Nikon D3 Users - Exposure Compensation Button

[gramps]

On the D3 the exposure compensation button and rear wheel set the compensation as required. However, as I have learned to my cost, it doesn't automatically reset, if you forget to clear it every subsequent photo has the last setting.
I have heard that it is possible to change a setting so that exposure compensation clears when the D3 is switched off.
Anyone able to confirm this ... and if possible explain how?

TIA

 

[Lensflare]

Look in your custom settings. It MIGHT be in the book!

I use A and ev+- as my shooting method for nearly every situation.

The aperture is my main concern. I set the aperture and leave the camera to match the shutter to it. I then over ride this to give me manual control by using the exp comp button (that is why it was put there, to be so easy to use) and dial in what I need for what I want.

I find it hard to understand how you can "forget" that it is set. You have to do it for the situation in front of you, and the viewfinder display clearly indicates the exposure difference as over or under. Rather than worry about how to clear it by a setting - get into the habit of keeping track of your exposures and work the wheel as you shoot. I have no problem with it as it is. Reset everything to 0, body and flashes, before turning off. SIMPLE.

 

[gramps]

I find it hard to understand how you can "forget" that it is set. You have to do it for the situation in front of you, and the viewfinder display clearly indicates the exposure difference as over or under. Rather than worry about how to clear it by a setting - get into the habit of keeping track of your exposures and work the wheel as you shoot. I have no problem with it as it is. Reset everything to 0, body and flashes, before turning off. SIMPLE.

I'm at the age when it's easier to forget than to remember!
I guess that my problem is that I just tend to take the camera with me in the course of my work and stop to take some pics then shoot off and later stop again etc. So I rarely do say a day or half day shoot when I'm actually concentrating on photography.
My average 'shoot' is from pulling into a layby or a farm gate entrance to shoot something I've spotted and then drive off whilst on the hands-free to a customer!
I know there is a discipline to everything but sometimes there is a need for a shortcut, hence my hoping to find the 'reset' option to avoid exposure foul-ups again.

 

[arclight]

I'm at the age when it's easier to forget than to remember!
I guess that my problem is that I just tend to take the camera with me in the course of my work and stop to take some pics then shoot off and later stop again etc. So I rarely do say a day or half day shoot when I'm actually concentrating on photography.
My average 'shoot' is from pulling into a layby or a farm gate entrance to shoot something I've spotted and then drive off whilst on the hands-free to a customer!
I know there is a discipline to everything but sometimes there is a need for a shortcut, hence my hoping to find the 'reset' option to avoid exposure foul-ups again.

I have the same weakness as you with my Nikons, but gradually getting into the habit of zeroing the setting after every shot.

In the D700/300s Custom Settings Menu - b4 - Easy exposure compensation - there is a means of auto reset when the camera is switched off. Unfortunately it does not work work in Manual mode which is what I always use along with Auto ISO.

Probably got the same in your D3 if you want to try it.

 

[Ozei]

I have heard that it is possible to change a setting so that exposure compensation clears when the D3 is switched off.
Anyone able to confirm this ... and if possible explain how?

TIA

Set b4 to 'On (Auto reset)' - exposure compensation will zero itself when the camera or meters turn off.

NB. With this option you don't need to use the +/- button at all, just use the dials to set compensation.

Manual page 314.

 

[gramps]

In the D700/300s Custom Settings Menu - b4 - Easy exposure compensation - there is a means of auto reset when the camera is switched off. Unfortunately it does not work work in Manual mode which is what I always use along with Auto ISO.

Probably got the same in your D3 if you want to try it.

Set b4 to 'On (Auto reset)' - exposure compensation will zero itself when the camera or meters turn off.

NB. With this option you don't need to use the +/- button at all, just use the dials to set compensation.

Manual page 314.

Thanks, I'm going to have to double check this as I've tried it and it doesn't appear to zero for me :shrug:

 

[straycat]

i use it when photographing BIF for example then when of the skyline i can quickly turn the camera of then on to reset exposure compensation without 2 hands.