Exposure Compensation in Manual Mode

Just a question. I searched the forums and checked the manual. However, I can't seem to find what effect exposure compensation would have while in manual mode. I'm fairly certain that adjusting the EV will alter the calculated shutter speed in Av mode, and will alter the calculated aperture while in Tv mode. In the very least, adjusting the EV in either Av or Tv mode will effect the metered exposure level (according to the little scale in the viewfinder).


My question is this: Exactly what effect does exposure compensation have, if any, while in Manual mode? I've made a conscious effort to start the whole learning process straight into full manual (I don't really use Tv or Av). So, am I missing out on a lot of the 30D's features by doing this? ie: Exposure compensation.



Thanks
-Kirk

Exposure compensation is changing time or aperture. So in manual it works exactly same way as in any of programs. While you are in TV mode for example you change aperture with compensation. For example if your time is 1/1000s and normal exposure would give you f4.0 then setting compensation to -1 it would change your aperture to f5.6 and setting it to +1 it would change your aperture to f2.8.
In program modes camera does this automaticaly while you are just setting compensation. In manual you do compensation by yourself. Changing aperture to f5.6 (from previous sample) it would mean compensation to -1, and setting aperture to f2.8 you would be actually setting compensation to +1.

There is no "Exposure Compensation" in Manual Mode since you adjust your aperture and shutter both as desired.

Thanks....That's what I was thinking, but couldn't find anything to confirm that.

However...
I've read in places saying that when taking pictures of "white bird in snow" to increase exposure compensation by +1 or +2 stops. I suppose what should be said is "use a shutter speed or aperture value +1 or +2 stops slower (shutter) or wider (aperture)." Does this make sense?
So, when in manual mode and say I were to meter off a "white bird in snow," should I just aim to combine shutter/aperture in such a way as to get the meter (in the viewfinder) to land +1 or +2 stops above the normal exposure level?

You've got it. If you want Exposure Compensation of +1, then your settings in M mode need to finish up with the 'needle' at +1.

David

EC as a term works just fine.

How EC works (ie: whether it tweeks the shuuter or the aperture) depends on the mode your in (AV or TV) Most birders are shooting AV.. (or manual) so when EC is applied then it's almost allways refering to a shutter speed change.

How you compensate in manual depends on your intent. What's important to you.. etc..
It's all part of knowing how to expose. Are you more concerned with shutter speed?,. do you want a larger DOF? or do you want to keep a narrow DOF.. ?

It varies shot to shot..
In your birding scenario.. were often looking to get as fast a shutter as possible on our long lenses... but we'd allready be at the widest aperture we could muster.. thus it's the shutter that usually gets the bump.

Thanks guys...that makes a lot more sense now. It's been puzzling me for a few days.

Now to try it out in the real world.

-Kirk

Don't foget that EC can also be done by a change of ISO. Canon just hasn't woken up to this fact yet.
Elie

How has Canon not "woken up to this fact" ..... ?
Explain, please ....

The three variables in exposure are aperture, shutter and film/chip sensitivity (ISO value).
Now that it is possible to change the ISO from shot to shot (and high ISO noise is less of a problem), it would be perfectly feasble for Canon (or anyone else) to produce an 'ISOv' auto mode to sit alongside Av and Tv, or to acheive exposure compensation by changing ISO.

Look, Chris ... I know that ... and I appreciate you explaining those "three variables" ...

But I'm asking tzalman specifically what was meant by the post ...

Are you answering for tzalman ?

There are very few cameras that don't allow you to change the ISO setting to a degree, even the P&S cameras. The more sophisticated the camera, the greater the degree of ISO adjustment you can make (and you probably know this!). But to apparently "blame" Canon for not putting ISO adjustment of 1/3 stop on every camera they make (and not just the "pro" bodies) seems ... uh .... crazy ?! As far as I know, the only cameras that allow that fine an ISO adjustment are the pro bodies from any manufacturer - be it Canon, Nikon, Fuji, Kodak, Olympus, etc. Most of the "pro-sumer" bodies (Canon's 10D, 20D for example) allow you to change ISO in full-stop increments, while the newer 30D does allow for that 1/3 stop ISO adjustment (and good for Canon that they put that advantage on the 30D). But if Canon hasn't "woken up", then neither have those "other" camera makers ....

The bottom line is that you can adjust exposure using the ISO settings, but with some camera bodies you have a little more fine tuning available than with other camera bodies. And maybe that's why Canon does have the EC dial available in 1/3 stops ..... but that EC dial won't have any effect if you're shooting in manual mode, which is what this thread was about.

Not speaking for anyone.
I presumed tzalman was commenting on which of the 3 variables the EC dial changes : none of the manufacturers opt for ISO.

What I meant was that it would be really nice if changing ISO were more easily and quickly done. Not in the menu, which is nearly invisble in sunlight and on my XT requires three operations, open menu, change setting, push "Set". Furthermore, why can't current ISO be displayed in the viewfinder and on the data LCD? Wouldn't it be nice to change ISO without lowering the camera from your eye? Can you imagine having to change f-stop and speed in the menu? My experience is limited to the XT/350D, so if the situation is better on other models I apologize to Canon.

An EV priority mode is almost too much to dream of.
Elie

I believe the 20, 30D, 5D, and all the 1 series cameras let you change the ISO the same way you can change the powerdrive, the metering, the AI Servo, etc. You don't need to go into the menu.

And with the 30D, you don't even need to take your eyes off the viewfinder.