Is there a way to Direct Access exposure compensation in Auto-ISO?

[Na har]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi All,

 

Is it possible to have direct access to exposure compensation (via rear click wheel) on a Leica SL when it is in Auto-ISO and in Manual mode with an M lens?

 

I have the 2.1 firmware installed, and best I can figure out is that I need to press any one of the configurable buttons to bring up the exposure compensation dialog, and only then I can use the back click wheel to do the exposure compensation.

For speedy operation I would like to go directly to the rear click wheel. Anyone know a way? 

 

I'm guessing the two-press way is designed to prevent accidentally changing the exposure compensation, but sometimes one needs a fast way to adjust the exposure and besides I find the click wheel is rather well protected from accidental shifting.

 

When in auto-ISO, in manual mode and with an M lens it would seem the rear click wheel is neutralized?   

 

Thanks for any advice...

 

NaHar

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[meerec]

Makes no sense, to me, in manual exposure mode.

[ramarren]

No, in Manual exposure mode the functions of the two dials is dedicated to direct aperture (rear) and exposure time (top), regardless of whether you are using a dedicated or an adapted manual lens. When using an adapted manual lens, the rear dial is not enabled for any other functions (other than switching exposure mode by clicking it first). 

 

To use exposure compensation in Manual setting, you must use AutoISO (achieving what Pentax refers to as "TAv" exposure mode *) and you must enter EC setting mode before either dial or the joystick can adjust the exposure compensation value. I assign the EC Compensation function to the upper-right button to make this easy to achieve. 

 

* TAv mode means "set a time and aperture, and allow the ISO to vary between the upper and lower range limit settings to achieve proper exposure". It's a useful exposure mode for some situations, but you have to be careful that for whatever combination of time and aperture, you have enough ISO range to hit a proper exposure or you'll get over or underexposure. I have not tested this recently, but I seem to recall that this was the only mode that the lower AutoISO range limit actually worked correctly for, but I could be wrong about that. 

 

With any fixed ISO setting, the Exposure Compensation setting in Manual exposure mode only affects the display brightness, not the actual exposure being made. While useful, you have to be careful to watch the exposure scale indicator to be certain you have correct exposure and not depend on display brightness. 

[Na har]

Thanks ramarren for the detailed answer,

and especially for the tip re exposure compensation in manual when using a fixed ISO. I did not know that.

 

So same as you, I have assigned the Exposure Compensation function to the top right button because it is the easiest to reach when shooting. (and as an experiment also did the same with the bottom right button, thinking that I could use a bigger "target" if I'm heavily into a shoot. Not sure this is necessary, but trying it out)

 

Interestingly, when in Aperture Priority mode, (and auto ISO, adapted manual lens) the top dial functions as direct exposure compensation, but I find it is ergonomically inconvenient due to the need to lift my finger from the shutter release button to rotate the top dial. I wish there was an option to swap the 2 dials, or perhaps have a sixth finger transplanted...

 

Cheers,

NaHar

[ramarren]

On my Olympus E-M1 and E-1, I intentionally assign the top (front) dial for Exposure Compensation setting. Why? Because as soon as the metering is active, rolling it with my index finger adjusts the exposure and I don't need my fingertip on the shutter release then. I need my finger on the shutter release when I want to lock in an exposure setting and make the exposure.

 

(Of course, an alternative is to use your middle finger on the shutter release and index finger on the top dial. Although this seems awkward and prone to mischief at first, within three minutes of doing it I was perfectly comfortable with it and it felt natural. It also depends on the size of your fingers and your manual dexterity, I imagine.)

 

It would be nice if Leica gave the configuration option to set up the dials the way Olympus does, but there might be some underlying assumptions in the hardware that are difficult to program around and it does add more stuff to the menus that users have to understand how to use. I'm almost always using Aperture priority or Manual exposure modes, and I use manual lenses a good bit of the time, so the way they've got it set up works fine for me with direct EC control on the top dial. But I've had it the other way, unchangeable, on other cameras and my fingers adapt quickly enough.

 

Remember: machines are rather inflexible, human minds and fingers are very adaptable... :-)