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Is it possible to do this ?Toggle between two EV compensation values by button press.  Rating:  Rating
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Posted by jk: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 11:54 1st Post
Is it possible to do this ?

OK I work with two basic EV compensation modes when shooting birds.

I need to have +1.7EV for shooting flying birds so I get good detail in the underwing areas.   This is essentially against the light shooting.

I need to have -0.3EV for shooting birds in/on bushes.  This is a normal shooting compensation that I would use

Yes I could work with two cameras set differently but then I need to duplicate the lenses used.



I guess what I really want is a custom button that switches between the two EV values.

I know there is a bracketing option but I dont want this, I want a button I press that toggles between the two values.



1. Does anyone know a camera that offers this option ?
2. Is it possible on a Nikon ?
3. Other solutions other than to change the EV manually which is just a complete PITA.



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Posted by Eric: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 14:07 2nd Post
jk wrote:
Is it possible to do this ?

OK I work with two basic EV compensation modes when shooting birds.

I need to have +1.7EV for shooting flying birds so I get good detail in the underwing areas.   This is essentially against the light shooting.

I need to have -0.3EV for shooting birds in/on bushes.  This is a normal shooting compensation that I would use

Yes I could work with two cameras set differently but then I need to duplicate the lenses used..

I guess what I really want is a custom button that switches between the two EV values.

I know there is a bracketing option but I dont want this, I want a button I press that toggles between the two values.



1. Does anyone know a camera that offers this option ?
2. Is it possible on a Nikon ?
3. Other solutions other than to change the EV manually which is just a complete PITA.

Mental block....can't you use custom settings on Nikon for this?

OR

Shoot raw at +0.7 for everything and batch adjust up or down 1stop using a CS action.

;-)



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Posted by amazing50: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 15:29 3rd Post
On the D600 this doesn't seem possible, another firmware goof.

You might try "easy exposure compensation" Page 225 of the manual which allows the EV to be set with the command dial alone. Caution is advised as you lose other functions.

Also Active D-Lighting can be set to increase the shadow areas and pull down highlights automatically, might take some experimenting.



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Posted by jk: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 17:22 4th Post
Eric i want to expose all images correctly.
If I had a button that allowed me to switch between two distinctly separate EV settings then I would be happy.

I would only expect this feature to be present on top end professional cameras but it is not difficult to implement in all.



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Posted by jk: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 17:23 5th Post
amazing50 wrote:
On the D600 this doesn't seem possible, another firmware goof.

You might try "easy exposure compensation" Page 225 of the manual which allows the EV to be set with the command dial alone. Caution is advised as you lose other functions.

Also Active D-Lighting can be set to increase the shadow areas and pull down highlights automatically, might take some experimenting.

I havent noticed that.
Thanks I will look at the manual to see if it does what I need.



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Posted by jk: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 18:05 6th Post
Had a look at the manual, no that doesnt provide what I want/need.
I dont think the feature is there.

Seems like I need to put in a Firmware enhancement request.



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Posted by Eric: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 18:33 7th Post
jk wrote:
Eric i want to expose all images correctly.
If I had a button that allowed me to switch between two distinctly separate EV settings then I would be happy.

I would only expect this feature to be present on top end professional cameras but it is not difficult to implement in all.

Spot metering on fn button?



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Posted by TomOC: Wed Feb 5th, 2014 22:47 8th Post
How about setting EV to 1/3 stops and then just shoot knowing you must click down 3 clicks or up 3 clicks for next shot?

lYou could do this with Fuji custom settings and use the Q button to switch but this really isn't better than just clicking the EV comp button 3 times (which you don't have to look at screen to do)



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Posted by jk: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 04:35 9th Post
That would work but when you are shooting birds then you only have a very short time to react. I need a one button push to be able to switch between EV settings.
To change the EV compensation on the Nikon you need to hold down the EV and turn the dial. Takes too long.



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Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 06:22 10th Post
jk wrote: That would work but when you are shooting birds then you only have a very short time to react. I need a one button push to be able to switch between EV settings.
To change the EV compensation on the Nikon you need to hold down the EV and turn the dial. Takes too long.
With current firmware options, the only suggestiond I can offer is (as previously mentioned) exposure adjustment on raw converter or bracketing and ditching 2 shots.

If the bracketing function was capable of a 2EV range it would waste just 1 shot...but at moment (on my D3 at least) its a max on 1EV.

I have often wondered why the bracketing ON/OFF wasnt a firmware based operation that could be put on the Customs setting.

So for example.... the Fn buttom might be assigned to Bracketing on and off ...rather than just Bracketing Burst.

The way it is at the moment where you have to physically switch bracketing on and off witht he range settings is too slow....and leads to you forgetting bracketing has been left on!!!!















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Posted by amazing50: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 11:11 11th Post
Eric wrote: If the bracketing function was capable of a 2EV range it would waste just 1 shot...but at moment (on my D3 at least) its a max on 1EV. I have often wondered why the bracketing ON/OFF wasnt a firmware based operation that could be put on the Customs setting. So for example.... the Fn buttom might be assigned to Bracketing on and off ...rather than just Bracketing Burst. The way it is at the moment where you have to physically switch bracketing on and off witht he range settings is too slow....and leads to you forgetting bracketing has been left on!!!!
The D600 gives +-3EV 

Setting the Continuous shooting mode to 3 and the CL to 5 fps will give 3 quick bracketed shots just pressing the shutter once and when disabling it the BKT can be set to zero

All bracketing choices require one normal metered shot so for jk's situation three shot bursts would be required.



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Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 13:21 12th Post
amazing50 wrote:
Eric wrote: If the bracketing function was capable of a 2EV range it would waste just 1 shot...but at moment (on my D3 at least) its a max on 1EV. I have often wondered why the bracketing ON/OFF wasnt a firmware based operation that could be put on the Customs setting. So for example.... the Fn buttom might be assigned to Bracketing on and off ...rather than just Bracketing Burst. The way it is at the moment where you have to physically switch bracketing on and off witht he range settings is too slow....and leads to you forgetting bracketing has been left on!!!!
The D600 gives +-3EV 

Setting the Continuous shooting mode to 3 and the CL to 5 fps will give 3 quick bracketed shots just pressing the shutter once and when disabling it the BKT can be set to zero

All bracketing choices require one normal metered shot so for jk's situation three shot bursts would be required.


No, I meant the EV step size. ...0.3, 0.7 and 1.0EV... not the number of 'F'rames.
If there was a 2.0 EV option JK would only need to do 2shots, by setting the exp comp to -0.3 and setting the bracket to +2F ...ie 0 and +2.0.



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Posted by amazing50: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 15:14 13th Post
Eric wrote: No, I meant the EV step size. ...0.3, 0.7 and 1.0EV... not the number of 'F'rames.
If there was a 2.0 EV option JK would only need to do 2shots, by setting the exp comp to -0.3 and setting the bracket to +2F ...ie 0 and +2.0.

There is a 2.0 EV option and it works by setting the the comp to -.3 with a 2 shot bracket.

I just tried it out my front door 2 shots no comp and 2 at -.3 and the shutter speeds confirmed the difference.

Since we had about 30cm of snow last night there is a lot of white in the pix  :-)



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Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 15:26 14th Post
amazing50 wrote:
Eric wrote: No, I meant the EV step size. ...0.3, 0.7 and 1.0EV... not the number of 'F'rames.
If there was a 2.0 EV option JK would only need to do 2shots, by setting the exp comp to -0.3 and setting the bracket to +2F ...ie 0 and +2.0.

There is a 2.0 EV option and it works by setting the the comp to -.3 with a 2 shot bracket.

I just tried it out my front door 2 shots no comp and 2 at -.3 and the shutter speeds confirmed the difference.

Since we had about 30cm of snow last night there is a lot of white in the pix  :-)

Interesting...must be different to the D3.

The only way I can get the 2EV difference is to set the Exp Comp to -0.3 and select the +3F option, with the 1EV setting.

This takes 3shots.... -0.3, +0.7, +1.7



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Posted by jk: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 16:58 15th Post
But you are using exposure bracketing which means taking many images.

I want a situation where I can rapidly change from when a bird is on the bush (-0.3EV) then flies off (+1.7EV).

I could set the camera to do a flat exposure and then pull up the shadow area for the birds in flight.
I was hoping that Jeff (Blackfox) would have been able to answer this as this is his line of interest but he has not posted.



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Posted by Eric: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 17:37 16th Post
jk wrote:
But you are using exposure bracketing which means taking many images.

I want a situation where I can rapidly change from when a bird is on the bush (-0.3EV) then flies off (+1.7EV).

I could set the camera to do a flat exposure and then pull up the shadow area for the birds in flight.
I was hoping that Jeff (Blackfox) would have been able to answer this as this is his line of interest but he has not posted.

I realise that... and understand the implications.

But there doesn't seem to be another option available apart from...

1. Bracketing
2. Manually turning dials
3. Post processing from an average.
4. Having two bodies
5. Spot metering
6. Lobby Nikon for a digital exp comp switch.


Ok try this ....

Set the camera exp comp to -3
Set custom setting B4 to ON
Set custom setting B3 to 1

This removes the need to hold the Exp Comp button down and makes the increment 1stop.

All you need to do is turn the thumb dial two clicks!

:thumbsup:



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Posted by jk: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 19:09 17th Post
Eric wrote: jk wrote: But you are using exposure bracketing which means taking many images. I want a situation where I can rapidly change from when a bird is on the bush (-0.3EV) then flies off (+1.7EV). I could set the camera to do a flat exposure and then pull up the shadow area for the birds in flight. I was hoping that Jeff (Blackfox) would have been able to answer this as this is his line of interest but he has not posted. I realise that... and understand the implications. But there doesn't seem to be another option available apart from... 1. Bracketing 2. Manually turning dials 3. Post processing from an average. 4. Having two bodies 5. Spot metering I discounted the above in my thoughts and testing. Eric wrote:  6. Lobby Nikon for a digital exp comp switch.
This seems like a very useful thing to do but at present I think that I need to make sure there is not viable alternative. BTW:  On the top Canon body 1DX this is apparently possible by using the customisation of buttons.

Eric wrote:     Ok try this ....
Set the camera exp comp to -3
Set custom setting B4 to ON
Set custom setting B3 to 1

This removes the need to hold the Exp Comp button down and makes the increment 1stop.
All you need to do is turn the thumb dial two clicks!
:thumbsup:


It works!

What I needed to do is to ...
Set the camera exp comp to +2
Set custom setting B4 to ON
Set custom setting B3 to 1

The when I move the rear command dial two clicks left it gives me 0EV and two right from that gives me  +2EV back.

Problem solved.

I think this is what Amazing50 was suggesting that I do the other day. 

So a big Thank You to both Eric and Amazing50 for their thoughts on this.

I have never used Easy Compensation before. 
Very useful but I need to test more and see how it works in real use.

I still think that a customisable button that toggles EV compensation in/out is the best solution.



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Posted by jk: Thu Feb 6th, 2014 19:22 18th Post
BTW: The settings here are for a D3 or D3S.

The values (e.g. B3, B4) of the menu numbers are different in D600 and D800!!



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Posted by jk: Fri Feb 7th, 2014 06:29 19th Post
Been seeing which cameras this can be applied to.
It will work on D3, D3S, D800, D700 and D300.

D600 is a bit useless as the EV step value is either 1/3 or 1/2 stop with no 1 stop offered but the principle can be applied it just means more clicks of the rear command dial.

I was thinking about this late last night and I think I  can use the MemoryBanks as well but I then need a Fn switch set up to swap between the A and B memory banks.



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2014 06:50 20th Post
jk wrote: Eric wrote: jk wrote: But you are using exposure bracketing which means taking many images. I want a situation where I can rapidly change from when a bird is on the bush (-0.3EV) then flies off (+1.7EV). I could set the camera to do a flat exposure and then pull up the shadow area for the birds in flight. I was hoping that Jeff (Blackfox) would have been able to answer this as this is his line of interest but he has not posted. I realise that... and understand the implications. But there doesn't seem to be another option available apart from... 1. Bracketing 2. Manually turning dials 3. Post processing from an average. 4. Having two bodies 5. Spot metering I discounted the above in my thoughts and testing. Eric wrote:  6. Lobby Nikon for a digital exp comp switch.
This seems like a very useful thing to do but at present I think that I need to make sure there is not viable alternative. BTW:  On the top Canon body 1DX this is apparently possible by using the customisation of buttons.

Eric wrote:     Ok try this ....
Set the camera exp comp to -3
Set custom setting B4 to ON
Set custom setting B3 to 1

This removes the need to hold the Exp Comp button down and makes the increment 1stop.
All you need to do is turn the thumb dial two clicks!
:thumbsup:


It works!

What I needed to do is to ...
Set the camera exp comp to +2
Set custom setting B4 to ON
Set custom setting B3 to 1

The when I move the rear command dial two clicks left it gives me 0EV and two right from that gives me  +2EV back.

Problem solved.

I think this is what Amazing50 was suggesting that I do the other day. 

So a big Thank You to both Eric and Amazing50 for their thoughts on this.

I have never used Easy Compensation before. 
Very useful but I need to test more and see how it works in real use.

I still think that a customisable button that toggles EV compensation in/out is the best solution.
I thought you wanted +1.7 and -0.3?

Thats why I said set the Exp comp to -3.  o.O




Crazy thing is...I have always had easy compensation set on the camera....and I still forget and use the button as well.


:banghead:



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Posted by jk: Fri Feb 7th, 2014 08:35 21st Post
I did want +1.7 and -0.3EV but if I use 0 and +2.0 it works out that I am doing only two clicks on the dial and I get my result.

I did try your setting but it gave me -3 and then -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 which meant more clicks. Also 0 give a safer situation for change.


I usually use Aperture priority so in Shooting mode the rear command dial is unused! Maybe I need to use Easy Compensation all the time rather than have it in My Menu items.



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2014 11:37 22nd Post
jk wrote:
I did want +1.7 and -0.3EV but if I use 0 and +2.0 it works out that I am doing only two clicks on the dial and I get my result.

I did try your setting but it gave me -3 and then -2, -1, 0, +1, +2 which meant more clicks. Also 0 give a safer situation for change.


I usually use Aperture priority so in Shooting mode the rear command dial is unused! Maybe I need to use Easy Compensation all the time rather than have it in My Menu items.

B*gger. Can't win!

I thought it would hold the -0.3 setting and do +1 and + 2 from that start point!
:banghead:



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Posted by Eric: Fri Feb 7th, 2014 11:57 23rd Post
Ok...not going to be beaten......

Set B3 to 1
Set B4 to ON
Set B6 (whichever metering system you use) to -2/6th

This should slew the metering system to underexpose by 0.3 stop... So your 0 and +2 shots will be -0.3 and +1.7

;-)

NB make a note to reset B6 when you have finished birding!!



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Posted by Eric: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 07:59 24th Post
Eric wrote:
Ok...not going to be beaten......

Set B3 to 1
Set B4 to ON
Set B6 (whichever metering system you use) to -2/6th

This should slew the metering system to underexpose by 0.3 stop... So your 0 and +2 shots will be -0.3 and +1.7

;-)

NB make a note to reset B6 when you have finished birding!!


Did you try this exposure meter change, Jonathan?



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Posted by jk: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 08:27 25th Post
Yes I did try it out and it does the change correctly but I thought that the lack of the EV icon is a hazard (as I will probably forget that it is set) so I will use your first method as really sometimes the ground shots are -0.3EV but if they are in/on a bush then it is 0.0 and then against the sky it is +1.7 or +2.0EV.

So really the 0.0 and +2.0 will work fine for me.
Thanks for all your help with this.



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Posted by Eric: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 09:25 26th Post
jk wrote:
Yes I did try it out and it does the change correctly but I thought that the lack of the EV icon is a hazard (as I will probably forget that it is set) so I will use your first method as really sometimes the ground shots are -0.3EV but if they are in/on a bush then it is 0.0 and then against the sky it is +1.7 or +2.0EV.

So really the 0.0 and +2.0 will work fine for me.
Thanks for all your help with this.

Just to push that point a little further....

I presume you could have the metering shift on a dedicated Custom bank (B for birding?) So as long as you remember to shift back to A at the end of the day it's less of an issue not having a warning icon....perhaps.

Strange thing is...after all this time you still learn about features you never knew the camera had!

It's the obvious way to set the camera metering up or down if you find you need a permanent change in the default setting.

For years I set the exp comp down 0.3 on the D1X and D2X which always had to be reset after using bracketing. Don't know if they had that feature or whether it came with the D3?



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Posted by blackfox: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 10:50 27th Post
just picked up on this jonathon ,i always used easy exposure composition on mine ,it must be there in the menu but might be hidden .it changes it to the rear dial and you don't need to press anything else ,once used to it its simply a quick thumb movement without taking your eye away from the viewfinder .
canons have it on the rear command dial to as standard



Posted by Doug: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 11:19 28th Post
blackfox wrote:

canons have it on the rear command dial to as standard

Yes, combined with how easy it is to spin that wheel it results in exposure problems for many novice canon slr users

When they know better they can turn the feature off or use the command dial lock.



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Posted by jk: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 16:18 29th Post
Well it is good to find out that some of these bells and twiddles are useful.
:-)



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Posted by jk: Sun Feb 9th, 2014 17:57 30th Post
Eric wrote:

Strange thing is...after all this time you still learn about features you never knew the camera had!


Yes indeed but when I get a new camera the first thing I do is to set it up just like all my other ones!

Always good to learn new tricks.



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Posted by amazing50: Mon Feb 10th, 2014 00:37 31st Post
Forgot to turn off the bracketing in single exposure, from my experiments earlier in the week.

Will have to play around with todays shots.



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Posted by jk: Mon Feb 10th, 2014 05:32 32nd Post
Yes I had that problem when I was abroad with my D300. The Bracketing had got switched on and I couldnt work out why my image were being exposed differently all the time.
It was only when I looked at the EXIF details when I got home that I realised what was happening!!!



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