Using the built in light meter on my 40D

06/25/2009 11:22:27 AM · #1

From what I read if I was to press the shutter button halfway down, as if to auto focus, and look at the little sliding meter at the bottom the screen, it would indicate what I should adjust the flash compensation to. However, I always get the little flashing symbol at -2. I have only tried it a few times here in my house, but I also turned lights on and off and tried shining a flashlight directly at the camera and it still showed up the same. I tried the -2 setting and of course the pics were well underexposed. Am I looking at the wrong things? Doing something wrong? I really do not understand and I want to become a better photographer. Should I consider another meter?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

rlewis

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/25/2009 12:02:53 PM · #2

I think you are misinterpreting what the camera is telling you and what you are seeing. The camera is telling you that it is underexposing the image by at least 2 stops. Do you have it set on manual, "M", on the dial. Move the dial to Av or Tv and it should line up on the center mark of your meter. It if doesn't, push your shutter button half way down and then spin the large dial on the back to move it to the center. You can also center the exposure in manual by spinning the dial on the back to change your f-stop of your dial on top right to change your shutter speed.

To change your flash output, push the button on the top right labeled "ISO" which has the flash emblem and a "+/-" by it and then turn the large wheel on back to change the flash output. The flash output will be shown on the screen on the top right of the camera.

Message edited by author 2009-06-25 12:03:18.

06/25/2009 03:35:10 PM · #3

Thank you I will try all of that. I am just playing around with it so when the time comes I will be ready. Also, yes I was shooting in M mode so I will try AV and TV.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

06/25/2009 08:39:03 PM · #4

Ok, so you were right about Av and Tv mode centering up.

So what good is the built in light meter? What does it do and what is the proper way of using it?

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

06/25/2009 10:45:49 PM · #5

The built in meter is working whether you use manual, aperture, or shutter priority. It's what measures the exposure no matter what.

LVicari

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/25/2009 10:48:40 PM · #6

Just a quick reminder.. Don't always trust your light meter! It is wrong sometimes.

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/25/2009 11:33:54 PM · #7

Originally posted by FF112173:

...the built in light meter? What does it do and what is the proper way of using it?

The light meter shows you what your exposure is with the current settings. The "-" symbol indicates underexposure, the "+" overexposure. The numbers represent "stops".
If your aim is to achieve a correct exposure consistent with meter readings, the meter's arrow should point at "0".
You can adjust your exposure by changing aperture (AV) and/or shutter speed (TV) in manual mode (M).
In TV mode you set shutter speed only but sacrifice control over aperture (useful for freezing action shots, anticipating sudden changes of view, shooting flowing water at low light and other phenomena).
AV mode provides you with the option to either open or close your lens while the camera controls shutter speed (useful for achieving a measured depth of field, for one).
The light meter is available to you in all and either of these modes. It is useful in determining if the camera senses any deviance from a technically correct exposure.
It is also useful, because it shows you precisely by how many stops and in what direction your adjustments should be made to match its own ideal sense.

To most of us, however, a correct exposure should be determined by each individual shot in a context larger and more inclusive than one an inanimate tool, no matter how sophisticated, is capable of.

Message edited by author 2009-06-25 23:38:42.

spiritualspatula

Panasonic LUMIX DMC-LX100

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/25/2009 11:54:20 PM · #8

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Originally posted by FF112173:
...the built in light meter? What does it do and what is the proper way of using it?

To most of us, however, a correct exposure should be determined by each individual shot in a context larger and more inclusive than one an inanimate tool, no matter how sophisticated, is capable of.

Ditto. Don't expect a device to understand the atmosphere you are creating in your capture.