Manual Exposure Mode (M)

In this mode, you set both the shutter speed and aperture value as desired. To determine the exposure, refer to the exposure level indicator in the viewfinder or use a commercially available exposure meter.

M stands for Manual.

  1. Set the Mode dial to M.

  2. Set the ISO speed.

    • With ISO Auto, you can set exposure compensation ().

  3. Set the shutter speed and aperture value.

    • To set the shutter speed (1), turn the Main dial dial, and to set the aperture value (2), turn the Quick control dial dial.

  4. Focus on the subject.

    • Press the shutter button halfway.

    (1) Standard exposure index

    (2) Exposure level mark

    • The exposure setting will be displayed in the viewfinder.
    • Check the exposure level mark to see how far the current exposure level is from the standard exposure level.

  5. Set the exposure and take the picture.

    • Check the exposure level indicator and set the desired shutter speed and aperture value.
    • Left end of the exposure level indicator or Right end of the exposure level indicator is shown at the ends of the exposure level indicator if the exposure level exceeds ±3 stops (or in the viewfinder, ±2 stops) from standard exposure.

Exposure Compensation with ISO Auto

If the ISO speed is set to “A” (AUTO) for manual exposure shooting, you can set exposure compensation () as follows:

  • [Shooting: Expo.comp./AEB]
  • By holding down Set button and turning the Main dial dial when [SET] in the [13: Custom Controls] setting of [Set-up: Custom Functions(C.Fn)] is set to [Expo comp (hold btn, turn Main Dial)].
  • Quick Control screen

Caution

  • Exposure may not be as expected when ISO Auto is set, because the ISO speed is adjusted to ensure standard exposure for your specified shutter speed and aperture value. In this case, set the exposure compensation.
  • Exposure compensation is not applied in flash photography with ISO Auto, even if you have set an exposure compensation amount.

Note

  • To enable Auto Lighting Optimizer to be specified in Manual exposure mode as well, clear the [Check] mark for [Disable during man expo] in [Shooting: Auto Lighting Optimizer] ().
  • When ISO Auto is set, you can press the AE Lock button to lock the ISO speed.
  • If you press the AE Lock button and recompose the shot, you can see the exposure level difference on the exposure level indicator compared to when the AE Lock button was pressed.
  • Any existing exposure compensation amount is maintained if you switch to Manual exposure mode with ISO Auto after using exposure compensation in Program AE, Shutter-priority AE, or Aperture-priority AE mode ().
  • To coordinate exposure compensation in ½-stop increments with ISO speed set in ⅓-stop increments when [1: Exposure level increments] in [Set-up: Custom Functions(C.Fn)] is set to [1:1/2-stop] and used with ISO Auto, exposure compensation is further adjusted by adjusting shutter speed. However, the shutter speed displayed will not change.