Manual camera settings: how to ensure proper exposure?

FreeBerd · Feb 22, 2017

I intend to use following settings on the P3A:

ISO 100
WB: manual, as applicable
COLOR: D-LOG
FPS: 60
SHUTTER: 1/125

Say it's a sunny day and I'm overexposed so I put a ND16 filter on. How do I check for proper exposure? Is it simply by looking at histogram or by turning on overexposure lines? Or do I squint at the iPad and make a guess?? I'd like to do stills and videos in manual, mainly for monitoring of construction sites.

Sorry if this has been answered before, I've been looking to no avail...

Richard R · Feb 22, 2017

In manual and with no ND filters on, adjust the shutter speed until you get an ev of 0 or until you like the exposure that you get. Then divide that shutter speed by the one that you want to use (e.g. 1/125). For instance, suppose that the shutter speed is 1/1000. 1000/125 = 8. So use an ND8 filter. ND filter values and exposures are explained in the attached chart. I have a small handheld light meter that I use to read the ambient light and then refer to my notes (I keep notes on meter readings and what ND filters, etc. I use) to select the proper filter. That way, I can set the camera up pretty close before I power it on.

FreeBerd · Feb 23, 2017

Richard R said:
In manual and with no ND filters on, adjust the shutter speed until you get an ev of 0 or until you like the exposure that you get. Then divide that shutter speed by the one that you want to use (e.g. 1/125). For instance, suppose that the shutter speed is 1/1000. 1000/125 = 8. So use an ND8 filter. ND filter values and exposures are explained in the attached chart. I have a small handheld light meter that I use to read the ambient light and then refer to my notes (I keep notes on meter readings and what ND filters, etc. I use) to select the proper filter. That way, I can set the camera up pretty close before I power it on.

Thanks Richard R., that is exactly what I needed! I have not been too happy with the default auto settings so I'm working on going Manual. Appreciate the response and the chart. Do you shoot in D-LOG or CUSTOM? I've seen a lot of advice on going custom with -2, -3, -2. I'd rather not do too much in POST for now though.