Increase ISO or EV?

Newtophotos · 05-09-2014, 11:24 AM

If your camera says that your light settings are too low for a desired shutter speed and aperature, how do you decide wether to increase the ISO versus increase the EV compensation?

fgaudet · 05-09-2014, 11:48 AM

Even though you can use it as such (and I do) EV compensation is more for .. well compensating... for when you are aiming at getting a different exposure than what the camera calculates (or if your lens over/under expose, or if you want to avoid blowing highlights or loosing details in shadows).
If you increase ISO by one stop, you increase you noise a bit. If you decrease the EV comp to -1, you'll end up having to boost exposure in post, increasing the existing noise. I don't believe that the results are gonna be very different, try it out and see what works best for you.

waterfall · 05-09-2014, 12:26 PM

I prefer using Manual, then adjusting ISO to maintain either aperture or shutter speed, or both. Then there is no need to reset EV before the next shot. Your screen will show relative EV on the bar. Might want to check exposure on a neutral background to avoid over or under.

bdery · 05-09-2014, 12:35 PM - **1 Like**

If I understand correctly what you are asking, then you do not properly understand what EV compensation does... I'll explain just to be clear.

There are three ways to play with the exposure : aperture, exposure time and ISO. EV compensation simply plays with these settings (within the possibilities of your current shooting mode) to skew the exposure reading it performed. So for instance in Av mode, it cannot change the aperture but will play with exposure time (or ISO if set to auto) when you change the EV comp setting.

If you change the ISO without changing the EV setting, the camera will adjust the other exposure parameters accordingly to preserve the exposure value.

In other words, if your image is over or under exposed, use the EV comp. If you want to use a different aperture or shutter speed, use the ISO setting to give you wiggle room.

**RKKS08** · 05-09-2014, 12:51 PM

And to mention, with some Pentax DSLR models changing EV is not possible in M mode.

bdery · 05-12-2014, 06:40 AM

Originally posted by RKKS08

And to mention, with some Pentax DSLR models changing EV is not possible in M mode

That's inevitable. EV compensation skews the metering reading it performed. In manual mode, the camera performs no metering so it cannot change it.

Steve.Ledger · 05-12-2014, 03:37 PM

EV compensation [+/-] in Manual mode is possible with the *istDS, K-7 and K-30/K-50/500. According to the manual so too for the K-3. Which DSLRs isn't it an option?
Perhaps some button customization has removed the option in user settings?
EV compensation is not available in the K-01 in M but that's not a DSLR of course (it's a DSLM).

BrianR · 05-12-2014, 05:11 PM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

EV compensation [+/-] in Manual mode is possible with the *istDS, K-7 and K-30/K-50/500. According to the manual so too for the K-3. Which DSLRs isn't it an option?.

k100d, which caused me a few minutes of confusion when I recently picked up a k5iis. Why was it overexposing so much from what the meter was indicating in manual mode? Do'h. I had no idea other cameras allowed EV comp in manual mode to bias the meter. They may have left it out of the k100d due to a lack of buttons.

It looks to be unavailable on the k200d too.

Steve.Ledger · 05-12-2014, 06:01 PM

Well, EV compensation allows you to deliberately over/under expose which you can do in manual mode anyway I guess..

**RKKS08** · 05-13-2014, 01:46 AM

Quoting myself:

Quote:

And to mention, with some Pentax DSLR models changing EV is not possible in M mode

Both the *istDS and the K200D have a dedicated button for EV setting, and both cameras offer only one wheel. For both cameras, in "M" mode the missing front wheel is simulated by pressing the EV button while using the back wheel.

So, in "M" mode, the EV button is not available for its original purpose.

BUT - while with both cameras EV settings <>0 made in other modes do survive going to "M" in between, they will still be used in "M" mode with the *istDS, but ignored by the K200D. So this is not a question of a "missing button".

However, if the OP has worked with SLRs before making the step to DSLRs, his question is not trivial.

With SLRs changing ISO and changing EV indeed are the same, as ISO settings cannot influence the sensitivity of the film itself. With DSLRs, this is very different - ISO changing modifies the sensitivity of the sensor (please don't argue whether that's true for RAW - this depends on camera model, sensor technology, and firmware).

bdery · 05-13-2014, 06:20 AM

Originally posted by Steve.Ledger

EV compensation [+/-] in Manual mode is possible with the *istDS, K-7 and K-30/K-50/500. According to the manual so too for the K-3. Which DSLRs isn't it an option?

The only purpose I see for using the EV control in M mode would be if you wanted to use the green button to get a first guess about exposure.

Fogel70 · 05-13-2014, 03:22 PM

EV comp is a vital part of Pentax Hyper-manual mode. Without it the Hyper-manual would not be the flexible and powerful mode it is now.
Green button for "instant spot meter" is one of the nice features in Hyper-manual, where EV comp is used for tuning the spot meter.

aleonx3 · 05-13-2014, 04:02 PM

Originally posted by Fogel70

EV comp is a vital part of Pentax Hyper-manual mode. Without it the Hyper-manual would not be the flexible and powerful mode it is now.
Green button for "instant spot meter" is one of the nice features in Hyper-manual, where EV comp is used for tuning the spot meter.

The green button does different things depending on the other shooting mode and settings - not necessarily instant 'spot' metering.

Back to the OP's question, it all depends on the shooting mode and other settings, in most cases, changing EV may end up changing ISO (if it is on auto-ISO) or changing shutter speed.

05-09-2014, 11:24 AM	#1
Newtophotos Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 439	Increase ISO or EV? If your camera says that your light settings are too low for a desired shutter speed and aperature, how do you decide wether to increase the ISO versus increase the EV compensation?

05-13-2014, 01:46 AM	#10
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	Quoting myself: Quote: And to mention, with some Pentax DSLR models changing EV is not possible in M mode Both the istDS and the K200D have a dedicated button for EV setting, and both cameras offer only one wheel. For both cameras, in "M" mode the missing front wheel is simulated by pressing the EV button while using the back wheel. So, in "M" mode, the EV button is not available for its original purpose. BUT - while with both cameras EV settings <>0 made in other modes do survive going to "M" in between, they will still be used in "M" mode with the istDS, but ignored by the K200D. So this is not a question of a "missing button". However, if the OP has worked with SLRs before making the step to DSLRs, his question is not trivial. With SLRs changing ISO and changing EV indeed are the same, as ISO settings cannot influence the sensitivity of the film itself. With DSLRs, this is very different - ISO changing modifies the sensitivity of the sensor (please don't argue whether that's true for RAW - this depends on camera model, sensor technology, and firmware). Last edited by RKKS08; 05-13-2014 at 06:55 AM. Reason: typing

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05-09-2014, 11:48 AM	#2
fgaudet Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 726	Even though you can use it as such (and I do) EV compensation is more for .. well compensating... for when you are aiming at getting a different exposure than what the camera calculates (or if your lens over/under expose, or if you want to avoid blowing highlights or loosing details in shadows). If you increase ISO by one stop, you increase you noise a bit. If you decrease the EV comp to -1, you'll end up having to boost exposure in post, increasing the existing noise. I don't believe that the results are gonna be very different, try it out and see what works best for you.

05-09-2014, 12:26 PM	#3
waterfall Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Northern Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,812	I prefer using Manual, then adjusting ISO to maintain either aperture or shutter speed, or both. Then there is no need to reset EV before the next shot. Your screen will show relative EV on the bar. Might want to check exposure on a neutral background to avoid over or under.

05-09-2014, 12:35 PM - 1 Like	#4
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	If I understand correctly what you are asking, then you do not properly understand what EV compensation does... I'll explain just to be clear. There are three ways to play with the exposure : aperture, exposure time and ISO. EV compensation simply plays with these settings (within the possibilities of your current shooting mode) to skew the exposure reading it performed. So for instance in Av mode, it cannot change the aperture but will play with exposure time (or ISO if set to auto) when you change the EV comp setting. If you change the ISO without changing the EV setting, the camera will adjust the other exposure parameters accordingly to preserve the exposure value. In other words, if your image is over or under exposed, use the EV comp. If you want to use a different aperture or shutter speed, use the ISO setting to give you wiggle room.

05-09-2014, 12:51 PM	#5
RKKS08 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,241	And to mention, with some Pentax DSLR models changing EV is not possible in M mode.

05-12-2014, 06:40 AM	#6
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by RKKS08 And to mention, with some Pentax DSLR models changing EV is not possible in M mode That's inevitable. EV compensation skews the metering reading it performed. In manual mode, the camera performs no metering so it cannot change it.

05-12-2014, 03:37 PM	#7
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	EV compensation [+/-] in Manual mode is possible with the *istDS, K-7 and K-30/K-50/500. According to the manual so too for the K-3. Which DSLRs isn't it an option? Perhaps some button customization has removed the option in user settings? EV compensation is not available in the K-01 in M but that's not a DSLR of course (it's a DSLM).

05-12-2014, 05:11 PM	#8
BrianR Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Ontario Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,332	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger EV compensation [+/-] in Manual mode is possible with the *istDS, K-7 and K-30/K-50/500. According to the manual so too for the K-3. Which DSLRs isn't it an option?. k100d, which caused me a few minutes of confusion when I recently picked up a k5iis. Why was it overexposing so much from what the meter was indicating in manual mode? Do'h. I had no idea other cameras allowed EV comp in manual mode to bias the meter. They may have left it out of the k100d due to a lack of buttons. It looks to be unavailable on the k200d too.

05-12-2014, 06:01 PM	#9
Steve.Ledger Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Far North Qld Posts: 3,301	Well, EV compensation allows you to deliberately over/under expose which you can do in manual mode anyway I guess..

05-13-2014, 06:20 AM	#11
bdery Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Quebec city, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 9,357	Originally posted by Steve.Ledger EV compensation [+/-] in Manual mode is possible with the *istDS, K-7 and K-30/K-50/500. According to the manual so too for the K-3. Which DSLRs isn't it an option? The only purpose I see for using the EV control in M mode would be if you wanted to use the green button to get a first guess about exposure.

05-13-2014, 03:22 PM	#12
Fogel70 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Stockholm, Sweden Photos: Albums Posts: 3,062	EV comp is a vital part of Pentax Hyper-manual mode. Without it the Hyper-manual would not be the flexible and powerful mode it is now. Green button for "instant spot meter" is one of the nice features in Hyper-manual, where EV comp is used for tuning the spot meter.

05-13-2014, 04:02 PM	#13
aleonx3 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Brampton, Ontario Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,996	Originally posted by Fogel70 EV comp is a vital part of Pentax Hyper-manual mode. Without it the Hyper-manual would not be the flexible and powerful mode it is now. Green button for "instant spot meter" is one of the nice features in Hyper-manual, where EV comp is used for tuning the spot meter. The green button does different things depending on the other shooting mode and settings - not necessarily instant 'spot' metering. Back to the OP's question, it all depends on the shooting mode and other settings, in most cases, changing EV may end up changing ISO (if it is on auto-ISO) or changing shutter speed.