Sony F828-Exposure Compensation Option

[DiaAzul]

Exposure compensation is a fixed offset from the cameras metered exposure to either over or under expose the image. In aperture exposure mode it will adjust the aperture, shutter priority it will adjust exposure time, and programme mode it will adjust both.

What you are describing is what is typically called programme shift mode. This keeps the exposure constant but enables you to shift to higher/lower shutter speed or wider/smaller aperture.

[Lin Evans]

No, that's not how it works. Exposure compensation simply changes the exposure in increments of a stop from what the camera's metering decides would be an optimal exposure for the frame based on lighting as sensed by the electronics. For example, if you have the camera on "auto" "P" mode, mount the camera on a tripod with no exposure compensation set and take a shot, then simply change the exposure compensation up or down and repeat the same shot, the image will either have greater or less exposure than the defaults set in the first exposure.

The reason it exists is that the metering in the camera is designed for "averages."  That is to give you an image where everything is exposed as well as possible according to the information as received by the sensing electronics. But what if the background is totally white or totally black and occupies a reasonably large proportion of the frame? Even with spot metering, if the subject is not somewhat homogenious in tone you will get underexposure for the white background and overexposure for the black background in the normal, uncompensated mode. The photographer can then make an informed decision to "compensate" the exposure to account for the preponderance of excessive light or dark in the frame.

Below is an example of how I use exposure compensation. When I shoot small, highly detailed and colorful art objects I frequently use a solid black velvet backdrop to contrast with and "set off" the object. Without exposure compensation, the shot below would have been badly overexposed. To get the proper exposure I had to use minimal flash strength and -2 EC (exposure compensation) to "fool" the metering so that the detail wasn't washed out.

Lin

Click on link below:

http://www.lin-evans.net/sample/buffalo1024.jpg

[Jonathan Wienke]

For instance, if I'm in apeture priority mode, exposure compensation will move the apeture, just like, uh, moving the apeture?

Nope. If you're in aperture priority mode, you set an aperture and then the camera picks a shutter speed. Exposure Compensation will add an across-the-boards increase or decrese to the shutter speed the camera would have otherwise picked. If you dial in +1 stop of EC and the camera would normally have selected 1/200, after the EC setting is taken into account, the shutter speed will be 1/100. If you dialed in -1 stop of EC the shutter speed would be 1/400 instead. But the aperture will stay wherever it was set.

[dwdallam]

For instance, if I'm in apeture priority mode, exposure compensation will move the apeture, just like, uh, moving the apeture?

Nope. If you're in aperture priority mode, you set an aperture and then the camera picks a shutter speed. Exposure Compensation will add an across-the-boards increase or decrese to the shutter speed the camera would have otherwise picked. If you dial in +1 stop of EC and the camera would normally have selected 1/200, after the EC setting is taken into account, the shutter speed will be 1/100. If you dialed in -1 stop of EC the shutter speed would be 1/400 instead. But the aperture will stay wherever it was set.

OK, so I think I get this now, which does give the exposure control a nice function, but we'll see if I get it:

If you are in Aperture priority mode, exposure compensation allows you to change the shutter speed +-, and opposite for shutter priority? So in manual what does it do, shift both settings +-?

If so, then while you are in priority mode you can shift the setting the camera picks +- with exposure control for as much as it allows +-? If so, this means that you have "some" manual function while in priority modes or P mode.

Lin, I see what you are doing now. It looks like the F828 does a really good job how you are using it. Good job.

[Jonathan Wienke]

but I think that in manual, exposure comp doesn't even function

Now you know why...

[dwdallam]

What is "exposure compensation"? From what I can see, the only thing it does is increase or decrease apeture and shutter speeds together in equal increments up or down from what you or the camera have set. Is this right? If so, is this much use?

[dwdallam]

Exposure compensation is a fixed offset from the cameras metered exposure to either over or under expose the image. In aperture exposure mode it will adjust the aperture, shutter priority it will adjust exposure time, and programme mode it will adjust both.

What you are describing is what is typically called programme shift mode. This keeps the exposure constant but enables you to shift to higher/lower shutter speed or wider/smaller aperture.

So it's pretty much like I thought? For instance, if I'm in apeture priority mode, exposure compensation will move the apeture, just like, uh, moving the apeture?

If so, then the only thing I can see that is useful for that function is when you are in full manual and you want to move both setting up or down in equal increments without having to change each one independently.

Right? Wrong?

[dwdallam]

Lin, when I use my exposure control, my F or Speed time moves also. Both move when in manual I think if I remember correctly.

However, can't you use priority or manual mode to achive the same thing that exposure control does?  I mean what is the exposure control in Auto or P really doing other than changing the F and Speed?

That photo is really nice, but why not use studio lighting instead of a flash, although it looks great the way it is? Or do you use a flash and lighting also?

[Lin Evans]

That photo is really nice, but why not use studio lighting instead of a flash, although it looks great the way it is? Or do you use a flash and lighting also?

It would be nice if every shot "could" be done in a studio or with studio lighting, but it just doesn't work that way in the real world. Often I'm shooting art on location under difficult and mixed lighting conditions so over the years I've worked out a number of methods which work well and let me also work quickly. The F828 works quite well with the internal flash and a reflector or two for bounced lighting. The results are as good as I would have had I shot it in my studio under ideal conditions. Actually, the "best" lighting I've found for shooting this type art is outdoor sunny day shade with white reflectors to eliminate color cast from vegitation or nearby objects (autos, etc.). Good flat light lets you shoot in RAW with low ISO at F8 hand held and tweaks in Adobe RAW can make everything optimal.

Best regards,

Lin

[Jonathan Wienke]

If you are in Aperture priority mode, exposure compensation allows you to change the shutter speed +-, and opposite for shutter priority?

Yes.

So in manual what does it do, shift both settings +-?

In true manual mode, there is only the settings you've manually selected for aperture, shuttter speed, and ISO. Exposure compensation in that context is rather like chicken tentacles. Or dry water.

If so, then while you are in priority mode you can shift the setting the camera picks +- with exposure control for as much as it allows +-? If so, this means that you have "some" manual function while in priority modes or P mode.

Correct. I use aperture priority a lot at concerts with flashing lights. Manual is useless because the ambient lighting is changing by 3 stops sometimes. But aperture priority with exposure compensation works well as long as I tweak the compensation amount whenever I change compositions.

[dwdallam]

Haven't played with camera for some time now as it has been raining, but I think that in manual, exposure comp doesn't even function. Well, thanks for the information.

[dwdallam]

Yeah duh.