Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? at DVinfo.net

Zach Albritton · July 29th, 2011, 09:45 AM

If I point this camera at a source of light, the camera adjust the exposure to not blow out the lights with out my consent. This is not what I want. I want it to keep with the manual settings I have dialed in my camera. How do I make this happen. THanks in advance.

Chris Barcellos · July 29th, 2011, 09:53 AM

For video, despite having the camera in M for manual, it will still automatically adjust if you have not gone into the menu and set the camera up properly. I am not where my camera is, to give specific instructions, but you need to get to the menu Movie menu, and be sure camera is in Movie mode and stills-- and I recall a submenu. You do not want it in Exposure Simulation or plain still mode. You need to select out of that type of setting and go to movie setting. Then, when you select M, you should not have an issue.

Bruce Foreman · July 29th, 2011, 01:29 PM

I don't have a 5D MkII but all the other Canon DSLRs will behave this way if you inadvertently leave the ISO set to AUTO. With the exposure in movie mode set for MANUAL the camera will hold the shutter and aperture settings you have dialed in, and it will hold the ISO provided you have taken ISO off AUTO and "dialed in" a numeric value.

I'll have ISO in AUTO just long enough to see where the camera wants to set the ISO, then I push the ISO button and "dial in" the numeric value indicated. From there I can adjust the ISO up or down a bit for "exposure effect" if desired.

But once the ISO is manually set to a numeric value your exposure is LOCKED and will not change to accommodate changes in scene brightness. I think this is what you want.

What may be happening to you is you touch the shutter button, see your settings at the bottom of the LCD screen along with an ISO value, because you have everything else MANUAL you may not realize the ISO value shown is what the camera selects with ISO on AUTO.

Chris Barcellos · July 29th, 2011, 03:34 PM

Bruce:

Because the 5D does not have a dedicated video switch, as is on the other Canon cameras, it was set up to provide an "auto video" mode even when the camera was set up to shoot in manual, but otherwise intended to shoot stills. To take it out of that mode, you have to affirmatively enter Movie menu to set up the camera for movie and stills and select the movie mode specifically.

Les Wilson · July 29th, 2011, 04:02 PM

I DO have camera in front of me and in addition to what Chris said, you DO have to take it off auto ISO

Bill Pryor · July 30th, 2011, 09:05 AM

First thing to do with any camera is turn off all the automatic stuff.

July 29th, 2011, 09:45 AM	#1
Zach Albritton Tourist Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: United States Posts: 1	Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? If I point this camera at a source of light, the camera adjust the exposure to not blow out the lights with out my consent. This is not what I want. I want it to keep with the manual settings I have dialed in my camera. How do I make this happen. THanks in advance.

July 29th, 2011, 09:53 AM	#2
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? For video, despite having the camera in M for manual, it will still automatically adjust if you have not gone into the menu and set the camera up properly. I am not where my camera is, to give specific instructions, but you need to get to the menu Movie menu, and be sure camera is in Movie mode and stills-- and I recall a submenu. You do not want it in Exposure Simulation or plain still mode. You need to select out of that type of setting and go to movie setting. Then, when you select M, you should not have an issue. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 29th, 2011, 01:29 PM	#3
Bruce Foreman Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Angelo Texas Posts: 1,518	Re: Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? I don't have a 5D MkII but all the other Canon DSLRs will behave this way if you inadvertently leave the ISO set to AUTO. With the exposure in movie mode set for MANUAL the camera will hold the shutter and aperture settings you have dialed in, and it will hold the ISO provided you have taken ISO off AUTO and "dialed in" a numeric value. I'll have ISO in AUTO just long enough to see where the camera wants to set the ISO, then I push the ISO button and "dial in" the numeric value indicated. From there I can adjust the ISO up or down a bit for "exposure effect" if desired. But once the ISO is manually set to a numeric value your exposure is LOCKED and will not change to accommodate changes in scene brightness. I think this is what you want. What may be happening to you is you touch the shutter button, see your settings at the bottom of the LCD screen along with an ISO value, because you have everything else MANUAL you may not realize the ISO value shown is what the camera selects with ISO on AUTO.

July 29th, 2011, 03:34 PM	#4
Chris Barcellos Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Elk Grove CA Posts: 6,838	Re: Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? Bruce: Because the 5D does not have a dedicated video switch, as is on the other Canon cameras, it was set up to provide an "auto video" mode even when the camera was set up to shoot in manual, but otherwise intended to shoot stills. To take it out of that mode, you have to affirmatively enter Movie menu to set up the camera for movie and stills and select the movie mode specifically. __________________ Chris J. Barcellos

July 29th, 2011, 04:02 PM	#5
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? I DO have camera in front of me and in addition to what Chris said, you DO have to take it off auto ISO

July 30th, 2011, 09:05 AM	#6
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	Re: Does this camera automatically adjust exposure? First thing to do with any camera is turn off all the automatic stuff.