David_Manning
Well-known
I've been using my X100 in aperture-priority, auto-ISO and have been generally happy with the results.
After some inconsistent captures, I set the ISO manually, and then set my exposure manually via the meter in the OVF.
Yes, more consistent. Yes, slower. Yes, more Leica-like.
New life has been breathed into my X100. Instead of shooting like a p&s (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, because it's fast) it shoots like my M6 did. And that's great.
Happy to be returning to photographic roots...even if it was an accident that forced me.
By the way, I wish the X100 had half-stop or one third-stop clicks (I understand the new X-pro 1 does). In any case, I can under-expose by half or two-thirds stop (shooting RAW) and have great captures.
I guess I'm not as savvy as I thought, but just sharing my silly experiences...hope it helps someone else.
After some inconsistent captures, I set the ISO manually, and then set my exposure manually via the meter in the OVF.
Yes, more consistent. Yes, slower. Yes, more Leica-like.
New life has been breathed into my X100. Instead of shooting like a p&s (and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, because it's fast) it shoots like my M6 did. And that's great.
Happy to be returning to photographic roots...even if it was an accident that forced me.
By the way, I wish the X100 had half-stop or one third-stop clicks (I understand the new X-pro 1 does). In any case, I can under-expose by half or two-thirds stop (shooting RAW) and have great captures.
I guess I'm not as savvy as I thought, but just sharing my silly experiences...hope it helps someone else.
DtheG
Established
In manual exposure mode you can get 1/3 stop adjustment using the rear dial for shutter and the 'command control' for aperture.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Thanks! I didn't know that!
Like the OP, I also love using this camera in manual mode. And when I set it for manual focus and use the AFL button, its a superb zone-focused solution for street photography.
gavinlg
Veteran
Yep, manual mode for me too. It's so pleasant to use and so reliable I can't bring myself to use Av mode...
rbelyell
Well-known
''After some inconsistent captures, I set the ISO manually, and then set my exposure manually via the meter in the OVF.''
i must be a little dense because i'm not quite understanding the implications of this thread. are you fellas saying that using the cameras meter manually is somehow more accuate than using the cameras meter automatically? or are you saying you simply enjoy metering manually? or both?
i,m just very unsure how the same meter could be more accurate if set manually than automatically?
thanks
tony
i must be a little dense because i'm not quite understanding the implications of this thread. are you fellas saying that using the cameras meter manually is somehow more accuate than using the cameras meter automatically? or are you saying you simply enjoy metering manually? or both?
i,m just very unsure how the same meter could be more accurate if set manually than automatically?
thanks
tony
randomm
Well-known
I'm guessing what they're saying is that its easier to get the exposure one wants by using manual exposure instead of AE...
unixrevolution
Well-known
I'll vouch for that. Sometimes knowing what the camera "thinks" and comparing it to the scene, then choosing the exposure yourself is a lot better than letting the camera do what it thinks is right. If you have odd light, doing the correction in your head is a lot easier.
Unless you have a Pentax LX of course
Steve M.
Veteran
I'm guessing these cameras don't have AE-Lock? That's my fastest way of metering on other cameras, and it's as accurate as manual. Just lock exposure on the value you're after, focus, and shoot.
rbelyell
Well-known
actually it does have auto exposure lock that can be achieved at least two ways i know about, one is to set the cam to MF which has the effect of seperating out the 'focus' function and retaining the 'metering' function of half pressing the shutter. AF can still be achieved by thumb pressing the AFL button on the cam back. so its a simple focus/thumb press, meter/half shutter, frame and go.
I use mine in "manual mode" but with auto ISO. This way I get to choose the aperture and shutter speed I really want to use and let the ISO run up and down to compensate. I trust the high ISO enough on the Fuji in order to do this. I wouldn't do this on the M9.
David_Manning
Well-known
Good info here...thanks for everyone's input.
I didn't know about fine-tuning exposure via the wheel on the back. I'd still rather have in on the lens barrel. It's extremely difficult to use the back buttons and dials with gloves on, and maybe a bit less intuitive for me.
The crux of my "re-discovery" is that I sometimes get very different exposures using auto-metering (in my case, aperture-priority with auto-ISO) of the same scene when I'm moving around, or just shooting a series of shots of the same subject. When I manually meter (with a set ISO), each frame is exposed exactly the same, giving obviously great consistency between frames.
I assume the culprit is that the auto metering system (matrix, evaluative, or whatever Fuji calls it) gets fooled by subtle changes to the framing of a shot, even though they're similar.
I still prefer A-priority and auto-ISO indoors, especially using flash, but outdoors in the sun manual is great for me. The other on that throws the meter grossly is after sunset...if I shoot from a lower angle more sky is visible in the frame and the evaluative metering adjusts...so my subject goes dark.
I know this is really logically obvious stuff, but once I get caught up in the auto-technology, I forget the basics. The point of my post was that I suddenly "re-discovered" manual metering/exposure, and that it resembles my Leica of the past...which is a nice thing.
I didn't know about fine-tuning exposure via the wheel on the back. I'd still rather have in on the lens barrel. It's extremely difficult to use the back buttons and dials with gloves on, and maybe a bit less intuitive for me.
The crux of my "re-discovery" is that I sometimes get very different exposures using auto-metering (in my case, aperture-priority with auto-ISO) of the same scene when I'm moving around, or just shooting a series of shots of the same subject. When I manually meter (with a set ISO), each frame is exposed exactly the same, giving obviously great consistency between frames.
I assume the culprit is that the auto metering system (matrix, evaluative, or whatever Fuji calls it) gets fooled by subtle changes to the framing of a shot, even though they're similar.
I still prefer A-priority and auto-ISO indoors, especially using flash, but outdoors in the sun manual is great for me. The other on that throws the meter grossly is after sunset...if I shoot from a lower angle more sky is visible in the frame and the evaluative metering adjusts...so my subject goes dark.
I know this is really logically obvious stuff, but once I get caught up in the auto-technology, I forget the basics. The point of my post was that I suddenly "re-discovered" manual metering/exposure, and that it resembles my Leica of the past...which is a nice thing.
rbelyell
Well-known
so dave what youre saying is you manually meter per your own assessment, not in conjunction with the cameras 'cue' via vf-visible meter, correct? or are you saying you that the 'cue' given by the meter in manual mode is more accurate than the meter in auto mode?
David_Manning
Well-known
I like the consistency of using just the linear cue on the left side of the OVF. I'll adjust that basic exposure (which is just brightness) depending upon my frame.
I'm talking about using just the camera's basic reflective metering.
I'm talking about using just the camera's basic reflective metering.
rbelyell
Well-known
ok, thanks. ive got to try that out. obviously youve found the cam meters differently in manual vs auto, so ive got to give that a whirl. thanks for bearing with me til i got it!
tony
tony
thegf
Established
i'm the opposite. i find that i could not get the meter readings to a point where i got accurate exposure (to my liking). i started using aperture priority (with manual ISO), and i couldn't be happier.
jazzwave
Well-known
Otherwise, you can shot with Aperture priority on RAW.
Later you can adjust as you like ;+1,+2 or -1,-2 in Photoshop.
This solution for somebody lazy like me, who don't want miss the object/moment because busy set up aperture when good object pass in front of me...
"Of all the means of expression, photography is the only one that fixes a precise moment in time. We play with subjects that disappear; and when they’re gone, it’s impossible to bring them back to life. We can’t alter our subject afterward.... Writers can reflect before they put words on paper.... As photographers, we don’t have the luxury of this reflective time....We can’t redo our shoot once we’re back at the hotel. Our job consists of observing reality with help of our camera (which serves as a kind of sketchbook), of fixing reality in a moment, but not manipulating it, neither during the shoot nor in the darkroom later on. These types of manipulation are always noticed by anyone with a good eye." - Henri Cartier-Bresson - "American Photo", September/October 1997, page: 76
Later you can adjust as you like ;+1,+2 or -1,-2 in Photoshop.
This solution for somebody lazy like me, who don't want miss the object/moment because busy set up aperture when good object pass in front of me...
"Of all the means of expression, photography is the only one that fixes a precise moment in time. We play with subjects that disappear; and when they’re gone, it’s impossible to bring them back to life. We can’t alter our subject afterward.... Writers can reflect before they put words on paper.... As photographers, we don’t have the luxury of this reflective time....We can’t redo our shoot once we’re back at the hotel. Our job consists of observing reality with help of our camera (which serves as a kind of sketchbook), of fixing reality in a moment, but not manipulating it, neither during the shoot nor in the darkroom later on. These types of manipulation are always noticed by anyone with a good eye." - Henri Cartier-Bresson - "American Photo", September/October 1997, page: 76
gavinlg
Veteran
I think you might be on a different point than the OP - I don't think he's suggesting that the camera meters differently in manual vs auto (because it doesn't!), I think he's just saying that he's enjoying shooting in full manual mode rather than letting the camera make exposure decisions for him.
rbelyell
Well-known
thanks gavin. that was my original question, as well as my intuitive inclination. i appreciate your clearing that up.
tony
Archiver
Veteran
I've only just tried manual exposure on the X100, and it kind of bugs me that the actual exposure is not visible on the screen until after you've taken the photo. The image in liveview remains the same brightness regardless of what shutter speed you select. Is there a way around this, or is it just a design quirk of the X100?
gavinlg
Veteran
if you shoot aperture priority and enable the live histogram in OVF mode, you can see the exposure based on the histogram in real time. Doesn't work in manual though.