p.1 #1 · Using Exposure Compensation vs. ND filter
I'd like to be able to use a smaller aperture without having to use a very high shutter speed. e.g. if the camera meters 1/500 at f/5.6 and I want 1/320 at f/2.8 will I be able to effectively do this with exposure compensation?
Would using an ND filter be better/worse? Or is the ND filter required?
I plan on trying this out tomorrow, but was looking for feedback before the trial and error session.
p.1 #2 · Using Exposure Compensation vs. ND filter
JH,
No, EC is not your answer. In the scenario you've laid out, you'd be about 2.7 stops overexposed.
If you (for whatever reason) want to shoot no higher than a 320th and your meter says 1/2000 at f2.8 (which is the equivelant of 1/500 at 5.6), then switching to a lower ISO, adding a polarizer, and or the ND filter, seem to be your options.
p.1 #4 · Using Exposure Compensation vs. ND filter
JH,
...FYI, dialing in an EC value will move your exposure off of normal, meaning you'll under or overexpose the image (according to the camera's meter of course). The EC feature is for images where your experience tells you the camera's meter will not render the scene as you wish it to be.
p.1 #5 · Using Exposure Compensation vs. ND filter
Doug - thanks for the insight. Am I correct in interpreting your answer to say that EC would solve the problem (assuming I'm +/- 3 stops)? Or +/- 2 stops on the 10D. Then if I needed more than that, I could apply the ND filter.
I pulled the shutter speed and aperture values from thin air, while not exactly my situation, it's probably relatively close.
I just read Doug's second post & geckonia's post... sounds like I need to invest in a nice set of ND filters.
p.1 #6 · Using Exposure Compensation vs. ND filter
JH,
You may not need the NDs. My B+W polarizer sucks about 2.8 stops of light (max. incident) from an exposure, meaning you may very well be able to use one to create your end goal. There have been times when I've used both to change my exposure by about 5 stops (creating silky waterfalls under sunny skies).
p.1 #7 · Using Exposure Compensation vs. ND filter
Valid point! I've only used my B+W polarizer on occasion, when I have it seems to reduce by 1-2 stops. According to B+W's website, the filters can be stacked which multiplies the filer factors.
I'm trying to get the smallest DOF possible (e.g. f/2.8) while keeping shutter speed low, < 1/500 for motion blur. Definitely worth experimenting.
