Full, Half, or Thirds?

[PhotoWrangler]

Do you have your camera set up for full, half, or third stop increments? And why?



My reason for asking is because I've always used whatever the default setting was that Nikon cameras came with. However, through shooting film and manual cameras I've gained a better understanding of lighting using full stops. I'm starting to find that throwing half stops and third stops into the mix confuses me a bit more than I previously thought, and I'm thinking of setting my camera to full stops instead of whatever its on now. I wonder if that may end up being a hindrance though....

 

[Primoz]

I guess that means you can set your manual exposure no more accurately than 1stop. If you want to really nail your exposure exactly that's not accurate enough. Professional studio strobes for example can be set to 1/10 of a stop exactly in order to ensure a perfect exposure...

 

[KmH]

One-third stop steps give you more precise exposure control.

 

[Derrel]

I'm set for third-stop increments. There have been a few times though were 1/2 stop clicks might have been a good choice I think.

 

[SCraig]

Third stops here as well. I prefer having more precise control over exposures even though I can't always see the difference immediately.

 

[tirediron]

Thirds.

 

[fokker]

I go for third stops, pretty much just because that is how my first camera was set up so I'm used to it now. Although I only have my ISO settings in full-stop increments.

 

[MLeeK]

Third stops allow for more fine control.