Recently I've noticed that when using my A7II and my HVL-F32M flash that the LCD looks as if the image is underexposed. I then bump up my FEC to +1, +1.3 to compensate. Then later when I look at the images on my computer they look over exposed. Is it my monitor that is too bright? Is the LCD not accurate and I should just trust the TTL flash metering? I'm not shooting something overly white or black.
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A7II - LCD image preview looks underexposed with flash
Bobo Hodls
Forum Pro
I'm barely flash fluent, but your question begs the question: When was the last time you calibrated your monitor?
PVCdroid
Senior Member
Recently? Something has changed then. Check settings for Flash compensation ("ambient and flash" or just "flash") as well as "Setting Effects On". With the flash on camera, turn it on and off. You should see the LCD brighten in a dark environment.
Bobo Hodls
Forum Pro
The eye can be deceived, especially with regard to brightness. My main unit is near a window, so what I detect from the display during the day and during the evening will vary. Hardware calibration can help greatly to take the guessing out of what is accurate. You can't account for other's monitors, but with yours calibrated you can surely account for what you are seeing to be what others SHOULD be seeing. And visa versa.
It should also help a lot with your immediate concern.
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...Bob, NYC
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"Well, sometimes the magic works. . . Sometimes, it doesn't." - Chief Dan George, Little Big Man
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Settings effect is ON, Exposure comp set to just ambient. Have had it set that way for quite a while. Setting effect I turn on and off (like when using a manual flash).
I'm guessing that I'm thinking I need more flash because the LCD isn't that bright in a rather dark environment. I guess I should be checking the historgram as well before turning up the FEC.
I'm guessing that I'm thinking I need more flash because the LCD isn't that bright in a rather dark environment. I guess I should be checking the historgram as well before turning up the FEC.
Bobo Hodls
Forum Pro
I use a Datacolor Spyder.
I second what Bob Tullis said about calibrating the screen. I also agree that it's simply not possible to calibrate consistently by eye. Like Bob, I use the Spyder. Without a properly calibrated screen it's not possible to compare what you see on your screen with what other people see on their screens.
I don't know your flash unit (I have a Nissin i40), but many dedicated flashes allow for adjusting the flash output (useful for fill flash) both on the camera and on the flash itself. Often these two setting option adds to each other. Check that you haven't by accident offset anything.
Your description could imply that you have BOTH a flash output issue AND a screen calibration issue at the same time.
I don't know your flash unit (I have a Nissin i40), but many dedicated flashes allow for adjusting the flash output (useful for fill flash) both on the camera and on the flash itself. Often these two setting option adds to each other. Check that you haven't by accident offset anything.
Your description could imply that you have BOTH a flash output issue AND a screen calibration issue at the same time.
People usually calibrate their monitors if they're going to do their own printing. I use A Spyder 4 pro, which does not guarantee perfect photos. When calibrating your monitor many factors have to be taken into account.
Type of monitor, is your monitor specifically for editing photographs? Your room should be painted in either gray or dark colors. Limit the amount of sun light through the windows. And, believe it or not, when editing your photos make sure you're wearing dark colored shirt that do not reflect your monitors light. This may sound stupid but its help me in editing and printing my photographs.
The LCD on your camera is unreliable and sometimes its better to shooting slightly under exposed, which you can later edit in Lightroom. Also, if you have a A7ii, you may want to view youtube video "Compressed vs Sony uncompressed raw file" by f64 academy for shooting in low light. Everyone here has some great advise and which you luck.
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