red -2 in upper left corner of Canon S2 IS

[AaronBBrown]

Especially in Manual Mode, I often see a "-2" in the upper left corner of the display. I've looked high and low and can't figure out what it's telling me...likely it's something to do with low lighting.

On a side note, is there a way to determine if enough light is getting to the camera, ala a traditional light meter? My parent's old Pentax 35mm from the mid-1960s had a nice little meter right in the display so you at least knew if the picture was going to be completely over- or under-exposed.

[XOO]

The "-2" is the EV equivalent. In reviewing shots, hitting the display button will show the histogram for the shot already taken. Can make your adjustments from that info.

[AaronBBrown]

The "-2" is the EV equivalent. In reviewing shots, hitting the display button will show the histogram for the shot already taken. Can make your adjustments from that info.

I'm still new on how exposure values work. What does knowing that value (-2) tell me? I do not have EV Compensation set.

[JTL]

Here's a neat trick for you: Go into playback mode, cycle the DISP button till you get to the histogram display. Now go in to record mode and hold the shutter release button after the shot and the histogram appears for the shot you just took! No need to manually go into display mode to view the histogram! (BTW, this works on the A610/A620 as well)

Also, if you put the camera in P mode...for the selected ISO, the camera displays what it believes the proper combo of aperture and shutter speed is when you half-press the shutter release. If you see the the aperture is too wide or the shutter speed too slow, you know you have to up the ISO. Start at 50 and work your way up.

Poor man's metering! ;)

[JTL]

I'm still new on how exposure values work. What does knowing that value (-2) tell me? I do not have EV Compensation set.It means, according to the metering system, you're underexposing by 2 stops. But, with the S2, I've found that you want to slightly underexpose a little...1/3, 2/3 of a stop...

[AaronBBrown]

So, at least theoretically, the camera, when displaying -2 is telling me I need to open the aperature 2 positions or quadruple the exposure time (or some combination thereof)?

[JTL]

So, at least theoretically, the camera, when displaying -2 is telling me I need to open the aperature 2 positions or quadruple the exposure time (or some combination thereof)?Right...almost...think in steps...every aperture step is equal to a shutter speed step, inversely related...the lower the f/number the higher the shutter speed number (and visa vera). It's called reciprocity...a stop is a stop, in time interval or aperture (for example, from an exposure perspective, on the S2, f/5 at 1/400 is the same f/4.5 at 1/500...of course your DOF changes, though)...and it remains the same until you get to longer shutter speeds and then reciprocity failure takes over and you have to compensate...but that's another story...

[AaronBBrown]

It seems that the EV reading isn't compensating for the flash at all. How do I know how much to adjust for the flash?

[JTL]

It seems that the EV reading isn't compensating for the flash at all. How do I know how much to adjust for the flash?Ah...one of the warts of the S2 revealed! In manual mode it's totally manual! You are left to your own devices with no help from the camera. You have to press FUNC and go to the little flash icon and set it yourself...via trial and error. But in Av and Tv modes, you can set Flash Adjust (via the MENU button) to auto and it will automatically compensate/adjust...

[Dawoofo]

The red -2 means underexposed by at least 2 stops.

[JTL]

Hey, as long as we're disscusing flash and the S2, here's a little trick I have. I think the flash on the S2 a little harsh. So, for lack of a commercially available diffuser (Susan at Lensmate, are you listening? Another great idea for you!), I found this idea on the Sony thread at dpreview... It's a deodorant cap. Specifcally Crystal Roll On (the guy over there used a different brand for his H1)...it's a perfect fit...like it was made for the S2! :)

http://JTL.smugmug.com/photos/51894301-M-0.jpg

[Dawoofo]

Wish I would've known about that at Christmas...I tried a bottle of antacid tablets and even the thumb off a latex glove. :D

[kai]

or u can just hold a piece of paper or napkin up blocking the flash, it should diffuse the flash

[JTL]

or u can just hold a piece of paper or napkin up blocking the flash, it should diffuse the flashNow what fun would that be? :D