Why does'nt the 10D have a spot meter?

[figment]

was da deal?

TIA

[CyberDyneSystems]

Just to piss us off!!!! :)

It is truly a PITA that there isn't one,. you can by a bare bones under $200.00 35mm SLR and get a true spot meter....

Oh well,.

[Cordell]

was da deal?

TIA

Buy a 1Ds and you might be happier.

[PaulB]

Because 95% of photographers don't know how to use one properly.
Because what is touted as a spotmeter in most cameras isn't.
Because Canon didn't consider it a good idea at the time for the price.

The idea to buy a 1Ds goes some way to solving the problem. Alternativly you can use some of the money you saved by buying the 10D over a 1D or 1Ds, buy a real spotmeter and then totally confuse yourself!

[scottbergerphoto]

Take a zoom lens. Zoom in so that the area you want to meter off of, fills the viewfinder. Voila, a spot meter.
Scott

[CyberDyneSystems]

lol,.. only works if you aren't zoomed all the way allready,. and still wishing you had a spot meter,..

Seriously,. for shooting wildlif outdoors,. a spot meter can be an absolute must...

It's especially fun to have some critic say,. "you should have metered the birds head,. " when clearly with the eyes in focus that is exactly what you did,. only the damn meter coveredge was too big and thus you got enough of the body and surrounding terrain to completely alter the metering.

[Belmondo]

I have a Pentax Spotmeter I carry for situations where I'm not inclined to trust the camera's metering. It's saved my bacon a few times, especially in strongly backlit situations.

I'd say a spotmeter is a 'must have' for a truly serious photographer. I'm still trying to figure out what I'm doing with one. :D

[iwatkins]

Yep, I'm still trying to decide which manual is the most complicated, the one for my Canon 550EX flash or the one that came with my Sekonic meter :lol:

Cheers

Ian

[figment]

Yep, I'm still trying to decide which manual is the most complicated, the one for my Canon 550EX flash or the one that came with my Sekonic meter :lol:

Cheers

Ian

I'm interested in one of those Sekonic meters...can it meter small areas far away? Say a single flower at 25 meters or so? From what I have observed, people hold them next to what they are shooting. I'm almost completely ignorant on this subject...

[PacAce]

I'm interested in one of those Sekonic meters...can it meter small areas far away? Say a single flower at 25 meters or so? From what I have observed, people hold them next to what they are shooting. I'm almost completely ignorant on this subject...

A light meter measures ambient light in one of two ways. The one most people are familiar with is the reflected light measurement. Whether the light meter is built into the camera or is a handheld unit, this meter measures the light that is reflected off the subject and surroundings, depending on how narrow or wide the angle of "view" of the light meter is. When taking reflected light readings, the meter is always pointed at the subject.

The other way of measuring ambient light is to directly measure the light that is falling on the subject. This is called incident light measuremen. In this case, the meter is pointed not at the subject but at the light source itself. If a person is holding the meter next to the subject, the flower in your example, but isn't pointing it at the subject but away from it, he's measuring the incident light. Usually, this gives the most accurate reading for setting the exposures.

Reflected light readings are not as accurate because it is affected by the actual reflectivity of the subject. Both incident light meters and reflected light meters set exposures for an average 18% gray tone.

And, as a side note, most if not all handheld meters can measure both incident and reflected lights because all it takes to measure incident light ia a white dome placed over the light sensor. Actually, it's a little more involved than that internally, but that's the main idea.

[figment]

PacAce ,

Thanks! Are the reflective metering capabilities of these type of meters very selective? IE: measure differences of reflectivity from one small area to another, from a distance...

[PacAce]

PacAce ,

Thanks! Are the reflective metering capabilities of these type of meters very selective? IE: measure differences of reflectivity from one small area to another, from a distance...

Yes it can be, depending on the angle of view of the spotmeter. For example, I believe the Sekonic L-558 has a 1 degree spotmeter. I'm just guessing but I think that would make it very selective.

The L-358 doesn't come with a spotmeter but you can get different attachments with different angles of view, from 10 degrees to 1 degree.

The spot meter looks like a little telescope and you look through it to find the spot you want to meter.

[GenEOS]

was da deal?

TIA

Buy a 1Ds and you might be happier.
You 1Ds owners really need to be a little more sensative to others.
We have feelings, you know!!!
Lucky Dawgs!

[CyberDyneSystems]

It was certainly a brusk answer and to imply that one needs a $7,000.00 camera to get an onboard spot meter is ridiculous.

Many sub $400.00 film cameras have them as do a number of "Prosumer" Digitals as low as $500.00 in cost. That the $1,500.00 10D did not have a spot meter is simply pathetic.

[scottbergerphoto]

All kidding aside, I started out with the L358 with 1 degree spot attachment. It worked fine but was cumbersome to use. I recently bought the Sekonic L558. It has a built in 1 degree spot meter with a digital read out in the viewfinder. Sweet!

[neil_r]

That the $1,500.00 10D did not have a spot meter is simply pathetic.

Now I may be wrong but, I am sure your 10D didnt have the ability to spot meter when you bought it. Now if I am wrong then you have every reason to be P***d off, but if I am right, then the choice was yours so live with it.

ho hum

N

[jimsloy]

Correct me if I'm wrong here - but doesn't RAW take the place of spot metering in most aspects? Why be so worried about metering when you can post process meter?

[scottbergerphoto]

Correct me if I'm wrong here - but doesn't RAW take the place of spot metering in most aspects? Why be so worried about metering when you can post process meter?
Shooting raw gives you some additional lattitude with exposure. You can't however recover detail that was lost in highly over or underexposed areas.
Scott

[CyberDyneSystems]

That the $1,500.00 10D did not have a spot meter is simply pathetic.

Now I may be wrong but, I am sure your 10D didnt have the ability to spot meter when you bought it. Now if I am wrong then you have every reason to be P***d off, but if I am right, then the choice was yours so live with it.

ho hum

N

What on earth is the problem with us wishing our cameras had something it hasn't got?

I do live with it every day, obviously,. that does not preclude anyone from do a little healthy "whining" :)

Did anyone say anything about being duped?

In fact I was well aware of the 10D's "Spotmeter shortcoming" when I purchased it,. but it was still the only Canon DSLR that I was in a position to afford.

Compromise made.

Oh well,. I live with it,.

...but I fail to see why we can not express or disappointment of the lack of a function in our equipment without having someone chime in and offering nothing but a crack.

Seriously if you have nothing to offer on the subject of spotemeters,. then why post?

There are three such posts in this thread and I am baffled by all three of them?

The fact that an individual does not require a spotmeter is hardly a reason to make crass comments of those that do like to take advantage of one?

Htere have been dozens of "wish lists" posted on many different foums asking what people would like to see in there next Camera.. And I have yet to see such negative posts issued towards thise threads.

Relax,. let us whine.. and let us discuss our stupid desire for a spotmeter in peice :wink:

Scott,
Come Spring, I may look into that meter.. I've been looking at the Sekonics and some of the cheaper ones as well..

[neil_r]

[quote="CyberDyneSystems
The fact that an individual does not require a spotmeter is hardly a reason to make crass comments of those that do like to take advantage of one?

Htere have been dozens of "wish lists" posted on many different foums asking what people would like to see in there next Camera.. And I have yet to see such negative posts issued towards thise threads.

..[/quote]

Ah...... I think I understand now.... but I do take a bit of exception to your first comment cos I have been using a spot meter for over 10 years, but what the hec.

As to the wish list... oh for a firmware upgrade to give me:-

GPS, cos I keep getting lost
Coffee dispenser
thing for getting stones out of horses hoofs
and of course a sense of humour

keep smiling

N

[Belmondo]

Is it time for a petition?

Let me start it:

Dear Santa,


You all can fill in the rest. :wink:

[Malaxos1]

I agree, a spot meter would have been nice. My last camera was an Olympus E10 with a true spot meter. I used to use it all the time. It was quick and easy, I would just take a reading of a mid tone part of the photo. This technique worked pretty well, sometimes I would be off a hair but easily fixed with PS levels...Dean

[figment]

I wish it had a spot meter and an eye-piece shutter like my old F1, and while I'm wishing, a 35mm format image sensor :lol: with 22mp. Make it cost $3k (just enough to keep out the riffraff....) :P

[jimsloy]

[quote="CyberDyneSystems
The fact that an individual does not require a spotmeter is hardly a reason to make crass comments of those that do like to take advantage of one?

Htere have been dozens of "wish lists" posted on many different foums asking what people would like to see in there next Camera.. And I have yet to see such negative posts issued towards thise threads.

..

Ah...... I think I understand now.... but I do take a bit of exception to your first comment cos I have been using a spot meter for over 10 years, but what the hec.

As to the wish list... oh for a firmware upgrade to give me:-

GPS, cos I keep getting lost
Coffee dispenser
thing for getting stones out of horses hoofs
and of course a sense of humour

keep smiling

N[/quote]


You might not find a link to that firmware upgrade from this forum...

"and of course a sense of humour"

AMEN TO THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well done!

[Cordell]

It was certainly a brusk answer and to imply that one needs a $7,000.00 camera to get an onboard spot meter is ridiculous.

Many sub $400.00 film cameras have them as do a number of "Prosumer" Digitals as low as $500.00 in cost. That the $1,500.00 10D did not have a spot meter is simply pathetic.

Actually it was a simple answer to yet another complaint about something not including something. You can't have everything, and even if one did, they still wouldn't be happy. Even with the 1Ds there are those who find something to complain about.