With the ability of Canon's R-series camera viewfinders to do display simulation (make the image brightness in the viewfinder simulate the exposure of the shot based on the current camera settings), I decided in the last year that it's finally time for me to learn to shoot full manual (M mode with ISO not set to auto). Of course, I can always switch to Av, Tv, or auto-ISO if necessary in specific situations, but I'm trying to predominantly be in full manual. While I do use the histogram to help judge the correct exposure, I primarily use the brightness of the image in the viewfinder.
I have a vague recollection that one of the "camera settings for wildlife photography" videos I watched before I rented the R5 and R3 and more recently the R5 Mark II and R1 for a pre-purchase evaluation, said to set viewfinder brightness to manual if you're using the viewfinder to judge exposure, because setting it to auto could fool you about the correct exposure.
For folks using the viewfinder image to judge exposure, do you set the viewfinder brightness to Auto or Manual?
While we're at it, does anyone adjust the screen/viewfinder color tone or fine tune the viewfinder color tone? If so, why, and how do you determine the correct setting?
I use Exposure Simulation and it's always in the ball park as far as exposure accuracy. Works fine for full manual exposure with manual ISO as well. If it's underexposed, it looks dark. Not sure what manual or auto EVF is but you can increase/decrease brightness gain if that's what you mean. The only time Exposure Simulation befuddles me is for bulb exposures and flash at night or dark interiors. In those cases, the EVF is nearly blacked out so I disable Exposure Simulation let the EVF crank brightness so I can see well enough to aim the darn thing.
Gochugogi wrote:
I use Exposure Simulation and it's always in the ball park as far as exposure accuracy. Works fine for full manual exposure with manual ISO as well. If it's underexposed, it looks dark. Not sure what manual or auto EVF is but you can increase/decrease brightness gain if that's what you mean. The only time Exposure Simulation befuddles me is for bulb exposures and flash at night or dark interiors. In those cases, the EVF is nearly blacked out so I disable Exposure Simulation let the EVF crank brightness so I can see well enough to aim the darn thing.
There is a setting for Viewfinder brightness (Auto or Manual) in the Tool Menu, screen 3 on the R5. I tried various values and it affects the brightness of the viewfinder even if you have Exposure Simulation set to On. This seems somewhat confusing when you use exposure simulation. I've had it on Auto, but I don't know what this means if you use exposure simulation. Maybe it should be set to Manual for consistent results.
osidesurfer wrote:
There is a setting for Viewfinder brightness (Auto or Manual) in the Tool Menu, screen 3 on the R5. I tried various values and it affects the brightness of the viewfinder even if you have Exposure Simulation set to On. This seems somewhat confusing when you use exposure simulation. I've had it on Auto, but I don't know what this means if you use exposure simulation. Maybe it should be set to Manual for consistent results.
Yeah, that's exactly what I'm wondering. If Display Simulation is set to Exposure (or Exposure+DOF) and Viewfinder Brightness is set to Auto, could the camera automatically decide to increase (or decrease) the brightness of the viewfinder because it thinks it is too dark (or bright) and lure the photographer into setting the exposure incorrectly because they are judging exposure based on the brightness of the image in the viewfinder. If so, would it be better to set Viewfinder Brightness to Manual? I haven't been able to find any information about how the camera decides to set brightness of the viewfinder when Viewfinder Brightness is set to Auto.
I leave the EVF brightness at auto regardless of whether the exposure stimulation is on or off.
The histogram and or blinkies, etc. are better for exposure.
I have both Screen & VF brightness set to 4, and color tone set to to 2. (EOS R5).
I selected those setting's by a rather unorthodox method,--- by trying different settings until I determined which ones worked most consistently best for me. .
I have Exposure simulation Enabled as it's required for the Histogram, which, for me, is an essential tool
Sy Sez wrote:
I selected those setting's by a rather unorthodox method,--- by trying different settings until I determined which ones worked most consistently best for me. .
Would you mind saying a little more about what you noticed working better/worse as you changed those settings?
vbnut wrote:
Would you mind saying a little more about what you noticed working better/worse as you changed those settings?
My experience is with the R5, initially Auto-Brightness made the most sense to me, but I found it to be quite inconsistent. (There may well be improvements in Auto-Brightness in later models).
I use the RGB Histogram which requires Exposure Simulation be enabled, on the R5. so not sure what if any interaction it may have?
As to the Screen, & VF Brightness, I tried different settings, and determined that "4" gave me the most consistently results.
As to Color-tone, "2" struck me as the most natural.
Those no telling how "other" camera settings may interact, so not for me to advise anyone to mimic my choices, or methods, but couldn't hurt to try?
