[skandyhere]

Originally Posted by vibbs

How do exposure compensation and metering work? What I actually want to know is, if I shoot in complete manual mode with even the ISO set manually, will the metering mode have any effect on the outcome? I have been trying to look up this on net, but getting lost. Some people say it does effect, but I fail to understand how would it effect the exposure, when all settings are manually set by us.

Just to elaborate on rajb3125's reply below...
There's no behind-the-scenes magic involved in exposure, and I guess you're wanting to confirm that it's solely the set of three parameters of aperture, shutter speed & ISO that will drive exposure (all of which would be set manually in manual mode), thereby relegating the metering system to merely an 'advisory' role in M mode.

[joslicx]

I checked out the Sony A57 yesterday. They did not have any mirrorless cameras on display that I wanted to see. Actually wanted to try the electronic viewfinder of NEX-7 / A77. But had to do with A57. My, my. What an experience shooting with an electronic viewfinder is!! I could see the effect of changing settings (I tried playing with shutter speed) on the exposure live in the viewfinder!!! Now isint that brilliant!!! I'm kind of sold on the electronic viewfinder now!!! EVF itself was definitely much more brighter than the likes of Nikon D5100 or Canon's 550D that I had tried earlier.

[speed_edge]

Guys,

DSLR was on my mind for long and then I came across a code on this thread for zoomin.com, i,e NKND5100 and it worked. I end-up buying D5100 using this at 30K. Thanks to all those who posted it. I just graduated from PnS to DSLR!!

Just out of curiosity I also tried using code NKND3100 and that too worked. Price is around 26K.

Now the Qs

I received my D5100 kit. To charge battery for first time, I fix kit plug adapter to battery charger and it worked. Now the Qs is, I'm not able to detach adapter from the charger. Can someone let me know if we can detach them? Storing with adapter attached to the charger is quite inconvenient.

Regards
SE

Mod, Sorry for back to back post.

Just to correct in my previous post, Correct code is NIKD5100 and NIKD3100 for zoomin.com

Mod team note: Use EDIT option once the post is approved.

[Aroy]

Originally Posted by vibbs

Experts a very Noob question here.

How do exposure compensation and metering work? What I actually want to know is, if I shoot in complete manual mode with even the ISO set manually, will the metering mode have any effect on the outcome? I have been trying to look up this on net, but getting lost. Some people say it does effect, but I fail to understand how would it effect the exposure, when all settings are manually set by us.

An interesting question, which had me stumped for quite some time. Here is the explanation

. Normally the exposure is calculated on an average light intensity. This works for a uniformly lighted scene, say a normal landscape.

. In case you have a lot of white, like in snow, then the exposure will be incorrect. Same is the case for a lighted object on a really dark background.

. In fully manual exposure; unless you are the type who knows what the exposure should be and use that information; you will be guided by the meter. In normal cases the meter will be correct, but in the above two cases it will be wrong. This is where the exposure compensation comes. Your exposure will based on Meter + Compensation.

The compensation is most effective in auto mode. For Manual you are better off by using a spot meter mode - point the sensor at the subject and it will be correctly exposed. I use this a lot on my Nokia 710 Camera Phone, where the spot metering is selected by finger on the scene. If I let the camera decide, then the room is underexposed if there is bright light coming through the window. In such a case I point to the indoors and the exposure comes out correct. Similarly if I want the trees to show in a window of a dark room, I point to the tree and the tree comes out fine, while the room is under exposed.

Some interesting reading
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_compensation
http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowl...-i-use-it.html

[ariendj]

Originally Posted by speed_edge

I'm not able to detach adapter from the charger. Can someone let me know if we can detach them?

just push back the adapter with both thumbs while holding the charger with rest of hand and detach.

[amolpol]

Originally Posted by Aroy

. In fully manual exposure; unless you are the type who knows what the exposure should be and use that information; you will be guided by the meter. In normal cases the meter will be correct, but in the above two cases it will be wrong. This is where the exposure compensation comes. Your exposure will based on Meter + Compensation.

The compensation is most effective in auto mode. For Manual you are better off by using a spot meter mode - point the sensor at the subject and it will be correctly exposed. I use this a lot on my Nokia 710 Camera Phone, where the spot metering is selected by finger on the scene. If I let the camera decide, then the room is underexposed if there is bright light coming through the window. In such a case I point to the indoors and the exposure comes out correct. Similarly if I want the trees to show in a window of a dark room, I point to the tree and the tree comes out fine, while the room is under exposed.

Quick question, why would you rely on the camera metering when you're in manual mode? Wouldn't it be better to use the Av/Tv and use exposure compensation instead.

You're right that the scene composition would dictate the need to compensate for the camera's calculation. For eg. for darker scenes, the camera would automatically try to expose the blacks to grey and hence you need to have negative compensation whereas for brighter scenes, it would try to dial down the whites and you may need to add a positive compensation to get proper exposure. However, this is not really linked to the shooting modes Av/Tv/P but depends on the type of metering that is being used.

In the manual mode, you're basically telling the camera to stop metering for you because you want to dial in the ISO/Shutter/F-stop which are the three building blocks of photography. Hence, there is no question about having exposure compensation available in the M mode.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by Aroy

For Manual you are better off by using a spot meter mode - point the sensor at the subject and it will be correctly exposed. I use this a lot on my Nokia 710 Camera Phone, where the spot metering is selected by finger on the scene. If I let the camera decide, then the room is underexposed if there is bright light coming through the window. In such a case I point to the indoors and the exposure comes out correct. Similarly if I want the trees to show in a window of a dark room, I point to the tree and the tree comes out fine, while the room is under exposed.

amolpol is right, you are assuming that the target of your metering is always grey. That can't be right.

I had explained spot metering a while back: http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/shifti...ml#post1749110

[skandyhere]

Originally Posted by amolpol

In the manual mode, you're basically telling the camera to stop metering for you because you want to dial in the ISO/Shutter/F-stop which are the three building blocks of photography. Hence, there is no question about having exposure compensation available in the M mode.

Well, you have a point. Yet, it's important to note that exposure compensation actually remains available in M mode. Although it just shows the deviation of your actual exposure from the calculated exposure (with this calculation actually considering the EC dialed in), I guess it's just another way of landing the right settings. Bottomline is, compensation IS available in M mode, but of course, that does not force any change in the actual exposure.

[amolpol]

Originally Posted by skandyhere

I guess it's just another way of landing the right settings. Bottomline is, compensation IS available in M mode, but of course, that does not force any change in the actual exposure.

If you'd want the camera to tell you the right exposure settings, then it's better not to use the M mode. There is a particular misconception about the M mode being for experienced and professional photographers while the other modes are for amateurs and lesser mortals like me. I've had a lot of people asking me if I'd shoot M all the time and the answer is NO.

The M mode is to be used when you know the lighting conditions at the time of exposure are not exactly what the camera is seeing them while calculating the exposure values. For eg. when you have strobe lights which are off camera and not eTTL, you'd always end up with wrong exposure straight off the camera because it never knew that there was going to be additional lighting once the shutter was released. Such situations strongly demand the use of external light meters which are more accurate in measuring the incidental light rather than the reflective light that's measured by the camera meter.

You could also put the camera on M mode when you know that the scene composition isn't going to change much and you'd be much happier using the same exposure settings for multiple shots than have variations which are introduced in the Av/Tv/P modes. Eg. when you do pano shots, you may want to use same settings vs trying to adjust individual pictures later in PP to match exposures.

Anyways, the exposure compensation is only a way of exception management based on your understanding of the scene vs what the camera is telling you. In the M mode, you'd still see the slider on the EV values as you adjust the shutter/aperture manually, but I'd rarely pay attention to that since I don't want to trust the camera values at that time.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by speed_edge

Just out of curiosity I also tried using code NKND3100 and that too worked. Price is around 26K.

Just to correct in my previous post, Correct code is NIKD5100 and NIKD3100 for zoomin.com

I am also thinking of buying the Nikon D5100 and tried above coupon codes. But, i noted it accepts only only coupon "NIKD5100" which brings the price down to Rs.29990

It is not accepting NIKD3100. So can you please explain how you were able to apply both coupon codes to bring the price down to Rs.26K?

Btw, they also have a nice exchange offer and I got Rs.14,150 for my Nikon D40x with Kit lens. Is it a good offer for exhange?

[speed_edge]

Originally Posted by mobike008

I am also thinking of buying the Nikon D5100 and tried above coupon codes. But, i noted it accepts only only coupon "NIKD5100" which brings the price down to Rs.29990

It is not accepting NIKD3100. So can you please explain how you were able to apply both coupon codes to bring the price down to Rs.26K?

Btw, they also have a nice exchange offer and I got Rs.14,150 for my Nikon D40x with Kit lens. Is it a good offer for exhange?

Mobike,

It'll accept only one coupon. I mean to say if you are buying D5100, It can accept coupon NIKD5100 and cost is 30K. If you are buying D3100 it can accept coupon NIKD3100 and cost is around 26K

Regards
SE

[driverace]

Originally Posted by mobike008

All those coupons etc, are usually farce.

Here is one at Ebay which is cheaper than the price you got :-

http://www.ebay.in/itm/NIKON-D5100-D...item2ec26c92e3

May be because you don't believe in coupons - you are not getting the discount

Seriously- I tried both coupons again- and they work.
Make sure you are not copying space or anything else.

Oh- btw- I ordered the D5100 (with kit lens) and it reached on Saturday ( they shipped it the next day I ordered, and they ship it with overnight shipping (fedex). the packaging was real good! )

Learning about light - has practically started!

Cheers,

Ace.

[speed_edge]

Originally Posted by driverace

May be because you don't believe in coupons - you are not getting the discount

Seriously- I tried both coupons again- and they work.
Make sure you are not copying space or anything else.

Oh- btw- I ordered the D5100 (with kit lens) and it reached on Saturday ( they shipped it the next day I ordered, and they ship it with overnight shipping (fedex). the packaging was real good! )

Learning about light - has practically started!

Cheers,

Ace.

Ace,

Seems like we both got delivery on same day. I ordered last Thursday night and got it on Saturday. within 48 hours from order it got delivered. And yeah, Packaging is also very good. Overall a very good experience. To add to the good experience, Guess what.. I got a free 6x9 photobook code free. They have an option to choose either free coffee mug or photo book during order. Hope you also have got similar free gift.

Mobike,

As Ace told, You have to start believing coupon code to get them working

Okay.. I know, You are trying to use both the coupons for D5100 and want to buy it at 26K. But that's a dream.

Also for those who want to buy Canon 550D. code is CAN550D. Cost is around 31K. So enjoy.

Regards
Sandip

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by driverace

Seriously- I tried both coupons again- and they work. Make sure you are not copying space or anything else.

What do you mean you tried both coupon when your buying one product (D5100). This is what is confusing. Why talk about 2 coupons when your buying one product?

In my post i mentioned NKD5100 is working and price reduced to Rs.29,990 but, what confused me was Speededge post that he used NKD3100 and price came to Rs.26K which he later clarified.

I spoke to customer service as well and and he clearly mentioned only one coupon can be used.

Anyways, I have decided to let go of my Nikon D40X with kit lens whose's autofocus is gone in exchange (love this exchange feature)

Deal I am getting :-

D5100 MRP is Rs.33,500-Rs.14,190 ( Nikon D40x with kit lens) which is roughly Rs.19K

Not bad. huh?

[speed_edge]

Originally Posted by mobike008

D5100 MRP is Rs.33,500-Rs.14,190 ( Nikon D40x with kit lens) which is roughly Rs.19K

mobike,

Isnt the cost is
33500 - (3900 with coupon) - 14190 (Exchange)?
This would be around 16k. Much better deal. Effectively you are getting only 10K for your old D40x, isn't it?

Regards
SE