Leica M-D Exposure Compensation (EV) Explained 

Let me know what you think! Are you using the EV function a lot?

The meter "thinks" it is pointed at a middle toned subject. However, you may point it at something brighter or darker than middle tone. A simple thing to remember is: If it's bright, add more light (plus compensation) If it's black, take some back. (minus compensation) If it's grey, let it stay. (zero compensation) For example, meter off a caucasian palm and that is one stop brighter than middle tone, so add one stop to your exposure. You can easily do that by setting a +1 with the M-D's compensation. For a guideline you can consider: your palm +1 something very white +2 shade -1 quite dark or black -2 I've used this with film 60/40 camera and spot meters for decades and now use it effectively with my M-D. Test it well and adjust to taste.

Very useful information for me! Now iv start to use EV on my M9 rangefinder 🤝

Markus, thanks again ❤‼️

Wonderful explanation. I really enjoyed this tutorial, you make it easy to grasp the notion. I already made a system in my head to remember it. Snow: Overcompensate (+ side by 2/3 stops depending) and a black old dial telephone which is black: undercompensate (-side by 2/3 depending). My old Olympus OM4t film camera which I still own did this with two small buttons that were engraved with the words highlight and shadow when shooting in exposure compensation mode. Of course, you can do it manually too.

Thank you 🙏🏻 this was a great video

I use EV compensation on my MD for scenes in the wilderness of Oklahoma where I live. Early in the morning the sun hits the tree line on the mountains and the rest is shady. An EV value of -.7 helps handle this situation...!

I think its the same on my Mp Typ 240 as I use it like an MD with the screen turned off. However I do think the + and - button is in a very awkward position ( on the Mp240) it is at the front of the camera and hard to use. I think it would have been much more ergonomic positioned at the back where one could use one thumb to operate it. But in all Markus you have elegantly explained EV extremely well. Thanks

Great video, simple explanation which would have helped me in Bern last month when I shot my M6 Classic with a Summicron 35mm on T-Max 400. Many thanks. My question is: can you adjust compensation also by slowing or accelerating your shutter speed by one click rather than forcing your EV up or down one stop?

great video! I basically only shoot fully manual with my M10-D but maybe I should start using it in auto iso/ auto shutter speed in some situations .. I always have trust issues trusting any camera with the exposure, I don't know why.

Thank you VM!

Thank you very much for this video. Great as always stay safe

Wondering if EV compensation can be used in manual mode...?

Learning EV on my m10r

Understood. I have an old M4 and use a hand Minolta meter and am still learning light. That said , my question is, not having any of the digital Leicas( M240 is on my bucket list), can you set the light meter from spot to center-weighted to matrix?

Great video, Markus! Would love to be a Leica owner at some point.

Interesting but after 17 minutes you tell us that you don’t even use the EV function at all, ever. 😂 I don’t use it but try and get the aperture and shutter speed correct. I was a bit suspicious of EV comp on my M10-D. How does it work electronically?