Nikon Exposure Compensation

[naznomore_92]

I just purchased a Nikon L18 (yes I know it isn't a big flashy SLR, but I gotta start somewhere) and I must say that I am very pleased with it. I am kinda confused on how to use the exposure compensation. I tried to lighten my picture with it but they still seem the same. Do any of you seasoned Nikon vets have any advice for a new recruit on the best way to utilize this feature.

Naz

[Grandpaw]

I just purchased a Nikon L18 (yes I know it isn't a big flashy SLR, but I gotta start somewhere) and I must say that I am very pleased with it. I am kinda confused on how to use the exposure compensation. I tried to lighten my picture with it but they still seem the same. Do any of you seasoned Nikon vets have any advice for a new recruit on the best way to utilize this feature.

Naz

I am not familiar with this camera but if you change the compensation on the exposure you need to shoot in a manual mode for it to have an effect. If it is changed but you shoot in auto the results will not be any different, Jeff

[another view]

I am not familiar with this camera but if you change the compensation on the exposure you need to shoot in a manual mode for it to have an effect. If it is changed but you shoot in auto the results will not be any different, Jeff

Actually no, it's best in an automatic mode. The camera will figure exposure and then alter it by doing whatever exposure compensation you have set. You might use a "-" setting in a dark area to make the picture look dark, or use a "+" compensation if a lot of snow is in your shot to keep it white. Either of these situations without compensation may give you an ugly gray shot, so compensation can be a big help. Just be sure to put it back at "0" as soon as you're done with your shot.

I wouldn't recommend it with manual exposure, too much to remember!

[Grandpaw]

I should have wrote that the compensation adjustment only works in the A,P,S, and M modes. If you adjust the compensation and use any of the other modes it will not work, at least with my D80. Sorry about the confusion, I worded it wrong in my first reply. Jeff

In the first reply it should have read manual or priority modes instead of just saying manual :mad2:

[another view]

In the first reply it should have read manual or priority modes instead of just saying manual

...and I'm still stuck in the dark ages thinking that the "only" modes are P, S, A and M. I forget about the ones with the little icon on a lot of their cameras, so my post needs your clarification too.

Most of the time I shoot in "A" mode. There are some cases where even the best averaging metering system (like Nikon's Matrix or the Canon equivalent, etc) doesn't give the results you want. After some time with the camera you'll get to know if this is the case for you, and when you'll need to add 2/3 of a stop, etc by exposure compensation. It's a handy tool to have, and maybe you weren't seeing any results of it because you were in a mode that didn't support it - just a guess. Try "A" aperture priority mode with it, if your camera works this way.