Should I listen to my camera?

[JFeinbergPhotography]

My camera, when in full manual, has a little exposure bar on the left bottom with a + and -. The middle is the correct exposure, and if it moves to the +, it is too exposed, etc...

I've really never had it go wrong before, it usually is correct by what it says, and also matches the histogram.

However, should I be using this? There is no way to turn it off, but should I focus on this or should I be developing an eye for exposure? Is it worth missing that great shot?

I know that other cameras will not have this and I will have to rely on the histogram, but is it ok for a beginner or will I develop a bad habit?

[Jim Bryant]

Originally Posted by JFeinbergPhotography

My camera, when in full manual, has a little exposure bar on the left bottom with a + and -. The middle is the correct exposure, and if it moves to the +, it is too exposed, etc...

I've really never had it go wrong before, it usually is correct by what it says, and also matches the histogram.

However, should I be using this? There is no way to turn it off, but should I focus on this or should I be developing an eye for exposure? Is it worth missing that great shot?

I know that other cameras will not have this and I will have to rely on the histogram, but is it ok for a beginner or will I develop a bad habit?

We all develop bad habits one time or another. Use your histogram.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by JFeinbergPhotography

My camera, when in full manual, has a little exposure bar on the left bottom with a + and -. The middle is the correct exposure, and if it moves to the +, it is too exposed, etc...

I've really never had it go wrong before, it usually is correct by what it says, and also matches the histogram.

However, should I be using this? There is no way to turn it off, but should I focus on this or should I be developing an eye for exposure? Is it worth missing that great shot?

I know that other cameras will not have this and I will have to rely on the histogram, but is it ok for a beginner or will I develop a bad habit?

That is the exposure meter. Yes you will want to become familiar with that. There are times when you will want it on the + side, and there are times when you want it on the - side. Especially if you want to get in to using spot or center weighted metering. That is where photography gets fun! You get to choose what you want to do.

[inkista]

This is just me, but if you're fine with the camera's choices of exposure settings all the time, why are you in Manual mode?

For me, Manual mode is when I don't agree with the camera's choices most of the time, or I want to lock exposure settings down to be completely consistent from shot to shot.

Just putting the "needle" on 0 is simply doing what your auto-exposure system could do for you a lot faster.

I suggest you go night shooting with a tripod. Or find a snow scene. Or go to the beach. Or deliberately under or overexpose a shot for a specific effect. And then see why you might want to ignore the autoexposure system. There are times to let AE do its thing. There are times to ignore it. But only you will know what they are.

[JFeinbergPhotography]

I mean that the camera says it is ok, it is just a meter, it is not what the camera is setting. Full manual is the setting and only setting I use.

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by JFeinbergPhotography

I mean that the camera says it is ok, it is just a meter, it is not what the camera is setting. Full manual is the setting and only setting I use.

The meter is a tool. You can use it to produce a "correct" exposure,but as you learn to see light in different ways, you can take different exposures the way you see fit. For example, like Inkista pointed out, a snow scene, or a scene that is predominently white. If you you set the camera to where the meter reads ---0--- all the time, your whites will end up looking gray. This is when you want to overexpose against what the meter thinks is proper. Sometimes by 1 stop or even more. Same thing with predominently dark scenes. You will probably want to underexpose from what the camera meter thinks is proper.

Originally Posted by RLucas

The meter is a tool.

Ding.

The only good way to use a tool is to know what it does and how you can manipulate it to get different results.

Tools are often made to have multiple uses

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by maxharvard

Tools are often made to have multiple uses

Exactly.

I mean, look at Max... makes us laugh and gives good advice. He's a great example of how to be a tool.

[NicoleScraps]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

He's a great example of how to be a tool.

Jeezus! You made me snort a drink out my nose. Now I have nothing constructive to add to this thread.

[RLucas]

With the little wink Eric put on his post, I got the feeling he was calling me a tool.