5DIII Exposure Compensation - is this working properly?

Hi
I have a "setting exposure compensation question". Interested to know if I have a problem or this is how it works?

If I go to menu - Red camera 2, Expo. comp./AEB in Manual Mode [and in C1, C2, or C3 - which are all Manual mode 'derivatives']
I am unable to use the back wheel to dial in an exposure compensation setting. The Back wheel icon and the +/- icons are both 'greyed out'.

I can however use the top wheel to change the AEB setting [you can see the 3 markers, and the outer ones expand/contract - i.e. showing the selected bracketing- when turning the top wheel].

I note that the Manual on p.171 says " Exposure compensation can be set in "P/Tv/Av mode". It does works perfectly there; and also I can set the AEB setting too there with the top wheel.

Just checking I do not have a fault.
As I can appreciate the logic of:- "if one is in manual mode; you are selecting the parameters of your preference. So, if say the image is overexposed a little in relation to the centred view finder exposure meter, then either close down the aperture [higher F No.] or increase the shutter speed.

I was just a little confused why one can set AEB but not EC in Manual Mode.
Why do I want this:-
In my case I found in some low light situations [F2.8, ISO 160, SS 1/30] the camera's view finder exposure meter centres, but the images can be 2/3 to 1 stop under exposed for my taste.
OK that may be a little exaggerated; in that I chose 'spot metering' on a clear sparkly crystal punch bowl, situated in the path of sunshine through a window, and so its lighter in that part of the image than say the edges of the room.
Hence I'd rather dial in plus 2/3 EC than constantly have to adjust the shutter speed in relation to the VF Exposure meter, so it looked like overexposed by 2/3 of a stop.
I.e. with +2/3 EC dialled in if the meter was centred I am good to shoot.

But I'm really more interested to check this is working as it should! As I can work in a different way.
So if anyone with a 5DII could check, I would be very grateful.

Peter
[note I will not be able to respond for about 5 hours, as I have to visit mother in hospital - so no response is not a lack of interest in your replies]
Thanks Peter.

There is no EC for manual mode, because you choose all the settings yourself, it is only intended for the auto modes where it tells the camera to adjust exposure above or below the meter reading. In manual, you simply adjust one of the exposure parameters the amount you would adjust the EC, there is no point to EC itself.

If, as it sounds, you are aiming to always centre the meter in manual, you might as well use an auto mode as that would just do the same thing for you.

AEB works in manual because that is telling the camera to take three (or however many you select) shots at different exposures, based on your settings, then plus or minus as you set the exposure difference to be.

Yes, your camera is working properly. EC is not available(nor is it needed) in manual mode. You can however still bias the exposure by simply moving the meter needle to the right or left as you describe, but this is not usually called "Exposure Compensation".

The only time EC may be of use in "Manual" mode is when using AutoISO, which of course is actually an auto mode just like Av or Tv except in this case Av and Tv are the two fixed values. I believe that a new firmware for the 1Dx now finally allows this on at least on Canon DSLR.

Alan

AEB can still be used in manual mode, since it allows an automatic bracketing around the manually set exposure.

1DX with from firmware 2.0 allows for EC in manual mode, provided you have auto ISO selected.

sandpiper wrote in post #16675925
There is no EC for manual mode, because you choose all the settings yourself, it is only intended for the auto modes where it tells the camera to adjust exposure above or below the meter reading. In manual, you simply adjust one of the exposure parameters the amount you would adjust the EC, there is no point to EC itself.

If, as it sounds, you are aiming to always centre the meter in manual, you might as well use an auto mode as that would just do the same thing for you.

AEB works in manual because that is telling the camera to take three (or however many you select) shots at different exposures, based on your settings, then plus or minus as you set the exposure difference to be.

Thanks
Its what I suspected but good to know thats how it is.

rrblint wrote in post #16676064
Yes, your camera is working properly. EC is not available(nor is it needed) in manual mode. You can however still bias the exposure by simply moving the meter needle to the right or left as you describe, but this is not usually called "Exposure Compensation".

Thanks nice to know for sure the camera does not have a fault.

BigAl007 wrote in post #16676121
The only time EC may be of use in "Manual" mode is when using AutoISO, which of course is actually an auto mode just like Av or Tv except in this case Av and Tv are the two fixed values. I believe that a new firmware for the 1Dx now finally allows this on at least on Canon DSLR.

Alan

Interesting, might be a nice firmware upgrade one day!

apersson850 wrote in post #16677752
AEB can still be used in manual mode, since it allows an automatic bracketing around the manually set exposure.

1DX with from firmware 2.0 allows for EC in manual mode, provided you have auto ISO selected.

Thanks, What I suspected but nice to know my 5D3 is faultless.

Also that seems a cute enhancement - maybe it might filter down to the 5D3 in a future firmware upgrade.

Its not really a big thing, as I would rarely need it, and as everyone has said, its relatively simple to solve this little issue .

Think of 'exposure compensation' as the generic name of the PROCESS of biasing the meter reading, to give more/less exposure than would ordinarily be indicated by the meter...that process is applicable to the generic procedure of metering and exposure setting -- with or without any automation

Think of 'Exposure Compensation' as the Canon control which is available in some of the camera modes which are 'automatic'.