5 Exposure Compensation Tips For Olympus OM-D

[@richardeby9672]

I've had my E-M5 for 8 years, and never thought about enabling exposure compensation in Manual mode until now. Thanks Robin!!!

[@RobShootPhotos]

It's absolutely liberating. One of the reasons why upgraded from the em10 series to 5.

[@robinwong]

Glad you found something useful in the video!

[@Centauri27]

I didn't think it was possible! In manual mode, both dial are used to set shutter speed & aperture. But I normally use my rear dial for exposure compensation, which won't work in M mode. I assume I would have to go back and set Exposure Compensation back to one of the function buttons?

[@RobShootPhotos]

@@Centauri27 which camera do you have? My E-M5 III has the +/- button and by holding down that button as I turn the back dial it changes the exposure compensation. Once I release the button the command dials will function normally.

[@Centauri27]

@@RobShootPhotos I have the E-M5 III as well. I have the back dial set for exposure compensation, with the +/- button remapped to Multi-Function. Ah, by changing +/- back to its original function, I can now do compensation in M mode! (I never realized the importance or need for the +/- button!)

[@imcoop13]

Just bought my EM5iii with 14-150mm and75- 300 last week Robin. I have found your videos on cluster focus & How to adjust Exposure comp extremely helpful. Thanks from a grateful Scot🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿😁

[@milantrpka2951]

Hi Robin. I like your videos, which are simple and understandable. Thank you for your good job.

[@robinwong]

Thanks Milan, glad you liked it

[@lichtloper]

1:17-1:21 "...you can adjust exposure compensation by operating the rear command dial..." Yes, one can - but the images here show Robin turning the front dial. Myself (in A-mode) I prefer to set the aperture by operating the front dial and the exp.compensation with the back wheel. Never mind, it's purely a matter of personal preference.

[@lichtloper]

I have the same preference

[@ironmonkey1512]

Thank you... I understand exposure compensation but had no idea that you used the ring on the shutter button to adjust it.

[@RTFM70]

Some very useful tips. Thanks Robin 👍📸

[@robinwong]

No worries, my pleasure to share

[@pontatherescued]

This is a very good lecture. This is not always the case if there is an extreme difference in brightness without a screen.　But the foundation is important.

[@Mithadon]

Thanks Robin. I've been using manual mode but it's frustrating how much Auto-ISO jumps around. This will help a lot to control it without having to completely manually set the ISO.

[@Centauri27]

Good tips, Robin. I think you should go into more detail about "Exposure compensation + Flash exposure compensation" and why you would use one setting over another. I have mine turned off, so that fill flash works correctly. (I dial in several stops of negative compensation to not blow out a bright background, then I let the flash take care of lighting up my subject correctly.)

[@sabyasachibanerjee124]

Good useful advice as always. Thanks Robin!

[@robinwong]

Thanks, glad you find them useful

[@Rafaga777]

Thanks a lot for these tips, especially tip no 4. As always much appreciated...

[@robinwong]

Thanks, glad you found the tip useful

[@extremelydave]

A much needed and useful video Robin!!!

[@robinwong]

Thanks, glad you liked it

[@PaulPavlinovich]

The story is more important than the exposure, 100% thanks for spreading the thinking that you can get both right. I hadn't encountered exposure shift, I nearly always go down by a third so I'm off to check this out right now 😃

[@robinwong]

Yeah, if you find yourself always adjusting the EV compensation, might as well set it as a baseline, that can save you some time!

[@ThePNWRiderWA]

A well done explanation Robin

[@robinwong]

Thanks, appreciate that

[@skysurfer5cva]

You can also reassign the dials to put exposure compensation on the rear dial and aperture/shutter speed on the front dial. My first digital camera was the E-1 and its default was exposure compensation on the rear dial and aperture/shutter speed on the front dial. I liked that, so I have stayed with it. I set up my E-5, E-M1.2, and E-M1.3, to work that way.

[@judithwinkler1553]

I use manual to set the f stop and shutter in tricky lighting. Then I flip the lever up and adjust either ISO or exposure compensation with the wheels. But the most frequent question whether I want a higher iso or a lower shutter speed. They are both on the back dial, accessible with a flick of the lever. Have you ever tried that?

[@skysurfer5cva]

@@judithwinkler1553 I haven't used your method. I have the lever set up to switch to movie mode and that works better for me.

[@remembershooting2064]

This is incredibly useful, thank you very much, Robin. I absolutely love my EM1 ii but still find the options and customisation quite overwhelming. You really helped me to understand it better.

[@iqueque]

Thanks Robin for this information. I have not used the exposure compensation ability before, always manually adjusting. I look forward to a streamlined shooting experience.

[@robinwong]

No worries, glad I can share. It is good to experiment and try different methods of shooting

[@bobb.9917]

Thanks for the reminder -3 to +3 visual limitation in the VF and rear screen...Easy to forget.

[@thomasli2561]

Thank you. Very clear now

[@robinwong]

Glad I can share

[@lhutton1]

As always, excellent in every way. Thanks for the content 👍🏾👍🏾

[@alb41ful]

Thanks Robin! A lot of very helpful tips! Much appreciated!

[@sav2236]

Thx Robin for interesting vid.

[@michaelwoodbodley8099]

Thanks for this, Robin. I did not know about the limit on the extent to which the screen or viewfinder correctly reflects exposure compensation. My understanding is that when shooting in s, a, or m modes the camera gives effect to exposure compensation by shifting the ISO. Is that correct? On another point, when do you find p mode useful? Surely one always needs to choose either shutter speed or aperture (or both) depending on the type of photography being done?

[@69horatioh]

Great video as allways. Thank you Robin!

[@philipperaevens5820]

Hello Robin, i actually have the olympus E-M10 Mk III, and there is no button for exposure compensation. So if i want to shoot in manual mode, i suppose there is no possibility for exposure compensation. Also in the menu, i can't set my auto iso to "all". I am using it fot street, and it would be interesting to adapt sometimes the compensation. Many thanks for your answer en keep safe!

[@criticaltinker]

Robin thanks for all your videos. You mentioned before that you're not upgrading to Mark III but I can see you're using it now. What made you decide?

[@jnforsberg1]

can you a movie about using the menu's for the OMD E-M10 mark 4. it is different than the one from the E-M5 III?

[@criticaltinker]

that exposure shift sounds cool because on my Sony Camera, 0 is never right. I always expose 1 stop brighter.

[@MrFrizzo1947]

Outstanding advice

[@robinwong]

Thanks!

[@truewarrior1980]

very useful info. thanks

[@carlosdlfoto]

Hi Robin, Nice video. How can I use exposure compensation in manual mode on EM1 MII since there is no dedicate exposure compensation button as in MIII?. Thanks.

[@arthurchan7934]

Hi Robin, I watched most of your videos, you provided great tricks and tips for Olympus community. Was trying to follow TIP 2 - Using Exposure Compensation in Manual Mode. If I am using E-M1 Mark II, how do I get to EV adjustment? Cause the same button that you shown in your video is a Midtone button in my camera. Your advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks,

[@ronbrown9064]

Great video Robin. Why would you (under what circumstances) would you link flash and exposure compensation? Thanks.

[@robinwong]

Adjusting exposure on camera will control the ambient light, while adjusting the exposure on flash will control the flash output. In a controlled environment where the ambient light is not important and can be ignored, linking the exposure compensation controls together allows quicker control. Just turn the command dial on camera to adjust both camera exposure + flash exposure, you save one step in the shooting process, which simplifies things.

[@ronbrown9064]

Robin, thanks for the clear explanation.

[@wackyislandboysstreetphoto805]

Hi Robin! Thanks for your very informative videos. Your smile and positive outlook on Photography. I’m not very technical but the way you explain things is easy on the brain. Please have a cup of coffee on me 😎. Look forward to more videos from you. Take care...be Safe and stay Zhealthy

[@fernanddurler5822]

Hi Robin …does it make sense to set exposure shift to plus 1 as its a small sensor and will likely always need a boost upfront for more light on the sensor.? I believe sony always proclaim to users to set the base setting to -1 underexposed in order to boost shadows in post.

[@mark32tt]

Hi Robin. Does increasing the exposure compensation increase the ISO? Does doing it that way take the guesswork out of selecting the correct ISO? Does manually changing the ISO do the same thing in camera? I think I almost understand :-)

[@andreamazzei461]

Hello Robin I need your help urgently!!! I have a problem with my Olympus EM 10 II camera in manual mode. I don't know what I did, but now the exposure doesn't change by changing the speed or focus of the camera. The exposure stays at -3. Iso 200. In this case I set AutoIso to All in the camera settings but it doesn't really do it for manual mode. I would like to know what I can do to change this. Before it didn't work like that. It's like the exposure setting is cold no answer and it's only for Manual Mode. Thanks for all your information and share usefully tips for beginners 😊

[@meshals8956]

Same here did you find the solution?

[@andreluthart6611]

Hi Robin, since a month i am following your channel. I bought a secondhand OM-D E-M5, which is indeed a nice camera. I watched your tips about exposure compensation. But one thing i cannot figure out is how to set up the Live Exposure Simulation. In Manual shooting it is working, but in Aperture priority i cannot see the effect when i turn the exposure compensation wheel. It seems like the exposure compensation is not working at all!! Do you have a golden tip for me? Thanks in advance from André, the Netherlands

[@mgolanmit]

Great video as always. Did Olympus make a change between Mark II and III to the top buttons? My II does not have the +/- symbol on the button, it has sort of a sine wave symbol and Fn2 next to it - looks like I have to program it. I need to dig deeper in the manuals when I get a chance.

[@robinwong]

You don't necessarily need the EV button, you can adjust the exposure compensation directly by turning the command dial without pressing the button.

[@Centauri27]

@@robinwong Yes, that's how I have mine set up. But then exposure compensation in manual mode doesn't work (?).

[@MrDunk66]

@@Centauri27 does on my MKii with front control wheel. Need AutoISO enabled.

[@criticaltinker]

Another question.... I bought the EM1 III before but I returned it because of one thing, I like the Auto Exposure bracketing to have 2 stops and 3 stops EV apart but the mark III appears to not have those options. Originally, the mark ii don't have those options as well but was added in firmware update. with the latest firmware of the mark iii, do we have those options now? originally, both mark ii and mark iii only have 1/3, 2/3 and 1 stop apart of AEB. can you clear this up to me? if they have it now, I will be happy to buy a mark iii again and keep it.

[@michaelm1]

Oh hey, Fuji! What's up with you not having exposure shift on your flagship cameras like Olympus here? Why do I have to constantly downplay exposure by 1/3 stop so that you don't blow my highlights? Get on it!

[@byronrojas8363]

The omd series had auto exposure compesation for the timelapse mode ?

[@dandanu2526]

That's all I want to know ... how to activate exposure compensation in RAW mode on my Oly em 10 mkII.What dials do i have to set? Thank you!

[@ravindakulasuriya4540]

Rotate your shutter button.

[@dandanu2526]

@@ravindakulasuriya4540 Thank you!

[@keithbaetz4099]

Can you tell me why, when in manual mode with auto iso enabled, sometimes the exposure compensation button only highlights/sets exposure compensation at a second press and hold, and sometimes selects the speed /aperture rather than exposure compensation? I have tried changing buttons in case the button is faulty, to no avail. TIA, Keith

[@sawomirkarasinski1694]

Robin thanks for very good tips. My camera is omd em 10 mark ii . If i hit exposure button in manual mode i have only 4 arrows ,2 for aperture and 2 for speed shutter. i can't change exposure only one dial. whats wrong??

[@meshals8956]

Same thing, did u find a solution?

[@Hrumpy]

Hi Robin, I am new to photography and my first camera is Olympus EM 10 MARK II As it looks my passion is event photos, specifically standUp comedy events where ,most of the times, it's pretty dark in the venue. All of my friends are telling me that m43 is just terrible for that and that I should switch before investing too much in lenses. Can you give me your input regarding this ? I have watched your video on shooting in low light but there are no tips on low light, moving object. Any lense recommendations, external sources of light will be appreciated too.

[@robertocollo2890]

Hrumpy if you shoot events in dark rooms flash light would be “the” tool. Sadly most of the times it could be forbidden (or at least quite annoying) so you must use wide aperture lenses such as f1.2 or f1.4 and rise up the ISO (1600 or less as Olympus files get too grainy beyond that setting); AF always if the subject moves; shoot in A mode and ISO AUTO il you want to fix the depth of field by using the diaphragm and leave the camera to expose (don’t close too much anyway); or you can try to shoot in Program or AUTO modes (less creative, but very useful and so easy).

[@Centauri27]

You can absolutely take great event photos with your Olympus! Just look at Robin's shots of indoor concerts. Assuming there's always a spotlight on the person, that's more than bright enough to get good shots. Even when it get dark and you have to shoot ISO 3200, you photos will still look good, especially if viewed online. It's more important to nail the focus and avoid motion blur. (BTW: You'll need at least f/2.8 zooms or f/1.8 primes. If you're using a cheaper zoom that's f/5.6 at the long end, then forget it.)

[@grahamrussell1651]

Hi Robin, just been having a play with my em10 mk iii, when I move beyond +/- 3 the Image on the screen does appear to be altered and become brighter or darker

[@robinwong]

I don't have the E-M10 Mark III to verify, but the E-M1 Mark III stays consistent with the +/- 3EV limit

[@grahamrussell1651]

Thanks for the reply Robin. Learning lots from your videos, great work.

[@rodmehta5356]

Woohoo!

[@WhoIsSerafin]

Personally I think people should not touch raw until they learn exposure correctly. The Olympus red and blue blinkies are great also for catching the correct exposure but I may like the zebras better on Panasonic?

[@jamesitarose2473]

pro tip! at 22:00 seconds Don't take or frame pictures with your finger over the lens. Dare I waste more time here?

[@Mark_James_Hill]

also I see you have lost your view finder boot lol