On Mon, 07 Apr 2003 17:28:48 GMT, Gary Eickmeier <geickmei@tampabay.rr.com> wrote:

>Neuman - Ruether wrote:

>> Try auto-mode, with bias in the custom-controls - works much

>> better than ME, and when needed, the exposure can be locked

>> using the side button... All the auto controls on this

>> camera are surprisingly good, but I often modify color

>> balance and saturation and exposure bias for specific

>> needs, letting the auto controls do what they then do very

>> well...;-

>Well, sometimes there are shots that you just have to go manual on. For

>example, we just shot a stage play of Evita. Stage plays are notorious

>for low lighting for most of the stage, usually in pastel colors, and a

>searchlight blasting away on the star. We had to do something to not

>burn out the star, while still maintaining some detail in the rest of

>the stage. Manual control is the only way. So you see us riding up and

>down on the control during the shot. Not a kill factor, but annoying, if

>it could have been stepless.

Um, "Try auto-mode, with bias in the custom-controls - works

much better than ME, and when needed, the exposure can be

locked using the side button." If you need a constant

exposure bias in a changing condition (like this appears

to be, needing underexposure to save the highlights, and

to not over-lighten the dark areas...), this works very

well, and avoids the 1/2-stop jumps of ME shifts... Try

it sometime when you have time to experiment - sure beats

trying to second-guess and chase the different exposures

needed manually!

>We didn't try "Spotlight" because during the event is not the place to

>dick around with experiments.

"Spotlight" is another option that can work well...

Looks like you need experimenting time to try (and

trust) the alternative auto options to ME...