1/2 or 1/3 EV stops?

Nanthiel · 08-27-2008, 01:51 PM

I've searched over the Forums but I couldn't find much information regarding this topic.

My question is, is there any advantage of either setting in the custom menu, to set exposure with 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps? Is 1/3 more accurate, but 1/2 faster to dial in? Or are both just as accurate and it's just there because someone would find either setting prettier?

ftpaddict · 08-27-2008, 01:53 PM

Thought I've used 1/2 ever since I got the K100D, but have recently switched to 1/3, to be able to make more subtle adjustments to exposure compensation.

You should have added a poll with this.

BBear · 08-27-2008, 02:00 PM

I guess you said it all: one is faster and the other has more adjustibility.

I am on the lazy side (as of today) and I use 1/2 increments... Actually it is more than laziness. i actually got used to the fractions and I have the impression 1/3s would somehow confuse me a bit.

ftpaddict · 08-27-2008, 02:04 PM

Originally posted by BBear

I guess you said it all: one is faster and the other has more adjustibility.

In practice I have found that keeping the EV comp. button pressed and rolling the dial a couple of times with either of the settings gets me to one end of the scale or another.

One extra click of the dial would take you probably .3 of a second to do, so speed should not be a major factor.

Nanthiel · 08-27-2008, 02:09 PM

Bah! Totally forgot I could've added a Poll... it's not doable now, is it?...

I also noticed that you can push EV comp to -/+3 if you're at 1/2 steps, and to only -/+2 if you're using 1/3... although I usually wouldn't need to compensate -that- much.

But what about Sensitivity Steps? Do you set them per 1EV or as the EV setting?

simonkit · 08-27-2008, 02:09 PM

I use 1/3 - I have +0.7 EV pretty much permanently dialled in, seems to be around the normal "programmed in" underexposure.

simon

mithrandir · 08-27-2008, 02:23 PM

I have done the same as Simon. My K10D is set at +0.7 EV to compensate for programmed underexposure; therefore I am using 1/3.

augustmoon · 08-27-2008, 03:03 PM

Originally posted by Nanthiel

I also noticed that you can push EV comp to -/+3 if you're at 1/2 steps, and to only -/+2 if you're using 1/3... although I usually wouldn't need to compensate -that- much.

But what about Sensitivity Steps? Do you set them per 1EV or as the EV setting?

Yeah, that's about the only advantage to 1/2 steps is if you want THAT much EV comp.

I keep mine in 1/3 steps as my primary adjustments for my lenses are +.3 for my DA zooms and +.7 for my FA primes... that's just kind of how it works out most of the time for my usage. I like the ability to dial in smaller more accurate steps now. But when I first got my Pentax, I used 1/2 until I became familiar with the metering and specific lenses.

As for EV comp, if I'm in a strange or tough situation that requires more than my normal subtle amounts, I realize it's time for Manual Exposure as it's easier to whirl the thumbwheel and dial in differing exposures than to keep setting and resetting the EV comp and checking and readjusting then shooting....

I keep the sensitivity steps the same as EV, because as for me, simple math to adjust ISO and EV in the same number of steps either which way....

...

...

sewebster · 08-27-2008, 03:05 PM

I _almost_ wish you could just set it to full stops as even half stops seems like overkill on adjustability most of the time. Though I guess for exposure compensation it would be more important than just setting aperture and/or shutter speed in Av/Tv or M modes.

timbo13 · 08-27-2008, 03:40 PM

I keep mine at 1/2 steps because my manual lens are set by 1/2 steps, I would get confused shooting A lenses one way and M lenses the other.

**Kerrowdown** · 08-27-2008, 03:46 PM

I use 1/3 's all the time for just that little extra control on what I'm doing

It's really each to their own, there's no right or wrong here, just whatever suits your style and workflow.

philmorley · 08-27-2008, 04:26 PM

I use 1/3 and have +.3 or +.7 dialed in, depending on the lens

**Lowell Goudge** · 08-27-2008, 07:04 PM

I change as a function of lens type.

KA mount and newer, i.e. lenses with an "A" setting, I use 1/3 stops.

for K mount, non "A" lenses I use 1/2 stop because that is how the lens is indexed. I have found from time to time, some very inconsistent behavior when I use lenses that have 1/2 stop detents, with 1/2 stop AE in the camera

Marc Sabatella · 08-27-2008, 11:54 PM

Originally posted by timbo13

I keep mine at 1/2 steps because my manual lens are set by 1/2 steps, I would get confused shooting A lenses one way and M lenses the other.

Same here. Also, I learned the sequence of f-stops and shutter speeds in 1/2 EV steps based on film lenses. I have no interest in having to relearn the sequences in 1/3 EV steps.

creampuff · 08-28-2008, 02:17 AM

I use 1/3 EV increments simply because when shooting quickly falling light like landscapes and seascapes, there is a big difference when bracketing compared to 1/2 EV. Old habit but I've always preferred 1/3 stop increments since the days of shooting slide film.

1/3 EV is also useful when doing exposure in controlled studio situations for product shots.

When shooting in SV mode or TAv mode or when selecting ISO manually, it is also good to have a slightly wider ISO increment range, hence 1/3 EV.

The only negative is that EV compensation range is from -2 to +2. It should have EV adjustments to +/- 3 imo.

08-27-2008, 01:51 PM	#1
Nanthiel Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maribor, Slovenia Posts: 74	1/2 or 1/3 EV stops? I've searched over the Forums but I couldn't find much information regarding this topic. My question is, is there any advantage of either setting in the custom menu, to set exposure with 1/2 or 1/3 EV steps? Is 1/3 more accurate, but 1/2 faster to dial in? Or are both just as accurate and it's just there because someone would find either setting prettier?

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08-27-2008, 01:53 PM	#2
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Thought I've used 1/2 ever since I got the K100D, but have recently switched to 1/3, to be able to make more subtle adjustments to exposure compensation. You should have added a poll with this.

08-27-2008, 02:00 PM	#3
BBear Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: CT / NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 822	I guess you said it all: one is faster and the other has more adjustibility. I am on the lazy side (as of today) and I use 1/2 increments... Actually it is more than laziness. i actually got used to the fractions and I have the impression 1/3s would somehow confuse me a bit.

08-27-2008, 02:04 PM	#4
ftpaddict Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Yurp Photos: Gallery Posts: 4,666	Originally posted by BBear I guess you said it all: one is faster and the other has more adjustibility. In practice I have found that keeping the EV comp. button pressed and rolling the dial a couple of times with either of the settings gets me to one end of the scale or another. One extra click of the dial would take you probably .3 of a second to do, so speed should not be a major factor.

08-27-2008, 02:09 PM	#5
Nanthiel Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maribor, Slovenia Posts: 74 Original Poster	Bah! Totally forgot I could've added a Poll... it's not doable now, is it?... I also noticed that you can push EV comp to -/+3 if you're at 1/2 steps, and to only -/+2 if you're using 1/3... although I usually wouldn't need to compensate -that- much. But what about Sensitivity Steps? Do you set them per 1EV or as the EV setting?

08-27-2008, 02:09 PM	#6
simonkit Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: North Wales, UK Posts: 645	I use 1/3 - I have +0.7 EV pretty much permanently dialled in, seems to be around the normal "programmed in" underexposure. simon

08-27-2008, 02:23 PM	#7
mithrandir Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,895	I have done the same as Simon. My K10D is set at +0.7 EV to compensate for programmed underexposure; therefore I am using 1/3.

08-27-2008, 03:03 PM	#8
augustmoon Inactive Account Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Toronto, San Diego, Seattle Posts: 455	Originally posted by Nanthiel I also noticed that you can push EV comp to -/+3 if you're at 1/2 steps, and to only -/+2 if you're using 1/3... although I usually wouldn't need to compensate -that- much. But what about Sensitivity Steps? Do you set them per 1EV or as the EV setting? Yeah, that's about the only advantage to 1/2 steps is if you want THAT much EV comp. I keep mine in 1/3 steps as my primary adjustments for my lenses are +.3 for my DA zooms and +.7 for my FA primes... that's just kind of how it works out most of the time for my usage. I like the ability to dial in smaller more accurate steps now. But when I first got my Pentax, I used 1/2 until I became familiar with the metering and specific lenses. As for EV comp, if I'm in a strange or tough situation that requires more than my normal subtle amounts, I realize it's time for Manual Exposure as it's easier to whirl the thumbwheel and dial in differing exposures than to keep setting and resetting the EV comp and checking and readjusting then shooting.... I keep the sensitivity steps the same as EV, because as for me, simple math to adjust ISO and EV in the same number of steps either which way.... ... ...

08-27-2008, 03:05 PM	#9
sewebster Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Vancouver, BC Photos: Gallery Posts: 544	I _almost_ wish you could just set it to full stops as even half stops seems like overkill on adjustability most of the time. Though I guess for exposure compensation it would be more important than just setting aperture and/or shutter speed in Av/Tv or M modes.

08-27-2008, 03:40 PM	#10
timbo13 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Northboro MA, USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,007	I keep mine at 1/2 steps because my manual lens are set by 1/2 steps, I would get confused shooting A lenses one way and M lenses the other.

08-27-2008, 03:46 PM	#11
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,863	I use 1/3 's all the time for just that little extra control on what I'm doing It's really each to their own, there's no right or wrong here, just whatever suits your style and workflow.

08-27-2008, 04:26 PM	#12
philmorley Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: in a house in Armidale, Australia Posts: 472	I use 1/3 and have +.3 or +.7 dialed in, depending on the lens

08-27-2008, 07:04 PM	#13
Lowell Goudge Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 17,891	I change as a function of lens type. KA mount and newer, i.e. lenses with an "A" setting, I use 1/3 stops. for K mount, non "A" lenses I use 1/2 stop because that is how the lens is indexed. I have found from time to time, some very inconsistent behavior when I use lenses that have 1/2 stop detents, with 1/2 stop AE in the camera

08-27-2008, 11:54 PM	#14
Marc Sabatella Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Denver, CO Photos: Gallery Posts: 10,685	Originally posted by timbo13 I keep mine at 1/2 steps because my manual lens are set by 1/2 steps, I would get confused shooting A lenses one way and M lenses the other. Same here. Also, I learned the sequence of f-stops and shutter speeds in 1/2 EV steps based on film lenses. I have no interest in having to relearn the sequences in 1/3 EV steps.

08-28-2008, 02:17 AM	#15
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	I use 1/3 EV increments simply because when shooting quickly falling light like landscapes and seascapes, there is a big difference when bracketing compared to 1/2 EV. Old habit but I've always preferred 1/3 stop increments since the days of shooting slide film. 1/3 EV is also useful when doing exposure in controlled studio situations for product shots. When shooting in SV mode or TAv mode or when selecting ISO manually, it is also good to have a slightly wider ISO increment range, hence 1/3 EV. The only negative is that EV compensation range is from -2 to +2. It should have EV adjustments to +/- 3 imo.