20D Question .

[Marshy]

When the * button is used for auto focus how is partial metering selected ? and why is this method more usefull ?

[HJMinard]

You manually select partial metering using the button on the top of the camera (that's the one of the far right). See page 71 of the user manual.

This method is more useful because it completely separates focusing and metering. There are many reasons why that is beneficial. One example: a moving subject is going in and out of shadows as it moves ... you can maintain continuous focus with the * button but the metering doesn't take place until you push the shutter button to take the picture ... correctly exposing the subject, wherever it might be at that moment. Clear as mud?

[Marshy]

You manually select partial metering using the button on the top of the camera (that's the one of the far right). See page 71 of the user manual.

This method is more useful because it completely separates focusing and metering. There are many reasons why that is beneficial. One example: a moving subject is going in and out of shadows as it moves ... you can maintain continuous focus with the * button but the metering doesn't take place until you push the shutter button to take the picture ... correctly exposing the subject, wherever it might be at that moment. Clear as mud?
Thanks for that , don,t get my 20D till later this week and the 300D doesn,t have a seperate partial meter , does this method take some getting used to considering how many fingers we have ?

[HJMinard]

Thanks for that , don,t get my 20D till later this week and the 300D doesn,t have a seperate partial meter , does this method take some getting used to considering how many fingers we have ?

Yes, it will take a little while before it becomes second nature, but I think it's worth the effort.

One thing I wish were different ... I wish the * button would wake the camera up. Too many times I try to take a picture and my first instinct (now) is to push the * button. If the camera is asleep the shutter button needs a half press to wake it back up.

[Marshy]

Yes, it will take a little while before it becomes second nature, but I think it's worth the effort.

One thing I wish were different ... I wish the * button would wake the camera up. Too many times I try to take a picture and my first instinct (now) is to push the * button. If the camera is asleep the shutter button needs a half press to wake it back up.
As with the 300 is the * button meant to be for exposure lock ? To wake up do you mean after the auto shut down has kicked in ?

[HJMinard]

As with the 300 is the * button meant to be for exposure lock ? To wake up do you mean after the auto shut down has kicked in ?

Yes, it is by default used for exposure lock. And yes, I mean after auto shutdown has occurred.