dearer to my chest, I dont think I can afford the new one by any chance. Here is the preview published today on tech details :
Nikon D4 overview: Digital Photography Review

3 lakhs INR! ~!@#$%^&

I don't understand too much technical stuff, but I fail to understand why this camera should cost close to 6k USD. The mind-boggling resolution and probably the magnesium alloy body is what I feel are 2 factors, but is there anything else out-out-outstanding about this one?

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by ajay_satpute

.....but is there anything else out-out-outstanding about this one?

Ajay, Nikon D3s is close to this price ($5200 in B&H and not available too) which is doing fantastic in the low light/high ISO category. My only hope is a considerable drop in the price of D3s, so that many could afford that. I dont believe in Megapixel wars anyway, 12 MP is more than enough for all our requirements. But whatever is said and done, 4 of my friends are waiting with ready cash to grab the first batch of D4

[anvancy]

Also if you want to keep the shutter speed/aperture/ISO same but want different shots as to check the EV, just do Auto Exposure Bracketing. It does the shifting for you and in the increment you want while you sit in Manual mode.

An example. Once I know my exposure value in Manual, a quick shift to AEB gives me more headroom in Post. what you see below is the 9 Shot AEB from the camera.the rest are Strobe frames.



Anvancy

[clevermax]

Originally Posted by anvancy

Also if you want to keep the shutter speed/aperture/ISO same but want different shots as to check the EV, just do Auto Exposure Bracketing. It does the shifting for you and in the increment you want while you sit in Manual mode.

An example. Once I know my exposure value in Manual, a quick shift to AEB gives me more headroom in Post. what you see below is the 9 Shot AEB from the camera.the rest are Strobe frames.

Attachment 865447

Anvancy

In AEB, the individual shots will have different shutter speeds but yes your setting won't show a change from where you have kept the shutter speed at..

[anvancy]

Originally Posted by clevermax

In AEB, the individual shots will have different shutter speeds but yes your setting won't show a change from where you have kept the shutter speed at..

What I should have written was one can still use Auto functions while being in Manual to have more edge when shooting a scene. Instead of dialing everytime a shutter speed value a quick AEB gives u more options.

Anvancy