Correct Exposure & Filters... Do They Screw Things Up?

[68lbs]

Ok, this has really been buggin me!

Ever since I started using filters, my ability to correctly expose shots seems to have gone right out the window. I use 'centre weighted average' and usually shoot AV ever since a thread a couple of months ago, and some advice from DiddyDave. Dial in a bit of +ve/-ve as needs be, and everything seems to work fine the majority of the time.

However...

With my filters on (1 x ND and 1 x GND max at any one time) the meter just doesn't seem to know what's going on and I've reverted back to shooting Manual with filters. The meter seems to under-read everything, and I end up having to (according to the meter) over expose everything, to get a correctly exposed shot. And we're not talking a smidge, but upto 2 stops this morning when I was out.

I am guessing my understanding of exposure is missing some knowledge somewhere. So am hoping someone can help me out.

 

[pxl8]

There are lots of reasons so an example shot would help in giving an answer...

 

[68lbs]

Here ya go... straight from camera just resized...

Full exif in-tact. If I remember right, this is one where the meter read almost 2 full stops over exposed. Info not in the exif is that I had 2 filters in place. a hitech 0.9 GND, and a hitech 0.9 ND.

Oh no... now everyone can see how crap I am at getting the horizon straight in camera.

 

[The Matt]

Do you expose with GND filters on or off? I've been told (and agree) that it's best to expose for the foreground with the grad filters off, then slide them down in to place. Otherwise the metering will attempt to correct for the effect it gives, which you don't really want.

 

[Janice]

Spot meter from sky... then foreground and if the difference is 2 stops use a 2 stop ND grad slid down from the top.

Then expose from the foreground and take your shot.

 

[68lbs]

Spot meter from sky... then foreground and if the difference is 2 stops use a 2 stop ND grad slid down from the top. Then expose from the foreground and take your shot.

Good bloody gawd! I sometimes wonder if I am cut out for this 'flashy camera' lark. Sounds obvious now you've said it. But what I want to know if, why didn't I think of that?!

Makes me wonder how many other 'obvious' skills I am lacking. :bang: