ESSENTIAL CONTROLS

DISCOVER THE KEY CAMERA SETTINGS THAT ENABLE YOU TO SET AND OVERRIDE THE METERING SYSTEM.

01 METERING MODE

Pattern metering is set by default in the automatic or scene modes. To change the metering mode, you need to be in the semi-automatic or manual exposure modes.

02 HISTOGRAM

Don’t trust the image on the rear screen — use the playback histogram to help judge the exposure more accurately. In Live View mode, you’ll be able to call up a real-time histogram, too.

03 COMPENSATION

You can use exposure compensation to correct exposure problems. (See the opposite page.) Some cameras let you dial this in directly; others require a button press first.

04 DYNAMIC RANGE

Your camera might not be able to hold detail throughout the scene if the difference between the highlights and shadows is extreme, such as in strongly backlit shots like this one.

EXPOSURE LOCK Keep the shutter release half-pressed to lock the exposure, enabling you to take a meter reading from a different part of the scene, then recompose the shot. Your camera is likely to have a separate Exposure Lock button on the rear of the body as well.