Exposure compensation
Exposure meters are calibrated to an average grey
scale value (18% reflection), which corresponds to the
brightness of a normal, i.e. average photographic sub-
ject. If the actual subject detail does not match this
requirement, an appropriate exposure compensation
can be performed.
Particularly when taking several pictures in succes-
sion, e.g. if you want a series of pictures to deliberate-
ly have a slightly lower or higher exposure for a partic-
ular reason, exposure compensation is a very useful
function. Unlike Metering memory lock, once set it
remains effective until you (deliberately) reset it (for
more details of Metering memory lock, refer to the
corresponding section on p. 106).
The LEICA M8 allows exposure compensation in a
range of up to ±3EV in
1
/
3
EV steps (EV: Exposure
Value).
Setting the function
1. In the picture parameters menu (see p. 80/93)
select Exp. comp. (5.2.2), and
2. in the associated sub-menu select the compensa-
tion value.
Note:
An exposure compensation value set on the camera
influences only the metering of the ambient light! If
when using the flash you also wish to make a TTL
flash exposure metering compensation – whether in
the same or the contrary sense – you must do this
separately (on the flash unit itself)! See also the sec-
tions on flash mode, from p. 110.
Example of a positive compensation
With very bright subjects, such as snow or a beach,
the exposure meter selects a relatively short shutter
speed due to the high level of brightness. As a result,
the snow shows up in an average gray and any people
in the photograph are too dark: Underexposure! To
remedy this problem, the shutter speed needs to be
lengthened or the aperture stopped up, i.e. a compen-
sation setting of e.g. +1.5 EV needs to be made.
Example of a negative compensation
For extremely dark subjects that reflect very little
light, the exposure meter selects a shutter speed that
is far too long. A black car will appear gray: Overexpo-
sure! The shutter speed needs to be shortened or the
aperture stopped down, i.e. a compensation setting of
e.g. –1 EV is required.
Manual exposure setting
If the exposure setting is performed entirely manually,
the shutter speed dial (1.18) must be clicked to one of
the marked shutter speeds or to one of the intermedi-
ate values.
Then:
1. switch the exposure meter on and
2. turn the shutter speed dial and/or the aperture
setting ring on the lens – in each case in the direc-
tion indicated by the triangular LED that is lit up –
until only the circular LED is lit up.
As well as the direction of rotation of the shutter
speed dial and aperture setting ring necessary for cor-
rect exposure, the three LEDs in the light balance also
indicate underexposure, overexposure and correct
exposure in the following way:
• underexposure by at least one aperture stop;
turning to the right is required
• underexposure by
1
/
2
an aperture stop; turning
to the right is required
• Correct exposure
• overexposure by
1
/
2
an aperture stop; turning to
the left is required
overexposure by at least one aperture stop;
turning to the left is required
Note:
For exposure times longer than 2s the remaining shut-
ter speed is counted down and displayed in seconds
after the shutter is released.
Comprehensive instructions / 107
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