Perfect exposure compensation is the ultimate goal of many photographers, and your Canon camera is capable of producing high-quality results. To get the best exposure, the lighting surrounding your subjects, background and foreground must be all taken into account. Exposure compensation problems may occur when one or more of those elements is too bright or too dark. Taking pictures in the best lighting, however, isn't always possible. That's where setting your Canon to the correct exposure matters most.
Evaluate Metering Compensation Conflicts
Canon Electro-Optical System cameras use the evaluate metering feature to take measurements from different areas of the scene. This works well for objects that are off-center or backlit; however, the camera can't distinguish exactly what kind of subject you're shooting. For example, it can't discern whether the subject is light or dark, and whether the lighting conditions are poor or bright, respectively. Additional compensation is needed, but when you combine exposure compensation with evaluative metering, you risk producing an overexposed picture due to some overlapping of compensation.
Different Buttons and Switches
Exposure compensation problems may occur because there's a learning curve for understanding how compensation buttons and switches work on specific Canon camera models. Once you become familiar with how your camera handles exposure compensation, you won't necessarily be able to transfer that setting knowledge easily to another Canon camera. That's because each model has variances in how its exposure compensation is set. For example, on the EOS-1D and other camera models, you first have to make sure the Quick Control Dial is switched to the "On" position, then turn the Quick Control Dial right for positive or left for negative compensation adjustments. On other EOS cameras, such as EOS 300D, you have to press and hold down the "+/-AV" button and then turn the Electric Input Dial to the right or left to make compensation adjustments. Therefore, starting over and practicing taking different shots is necessary when you switch cameras.
Custom Function Stop Variances
Several Canon camera models have varied rules on how you can use custom C.Fn.6 stop exposure compensation increments. For example, the EOS-1 film camera's Custom Function 6-0 option is equal to 1/3 stop increments, and its Custom Function 6-1 is equal to 1 stop increments. Compare that to the EOS-1N camera, where 6-0 is equal to 1/3 stop increments, but the stop increments for aperture and shutter speed can be set using the 6-1 option. In addition, the 6-2 option on the EOS-1N is used to set everything to 1/2 stop increments. Furthermore, the EOS DS30 digital camera has two exposure compensation custom function options: the Custom Function 4-0 for 1/3 stops and Custom Function 4-1 for 1/2 stops. These camera custom stop variances may make it difficult for you to remember properly set exposure compensation from camera to camera. There is always a learning curve when you switch cameras.
Tips and Considerations
An easy way to test exposure compensation is to take a few pictures of white and black objects. You've underexposed the picture if the white object appears gray or shadowy. The opposite is true if you take a picture of a black object and it appears gray -- it's overexposed, if that's the case. Of course, you can deliberately create under or overexposed pictures if that's the look you're going for. Testing your compensation levels enables you to take the appropriate adjustments to suit your needs. Also, stick with using one type of Canon model when taking a group of pictures, and always take a few test shots. When you upgrade cameras, allow yourself enough time to test its various compensation exposure settings before taking a multitude of pictures. In addition, although exposure compensation problems don't commonly happen due to outdated software, it's still a possibility. Visit the Canon website and download the latest drivers for your specific camera model.
Tags: exposure compensation, Custom Function, stop increments, Canon camera, camera models, compensation problems, equal stop