Just realized that the exposure compensation was set to -1/2...most of the pixs have been taken using full auto or one of the programmed image control modes...will these pix be exposed correctly or not? If not is there any way to "fix" these when developed? Thank!

Manish

-- manish merchant (clickpoint@hotmail.com), November 05, 2000

Answers

They will be underexposed 1/2 stop. 1/2 stop is not all that much really. If you used negative film for prints, the developer can just process normally and make the slight adjustment automatically. 1/2 stop fals easily into the exposure latitude of the film. No real need to even tell them about it. They'll look fine.

If you used slide film, they will all be a bit dark. You might consider having them developed at a pro lab and ask for a 1/2 stop push. Some photographers often under expose slide film a 1/3 stop to increase color saturation so maybe doing nothing is the better thing to do.

-- Jim Strutz (jimstrutz@juno.com), November 06, 2000.

In P, TV, AV or M, exposure comp may be enabled, so you may have some under exposure. Like the other poster said, a half stop under won't matter much for print film. However, if you used the green rectangle or any of the "pic" modes, exposure comp (& flash comp) is disabled, i.e., the camera ignores any prior EC setting. So, these images should be fine. If you spin the command dial back into the "creative zone" your prior EC setting is resumed (unless you cancel it).

-- Doggie Face (doggieface@aol.com), November 06, 2000.

Thanks! That helps..I have not idea where my manual went! SO..all the pix in PIC mode should be OK! The others will all be underexposed... I've read that many of the Elans underexpose the pix...and to compensate, you should change the ISO... is this also only in the creative modes, or will it also keep in PIC modes? Thanks.

-- Manish Merchant (clickpoint@hotmail.com), November 06, 2000.

Exposure meters vary so test your meter before changing ISO or using EC. Use the "Sunny F16 rule" to see if your meter is working correctly (on a sunny day at F16 the shutter speed is the reciprocal of the film's ISO). On a clear, sunny day take a meter reading of the blue sky, away from the sun or clouds. Set your camera to ISO 125 and enter F16 while in AV mode. If your meter is dead on, the resulting shutter speed should be 1/125 sec. If it is faster, you have an under exposure problem. If it is slower, you have an overexposure problem. Canon tends to favor a slight under exposure for better saturation of slide film. If you shoot negs a little under or over exposure doesn't matter.

Anyway, once you know how your meter responds, you can calibrate it by using the ISO setting or pay Canon to calibrate it via software.

The calibration of the meter is the same regardless of which camera mode or meter pattern you choose.

-- Doggie Face (doggieface@aol.com), November 07, 2000.