7D Mark II Exposure Level Indicator

Keith R wrote in post #17274969
It's not measuring (metering) anything, it's simply an indicator of the EC you've dialed in.

So the centre point is useless information? Does this not indicate what the system thinks is the correct exposure? Something has to be metering for people to shoot in P mode.

Sorry to be a pain but the guy who sold me an SLR 40 years ago that had only manual told me to adjust the settings until the meter was in the middle for your base exposure. I never really viewed that in any other way since then. I'm only asking because I find this interesting.

When using Live view on a 1DX, the meter is at the bottom. It's together with several other stuff, so that's probably why they didn't want to clutter yet another side of the image.

When pressing INFO button to show photographic information whilst shooting, it shows up to the right, though.

Keyan wrote in post #17274832
I would think the smaller viewfinder would make it easier to see as you don't have to look as far to the right to see it.

Of course there are no APS-C 1D bodies, most of the people who are making comments about it think this is a new thing unique to the 7D2 and don't realize it is on Canon's flagship line as well.

Not to say being smaller is the only difference.

digital paradise wrote in post #17275006
Does this not indicate what the system thinks is the correct exposure? Something has to be metering for people to shoot in P mode.

The exposure time and aperture displays shows what the system has measured as correct exposure. Well, and the ISO display, since with digital we can change that as we like.
But the graph just shows if the user has set the camera to create a standard exposure (when centered), or if the camera should deviate from this standard value and make the image darker or brighter.

Only in manual mode (M) is the scale actually a meter, because then it's you who adjust time and/or aperture to achieve standard exposure (or whatever deviation from that you like). Thus the process works backwards, i.e. you adjust time and aperture to achieve the meter position you like, instead of setting the meter position as you like it and the camera adjusts time and/or aperture for you.

Yes, I know, there's automatic ISO to involve in the process too nowadays, but it's complex enough without it...

apersson850 wrote in post #17275201
But the graph just shows if the user has set the camera to create a standard exposure (when centered), or if the camera should deviate from this standard value and make the image darker or brighter.

Thanks. It was what I figured. I basically ignore it in M when I meter of grass, grey card, etc but I knew it had to be telling me more that just how much I'm compensating.

In simple terms in M you set the shutter iso and aperture the meter is used to guide you off what to set .

It is only a guide though. From there you set it to how you want the shot to look by adjusting one of the 3 above.
Rob.

Not that I have a 7DII but I think that a lot of folk are not realising that unlike other Canon DSLR bodies, except the 1 series, Canon have separated the exposure compensation scale, used in automatic modes, and the read out system for the lightmetering in manual mode. The scales for both displays is very similar, hence I think Canon using the same display in both roles, depending on mode. I think this dual use has at times lead to confusion for many novice users.

As far as chasing the needle (to use an old phrase) if you are going to simply and consistently chase the meter to the center position, then you might as well use aperture or shutter priority. The camera will make a much better job of it than you ever will.

Alan

GyRob wrote in post #17275279
In simple terms in M you set the shutter iso and aperture the meter is used to guide you off what to set .

It is only a guide though. From there you set it to how you want the shot to look by adjusting one of the 3 above.
Rob.

Yep. I have been doing that forever. I still like to see what the meter says compared to what I want metered, which is sometimes impossible in a dark venue. I was just questioning the part about it not metering anything or not providing me with metering information. It did make sense to me but I may have just misread the earlier posts.

The 1DX doesn't separate metering and EC scale. They are the same, just vertical to the right. Also shows FEC. The space gained at the bottom is used to display the frame counter. That's not in the viewfinder on the 7D Mark II.

digital paradise wrote in post #17275295
Yep. I have been doing that forever. I still like to see what the meter says compared to what I want metered, which is sometimes impossible in a dark venue. I was just questioning the part about it not metering anything or not providing me with metering information. It did make sense to me but I may have just misread the earlier posts.

As you noted in another post, the M meter shows the same exposure info. as the semi-auto modes based on whatever metering settings you have. The difference is that in semi-auto you either go with what the camera says or use exposure compensation, whereas in M you either go with what the camera says or change the aperture/shutter speed yourself to make adjustments. One of the cool things about the 7DII is that auto ISO is really useful now in M, because you can do the settings you want and apply exposure compensation to the ISO to avoid it trying to put you back on the center of the metering scale. If you follow the ETTR approach, you won't want a centered metering, nor will you want a centered metering if the scene is throwing off the metering (e.g., very dark subject resulting in over-exposure or very bright/light subject resulting in under-exposure).

That was a nice addition to the 7D2.

GyRob wrote in post #17274785
well it is small but I have no problem seeing it, non at all I only shoot manual too so need to see it.

Rob.

Are you speaking about the 7D II or another camera. From my experience, I can see it to, but its a problem, you have to have your eye just in the right spot of VF to do so. You cant just put your eye up to it and see it.

With that said, I found the more I used it, you get more accustomed to finding the sweet spot to acheive seeing the meter.

Bianchi wrote in post #17275999
Are you speaking about the 7D II or another camera. From my experience, I can see it to, but its a problem, you have to have your eye just in the right spot of VF to do so. You cant just put your eye up to it and see it.

With that said, I found the more I used it, you get more accustomed to finding the sweet spot to acheive seeing the meter.

I agree with you - Bianchi.
You have high-lighted my main gripe. Apart from the dimness and semi-obscurity of the exposure scale I have to roll my eye off of the subject to make adjustments.
I am not a software engineer but surely a firmware upgrade could restore the exposure meter scale to the gap at the bottom of the VF in Manual mode.
It seems a good camera has a design problem for manual users.

Bianchi wrote in post #17275999
Are you speaking about the 7D II or another camera. From my experience, I can see it to, but its a problem, you have to have your eye just in the right spot of VF to do so. You cant just put your eye up to it and see it.

With that said, I found the more I used it, you get more accustomed to finding the sweet spot to acheive seeing the meter.

Yes the 7dmkII ,agree about were you put your eye but I just do that sort of naturally.

I am use to the idx so that may be why .

Rob.