? Manual Exposure in 'M' mode on T4i ?

Hi, everyone. I have recently purchased my Canon T4i a month or two ago. Since then, I have been trying to figure out how to manually control the exposure level when I'm in 'M' mode. T4i does not seem to let me control the exposure level in 'M' mode. This is somewhat annoying as I sometimes get over or under exposed images due to this. The only control I can get with the exposure is the AEB.

I have read the manual (the part pertaining exposures) and cannot figure this out. Seeing that this is my first DSLR, I do not know if this is common behaviors for other Canon DSLR or not so pardon my ignorance if any.

Thank you.

Yes, it is normal behaviour.

There is no assistance from the camera in 'M' mode, (except Auto ISO on some models but i hate that, so never use it!)

To correctly expose a photo in 'M', you need to set your Aperature, Shutter Speed and ISO yourself. You need to balance the exposure 'trinagle'.

Get a copy of understanding exposure, it is a brilliant read and will help you alot.

You can use AEB and you camera will teak your shutter speed up and down the sumber of stops you dial in to get a set of bracketed images. You will stiull have to balance the exposure triangle yourself tho to determine the middle image.

+1 for reading Understanding Exposure. I checked it out at the library, then went and bought a copy. Also, read your user manual a few times, then shoot for a couple weeks, and read it two more times.

If you want a jump start on manual, set it in Tv or Av and get the shot looking how you want it in the histogram. Then note the settings in the triangle (shutter, aperture, ISO). Go to M and copy these settings. Then, during your shoot, you can push one setting up and another down to get the same exposure, while creatively changing the outcome.

lostear wrote in post #14895978
Hi, everyone. I have recently purchased my Canon T4i a month or two ago. Since then, I have been trying to figure out how to manually control the exposure level when I'm in 'M' mode. T4i does not seem to let me control the exposure level in 'M' mode. This is somewhat annoying as I sometimes get over or under exposed images due to this. The only control I can get with the exposure is the AEB.

I have read the manual (the part pertaining exposures) and cannot figure this out. Seeing that this is my first DSLR, I do not know if this is common behaviors for other Canon DSLR or not so pardon my ignorance if any.

Thank you.

In Manual, how are you trying to control the exposure? You should be able to control the shutter speed and aperture (by manipulating the correct buttons) and combined with ISO settings this will allow you to select the correct exposure.

What part of that is not working?

^^^^ I imagine the OP is trying to use exposure compensation

lostear,

Below is a link to a Camera simulator website that lets you play with all the settings to better understand the effect of these changes to each setting on you camera. It will help you to understand the entire concept that each setting plays.

http://camerasim.com/c​amera-simulator/

Manual means manual--you manually set everything. You set the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. All the camera does is indicate whether your settings are on target, given the metering method you chose. That shows up at the bottom of the viewfinder. So manual allows YOU full control, rather than giving the camera control. All the other options give the camera some degree of control. E.g., with Tv mode, you set the ISO and shutter speed, and the camera selects the aperture.

Don't take this wrong, but I second the suggestion that you study the manual, which explains this, and read up on the exposure triangle if you don't already understand it.

Press the ISO button and select a setting other than AUTO. Outside in bright sunshine use 100 or 200. Set mode dial to M. While looking through the viewfinder, half-press the shutter button. This will light up your exposure parameters at the bottom of the viewfinder. Use the front wheel, by the shutter button, to adjust the shutter speed. Adjusting the aperture with Rebels is a bit odd. You have to hold the Av[+/-] button down while turning the front wheel. What you are trying to accomplish with all these adjustments is centering the exposure meter in the bottom center of the viewfinder. For most shots, having the exposure meter centered is just fine. Sometimes, however, you don't want it centered. That is another lesson. Go practice. Enjoy your new camera.

Okay, i had been doing most of the tips presented in this thread. I guess i had always assumed that exposure could be changed directly. At least i dont have to worry about this particular 'issue' anymore and be able to fully focus on properly exposing using aperture, shutter speed, and iso. Thank you all!

BufordFZ1 wrote in post #14896242
lostear,

Below is a link to a Camera simulator website that lets you play with all the settings to better understand the effect of these changes to each setting on you camera. It will help you to understand the entire concept that each setting plays.

http://camerasim.com/c​amera-simulator/

paddler4 wrote in post #14896265
Manual means manual--you manually set everything. You set the ISO, shutter speed, and aperture. All the camera does is indicate whether your settings are on target, given the metering method you chose. That shows up at the bottom of the viewfinder. So manual allows YOU full control, rather than giving the camera control. All the other options give the camera some degree of control. E.g., with Tv mode, you set the ISO and shutter speed, and the camera selects the aperture.

Don't take this wrong, but I second the suggestion that you study the manual, which explains this, and read up on the exposure triangle if you don't already understand it.

I looked at the camera simulator. Nice little thing there. While it looks to be beneficial, I honestly think getting REAL practice with YOUR camera is much better. You will learn where all the buttons are without having to look for them, and you get real-world results you can see. Plus with digital it costs nothing to practice.

As suggested above, you do actually need to read the manual. More so if you are going to shoot manual exposure. I applaud you for going manual this early in your DSLR experience. It takes a lot of work and practice. Hand in there. It is worth it.

I go to a local river-walk park to shoot (with a camera) ducks, geese, squirrels and such quite frequently in nice weather. To me, it is much nicer to come across a fellow shooter with a Rebel, struggling to get it right, than it is to come across someone shooting a 5D2 or 7D in "green square mode". That is like watching your grandfather drive a Lamborghini to Walgreen's, at 23 mph, while riding the brakes. Much better to jump into that 1971 Pinto and drive it like you stole it.

lostear wrote in post #14896315
Okay, i had been doing most of the tips presented in this thread. I guess i had always assumed that exposure could be changed directly. At least i dont have to worry about this particular 'issue' anymore and be able to fully focus on properly exposing using aperture, shutter speed, and iso. Thank you all!

I am a bit confused by this. When you are in Manual mode, every change you make to aperture, shutter speed or ISO IS DIRECTLY CHANGING THE EXPOSURE. Pick up a copy of Understanding Exposure, please.

TSchrief wrote in post #14896345
To me, it is much nicer to come across a fellow shooter with a Rebel, struggling to get it right, than it is to come across someone shooting a 5D2 or 7D in "green square mode". That is like watching your grandfather drive a Lamborghini to Walgreen's, at 23 mph, while riding the brakes. Much better to jump into that 1971 Pinto and drive it like you stole it.

I like the analogy.

TSchrief wrote in post #14896350
I am a bit confused by this. When you are in Manual mode, every change you make to aperture, shutter speed or ISO IS DIRECTLY CHANGING THE EXPOSURE. Pick up a copy of Understanding Exposure, please.

OP is confusing "exposure compensation" with "exposure."

BufordFZ1 wrote in post #14896242
lostear,

Below is a link to a Camera simulator website that lets you play with all the settings to better understand the effect of these changes to each setting on you camera. It will help you to understand the entire concept that each setting plays.

http://camerasim.com/c​amera-simulator/

I just went back and played with the camera simulator. It seems odd that aperture has absolutely no effect on DOF. That is going to confuse people. Or at least mislead them.