Temporary exposure compensation

[gabrielaszalos]

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Hello friends,

I have been using an M11 Mono for a bit over a week now, and I have a small usability issue and question. I was wondering how you use this feature. I am very much used to center-weighted metering from my MP, and know when and how to compensate in order to get the look I want. The problem is that I only need compensation on occasion, depending on the shot, but when I set any exposure compensation it is sticky and stays for the next shots too. I try resetting it after each shot (which is tedious frankly - I wish there was a shortcut), but sometimes I forget. I was wondering how other users handle this scenario. Would love to hear. 

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[Stephen.s1]

Hello Gabriel,

You'll just have to get used to it.  Just off hand, I can't think of one camera that automatically resets exposure comp.

[Warton]

I have never heard/owned a camera that provides a function to let you choose "yes/no" to reset exposure compensation after each shot.

I have to say your request is uncommon

[gabrielaszalos]

I wasn't saying I'm requesting that. I was just wondering how other people handle this use case and how you work. Having the camera reset exposure compensation after a shot would be highly unusual, unexpected, and annoying. No camera does that. What I'm asking is how people usually reset it themselves. I find that checking exposure compensation before each shot is a waste of time, so I try to manually reset it myself after each shot. On the SL2-S this is much easier because there is a +/- indicator on the top display. On the M11, there is nothing like it - you have to look through the viewfinder. Alternatively, you can set up the thumbwheel to be exposure compensation when pressed, which shows you on the display. But it isn't great either. 

[Franka373]

If I am not mistaken the Hasselblad X2D does allow reset.  Please check me this. 

[lct]

You may wish to set up a user profile sans exp. comp.

[chris7273]

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I use the rear « click » wheel for exp comp. Easy to select and fast to set/reset 

[Marc B-C]

Whilst a Q2 user, not an M11, I have a user profile ("UP") set at -2/3 exp comp and adjust as required using the thumbwheel for each shot. My other UPs have no exp comp applied. I also only shoot RAW so can boost the shadows quite easily post when I do mess up.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Marc B-C

[ianforber]

Would using highlight weighted metering or multi field metering help? I have a M11 and use these now despite previously being a fan of centre weighted  metering 

Edited May 1, 2023 by ianforber

[elmars]

Best way to have full control and reset is completely manual metering.  

[neonvoid]

I agree that it's very easy to forget you have a non zero exposure compensation set.
It would help if it'd be permanently displayed in the viewfinder instead of needing to half-press the shutter release to see the compensation value.

[M11 for me]

vor 14 Minuten schrieb neonvoid:

It would help if it'd be permanently displayed in the viewfinder instead of needing to half-press the shutter release to see the compensation value.

Well, do not forget that you see a little red dot blinking. The value shows up when you half press as you stated. 

[LocalHero1953]

If the M11 had an EVF, you could meter quickly and accurately with the histogram and manual controls, or AE and the EC wheel. IMO, this is just one of those little compromises one has to accept with a rangefinder camera. 

Edited May 1, 2023 by LocalHero1953

[lct]

Works exactly the same in RF and EVF mode for me. Half press the shutter release and turn the EC wheel accordingly.

Edited May 1, 2023 by lct

[Stephen.s1]

To try to help you a bit; I rely on years of experience..  For instance; If there's an unusually bright area I'll dial down the exposure a bit... How much of a bit?   Thats where the experience comes in.  Being human and thus prone to error, I don't always immediately turn the exposure back up to the neutral setting. 

 

[Datsch]

@gabrielaszalos I had the same thoughts early in my M experience.

Now if I see 1/500th in the OVF and know that I want, say, 1/750th, then I just tilt up towards the sky a little, until 750 is showing, half press to exposure lock, recompose and click.

Takes about one second, nothing neeeds to be reset afterwards.

Edited May 1, 2023 by Datsch

[gabrielaszalos]

11 hours ago, Datsch said:

@gabrielaszalos I had the same thoughts early in my M experience.

Now if I see 1/500th in the OVF and know that I want, say, 1/750th, then I just tilt up towards the sky a little, until 750 is showing, half press to exposure lock, recompose and click.

Takes about one second, nothing neeeds to be reset afterwards.

This is nice. I do the same. But sometimes on the street, I may want to take a discreet photo and don't have time to pan around with the frame to lock the exposure, then the focus (in case I'm not using zone), then the framing. I may disturb the natural way of things or get noticed But I agree, this is good advice, and what I usually do. When I want to be discreet, I look at the target, I adjust the exposure compensation by feeling, and then simply raise the camera and shoot.

21 hours ago, elmars said:

Best way to have full control and reset is completely manual metering.  

I agree! This is how I shot my MP, that's why I never had this problem before The M11 just messes me up because of the additional ISO setting which I have to consider (or can consider). With film I did not have to factor ISO in. It just was what it was. Perhaps I can just set it and forget it and go full manual. I do like shooting manual more than anything. I guess that's why I like Leica

[Photoworks]

On 4/30/2023 at 2:50 PM, gabrielaszalos said:

when I set any exposure compensation it is sticky and stays for the next shots too. I try resetting it after each shot (which is tedious frankly

I would hate it to reverse after every shot! this is a deliberate correction. 

in the rangefinder you get an LED indicator to signal a compensation is active.

But this may address your issue.
you can set up your shot, hold a half-press shutter, just f-stop by whatever you want, and shoot. the expose will reset to normal for the next image. Just the f-stop has limitations on how much it can go, or how much you like it to change.

 

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[Datsch]

20 hours ago, Photoworks said:

hold a half-press shutter, just f-stop by whatever you want, and shoot.

Very nice tip, thank you! I am often at F11 anyway so going to F16 or F8 is not going to change the look / DOF of the image very much ...