[disclaimer: these are pretty basic questions, but hey! I never claim to
be more than a beginner... but a "professional beginner", ofcourse! <g>]
It's been said on numerous occasions that the exposure compensation dial
works as flash compensation in M mode. Okay, so if I understand this
correctly, for half intensity, dial in -1 EV of flash compensation; for
one-third fill, -1 1/3 or -1.5 EV; for one quarter, -2 EV. Well, even if
that scale is not quite right, the main point is that for less flash, I'm
supposed to dial negatively correct? Well, if the answer is yes, then
please answer the following:
Consider a conventional fill-flash setting. I first metered the scene on
Program mode. Then I set the same exact settings manually (now in M mode).
Then I flip on the flash unit. Initially, the compensation bar graph
stays at zero as expected. But as I turn the comp. dial to the negative
side (less flash?) the bar graph goes up (towards the over exposure side).
Is this supposed to happen? Is what I expect to happen (less flash)
actually going to occur even though the indicators seem to say otherwise?
Of course, I could probably answer some of these questions by just
shooting some shots, and taking some notes but I figured there is no need
to "waste film" when I have such a panel of experts before me [hoping that
flattery will get me everywhere].
Thanks in advance,
jerome
ps... I now see that it pays to take the camera out of the bag sometimes
even when you're not shooting. seems like an obvious thing to do (for
learning purposes), but I unfortunately never bother with such things
until I'm out taking photos, and by then it's too late! hmmm... lesson
learned.
_______________________
Jerome D. Coombs-Reyes
PhD Candidate, ISyE, Georgia Tech
http://www.isye.gatech.edu/~jerome
