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Detailed Description of Exposure Compensation
The camera’s light meter wants to make a scene look neutral and on average a mid-grey tone. The precise grey that it aims for is 18% grey because this is what we perceive to be midway between black and white. This seems to work most of the time if the scene is evenly well lit and doesn’t have large areas of high contrast.
When do You Need Exposure Compensation?
Exposure Compensation is required when a scene is more than averagely bright or more than averagely dark. This is because the camera’s light meter will want to return the exposure back towards the average mid-tones that it is comfortable with.
How do You Use Exposure Compensation in Aperture Priority Mode (Av or A)?
Select the “Av” or “A” mode on the program selection dial. You should probably use a tripod especially if you are in a dark environment and you will be underexposing as well. In this mode, to achieve full control, you should not use Auto ISO but choose an appropriate fixed ISO that suits the ambient light of the scene.
How do You Use Exposure Compensation in Shutter Priority Mode (Tv or S)?
Select the “Tv” or “S” mode on the mode selection dial. It would be best to use a tripod especially if you are shooting in a dark environment and you will also be underexposing. In this program, to achieve full control, don’t use Auto ISO but select an appropriate ISO that suits the available light of the scene.
How do You Use Exposure Compensation in Program Mode (P)?
Choose “P” on the program selection dial. In this program, you control the exposure as a pair. When you roll the spinning wheel selector both the Aperture opening and the Shutter speed change but together they maintain a neutral exposure.
How do You Use Exposure Compensation in Manual Mode (M)?
When you choose the “M” program you are entering the realms of fully Manual. You control everything here and there is no assistance except if you employ the Auto ISO, then it will compensate for your exposure choices as long it is within the ISO range of the camera.
A Note on Auto ISO
If you have Auto ISO selected while using any of the above 4 modes, It will change along with the other settings when you are trying to perform the Exposure Compensation. It muddies the water of the precise exposure control that you have when it is disabled.
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