20D meter question for the shutterbugs

[johneric8]

If manual mode is used for what it is intended like making your own settings and having control then why does it choose center weighted metering on say the Drebel. What use does the metering settings have in manual setting on say the 20D? I guess I'm confused a bit. Also. If you set Cf4 on the 20d to the back button (AE)being the focus and shutter button being the meter lock and shutter release what advantages does that have? Would it be fair to be to say that by setting it that way it is more convienant for a person who likes to check the metering himself and do an average based on the scene?

[René Damkot]

If manual mode is used for what it is intended like making your own settings and having control then why does it choose center weighted metering on say the Drebel. What use does the metering settings have in manual setting on say the 20D? I guess I'm confused a bit.
Not sure I understand the question, but FWIW on manual mode I would mostly use a 'dumb' metering mode, like spot, center weighted or average. That way I know what the camera is metering, and can compensate exposure myself. If I'ld use evaluative, the camera might start 'thinking' and I wouldn't know if it compensates for, say, a backlit situation.

Also. If you set Cf4 on the 20d to the back button (AE)being the focus and shutter button being the meter lock and shutter release what advantages does that have? Would it be fair to be to say that by setting it that way it is more convienant for a person who likes to check the metering himself and do an average based on the scene?
For me, the advantage is, it allows to lock AE and AF seperately when using evaluative metering. So I can focus on a subject and 'wait for the right light situation to come along'. You can also use AI servo and stil 'lock' focus by releasing *

[DaveG]

If manual mode is used for what it is intended like making your own settings and having control then why does it choose center weighted metering on say the Drebel. What use does the metering settings have in manual setting on say the 20D? I guess I'm confused a bit. Also. If you set Cf4 on the 20d to the back button (AE)being the focus and shutter button being the meter lock and shutter release what advantages does that have? Would it be fair to be to say that by setting it that way it is more convienant for a person who likes to check the metering himself and do an average based on the scene?

If you use the Manual setting and centre the needle, so to speak; you will get an excellent exposure no matter what type of metering method the camera is using. An exposure comes down to one shutterspeed and one aperture, no more no less. So don't think that you will get any particular holy grail insight if you choose average metering or evaluative metering. All of the metering settings will be great and they all will be wrong. It just depends on the situation.

Luckily in digital photography you no longer have to be in the predicting game; but now you are reviewing side of things. Get that first exposure and then check the histogram. Then you can change the exposure as you see fit.

As for CF 4, I don't pay too much attention to the exposure freezing part of that. I just use it to enable back (*) AF focusing, which I much prefer over the shuttterbutton AF focusing.