Search the Community

Since photography/videography is the art of capturing light. Deciding the correct exposure is the most critical element in helping us produce beautiful sequence of images. This topic is about exposure and should apply to most cameras. Nevertheless, we can still reference our cameras. We would like to share our experiences to learn from each other. The three elements that affect exposure: 1) Aperture, decides the amount of light (affects depth of field & the sharpness of the image across the frame) The widest the aperture the shorter the depth of filed and the less the sharpness at the edges of the frame), 2) ISO (Sensitivity to light), each camera has a native ISO value where it performers the best. when shooting Log file most cameras have preset values. 3) Shutter speed (the duration the light takes for a given aperture for each frame/shot) For videography usually it is set at 180 degree or double the frame rate. It is important to mention, that some cameras prefer overexposure than under - especially when shooting RAW - to maximize the dynamic range. Exposing to the right (ETTR) is the technique of adjusting the exposure of an image as high as possible at base ISO (without causing unwanted saturation) to collect the maximum amount of light and thus get the optimum performance out of the digital image sensor (google definition) My experience: a) when shooting with artificial light: I used to shoot with a Sony camera in total manual mode. And since I shoot using Slog the ISO preset at 2000 native value which I could not change. I used to set aperture at the best value to maximize exposure but avoid clipping highlights and I relied on the camera waveform. This way I can easily recover for lost details in the shadows. b) when shooting with ambient light: Currently I use the GH5s using stander profile (I tried vlog but could not get best colors) and I set the camera in Aperture priority mode so I can control which aperture to use. And mostly I use the largest/widest iris to maximize light cause I am shooting in ambient light. I set the ISO to Auto with max at 6400. Cause I am always shooting at widest aperture, the camera will always choose the minimum possible ISO. ( I give vlog another try, with max iso technique) next time we dive after the Corona curfew is lifted. I find ISO 6400 is quite usable with the GH5s. In general and whenever I change camera or technique, I use a color chart as a reference to make sure I get the right colors and exposure. How about you guys? What technique do you use? Stay safe, stay home and I pray to God that the Coronavirus disappears from planet earth for ever in the very near future Here is an article about metering: https://digital-photography-school.com/metering-modes-and-how-your-camera-meter-works/

Hi All, I'm working to understand how my a6000 works in detail with the aim of (possibly) making my own LED TTL converter. At the moment I use the a6000 with its internal flash to trigger a set of YS-D2 strobes using my optical cables. I either use the strobes in manual or TTL mode. The TTL is reasonable, but not always perfect. I wanted to understand how the a6000 TTL system works, so I connected a little oscilloscope to my hotshoe x-sync pin and used the other channel of the oscilloscope with a photodiode to monitor the flash. See attached 2 screen grabs for two flash types - Fill Flash, Rear Sync. I also did a rear sync, but it's result was remarkably similar. I wasn't able, in any case, either Manual, Aperture priority or full automatic, to witness any pre-flash whatsoever from the camera's internal flash. Does the a6000 meter TTL during the exposure? Am I missing something here. Welcome any insights, comments or suggestions to be able to run another oscilloscope test. Cheers!

What metering are people using of the OMD series of cameras? I bought a OMD E-M10, and many photos seemed a little blue using two YS-01 strobes. I think the camera is picking up enough light and underexposing. I have been using center weighted average. Should I be using digital ESP? Thanks for your advice. ML