Metering mode

[TeriD]

Can someone please explain metering modes to me, the short info I have in my manual really doesnt make it very clear for me. Thanks

[rocker83]

Just type in metering into the forum search. You will have a wealth of knowledge, ya just got to be prepared to read read read. Good luck!

[20droger]

Assuming you have a non-pro Canon DSLR, it's really very simple.

The camera has two mode types: basic and creative. Creative is what's important.

The four creative modes are:

P = program mode: the camera decides both aperture and shutter speed for proper exposure.

Av = aperture priority mode: you set whatever aperture you wish, and the camera determines the shutter speed for proper exposure.

Tv = shutter-speed (time) priority mode: you set whatever shutter speed you wish, and the camera determines the aperture for proper exposure.

M = manual mode: you set both the aperture and the shutter speed. Proper exposure is up to you.

The basic modes are simply the creative modes with various preset values. All those custom things like white balance, etc., are predetermined.

The basic modes act like the creative modes with all those "custom" things like white balance pre-determined for you. The behind the scenes creative mode is also predetermined.

The magic green box (auto mode) is like the P mode with custom tweaking. This mode turns your DSLR into a P&S.

Portrait mode assumes you're taking a portrait and want a shallow depth of field, thereore the mode is like Av with a large aperture (small f/number).

Landscape mode assumes that you want a deep depth of field, so the mode is like Av with a small aperture (large f/number).

Sports mode assumes you wish to stop action, so the mode is like Tv with a fast shutter speed.

And so forth.

If you wish to learn more than your manual can teach you, I recommend getting a ShortCourse book/CD specific to your camera. These can be found here (http://www.shortcourses.com/).

Above all, nothing beats experience, so get out there and experiment with every mode you have. Find out what they really do.

Have fun!

[Moppie]

Assuming you have a non-pro Canon DSLR, it's really very simple.

The camera has two mode types: basic and creative. Creative is what's important.

The four creative modes are:


They are not metering modes, they are the shooting modes ;)


The metering modes used by Canon Digital cameras are:
Evaluative metering
Centre weighted metering
Partial metering
Spot metering

All of them have the 1st 3, and most of the new ones also have Spot metering.


The shooting mode you are useing may determine which metering mode you have access to.
To the best of my knolwedge shooting in P, Av, Tv and M will give you acess to all of them.

Evaluative metering is generaly the defult setting. Its also the one most likely to be used by any of the basic shooting modes.
Its Canons idea of how the ultimate metering system should work, but IMO it is a complete waste of time. In theory it looks at the whole scene and evaluates all its elements to determine exposure. But, its easily fooled by high contrast, bright or dark spots etc.

Centre weighted metering does much the same as above, but pays closer attention to the centre of the scene, and puts a stronger emphasis on it.
Because of this it is a lot more reliable, more predictable and quite useable.

Partial metering meters only a small part in the middle of the scene (or around the active focus point on some cameras). Usualy about 6% of the image area.

Spot Metering meters an even smaller part of the image, usually around 3% of the image scene. Again, in some cameras it can be tied to the active focus point.




Metering of course is a much more complex subject, but understanding the basic modes the camera uses to meter a scene is a good start :)

[Mark_Cohran]

Excellent explanation, Moppie. :)

Mark

[TeriD]

They are not metering modes, they are the shooting modes ;)


The metering modes used by Canon Digital cameras are:
Evaluative metering
Centre weighted metering
Partial metering
Spot metering

All of them have the 1st 3, and most of the new ones also have Spot metering.


The shooting mode you are useing may determine which metering mode you have access to.
To the best of my knolwedge shooting in P, Av, Tv and M will give you acess to all of them.

Evaluative metering is generaly the defult setting. Its also the one most likely to be used by any of the basic shooting modes.
Its Canons idea of how the ultimate metering system should work, but IMO it is a complete waste of time. In theory it looks at the whole scene and evaluates all its elements to determine exposure. But, its easily fooled by high contrast, bright or dark spots etc.

Centre weighted metering does much the same as above, but pays closer attention to the centre of the scene, and puts a stronger emphasis on it.
Because of this it is a lot more reliable, more predictable and quite useable.

Partial metering meters only a small part in the middle of the scene (or around the active focus point on some cameras). Usualy about 6% of the image area.

Spot Metering meters an even smaller part of the image, usually around 3% of the image scene. Again, in some cameras it can be tied to the active focus point.




Metering of course is a much more complex subject, but understanding the basic modes the camera uses to meter a scene is a good start :)

Thanks Moppie, I thought maybe I got my question mixed up when I read 20drogers post (which was a good explanation btw).

Now would you suggest me as a begginer using the centre weighted only or at least until I know more than what I know now?