Tips >
Exposure > Manual Exposure
When using the Manual (M) exposure mode, you select both the
lens opening and shutter speed.
Confusion
Don't confuse manual exposure, the M on the exposure
mode dial, with manual focus, the M on or near your lens.
Number Line
There's a "number line" in the viewfinder and on the LCD screen.
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"Correct"
As you change the lens opening or shutter speed, a tiny black
or green dot moves back-and-forth below the number line.
When the dot is below 0, that's the "correct" exposure.
Correct is in quotes because you may want to move the dot elsewhere
on the number line.
You may want to intentionally over- or underexpose a photograph.
Underexposing
For example, let's say you're photographing the Grand Canyon.
If you want to make the colors more vivid, move the dot to the
minus side of the number line.
You're underexposing.
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Overexposing
Let's say you're photographing a tapestry in a
chateau in France.
The room is dark, with a bright window.
The light meter in your camera "sees" the bright window
light, and sets the exposure for the window.
The tapestry too dark.
The best solution is to use flash.
But, you can't use flash because it will fade the
tapestry.
So you "overexpose" the scene.
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Setting the First Variable
Set either the lens
opening or the
shutter speed, first.
Make sure the exposure mode is set to Manual (M).
If you want to set the lens opening first, do the following.
1) Set the ISO for one of the three situations on the table
below.
2) Set lens opening using the values, below, for that
situation.
DSLR
If your camera has one knob, press and hold the button with
the aperture icon, and move the knob.
If your camera has two knobs, move the knob that controls the
lens opening.
Point-and-shoot
Check the instruction manual for how to change the lens
opening.
| ISO |
800 or 1600 |
400 |
200 |
| Lens Opening |
f/4* |
f/8 |
f/16** |
* Use f/1.4, f/1.8, f/2.0, f/2.8 if your lens has the setting.
** Use f/8 if you're using a point-and-shoot camera.
Once you set the lens opening, you can ignore it unless the
brightness of the light changes.
You only have to change the shutter speed.
3) Press the shutter release halfway down to turn on the
light meter.
4) Point your camera at the scene and turn the knob to move
the black or green dot on the number line.
DSLR
If your camera has one knob, it usually controls the shutter
speed.
If your camera has two knobs, move the knob that controls the
shutter speed.
Point-and-shoot
Check the instruction manual for how to change the shutter
speed.
5) Position the black or green dot under 0 on the number
line.
6) Press the shutter release all the way down.
Once you're more familiar with setting the exposure manually,
you can vary the settings from the above values.
You can also use the settings in the
Light
Values Chart.
If you want to set the shutter speed first, do the following.
1) Set the ISO for one of the three situations on the table
below.
2) Set shutter speed using the values, below, for that
situation.
DSLR
If your camera has one knob, it usually controls the shutter
speed.
If your camera has two knobs, move the knob that controls the
shutter speed.
Point-and-shoot
Check the instruction manual for how to change the shutter
speed.
| ISO |
800 or 1600 |
400 |
200 |
| Shutter Speed |
1/60th |
1/60th |
250th |
Once you set the shutter speed, you can ignore it unless the
brightness of the light changes.
You only have to change the lens opening.
3) Press the shutter release halfway down to turn on the
light meter.
4) Point your camera at the scene and turn the knob to move
the black or green dot on the number line.
DSLR
If your camera has one knob, press and hold the button with
the aperture icon, and move the knob.
If your camera has two knobs, move the knob that controls the
lens opening.
Point-and-shoot
Check the instruction manual for how to change the shutter
speed.
5) Position the black or green dot under 0 on the number
line.
6) Press the shutter release all the way down.
Once you're more familiar with setting the exposure manually,
you can vary the settings from the above values.
You can also use the settings in the
Light
Values Chart.
