how do i meter through viewfinder?

Moved to 60d from xti and really miss having the ability to meter in the viewfinder. I read through the manual and it tells me depending on the mode the aperture will flash if the meter detects improper exposure but I like being able to dial in a stop above/below etc while looking through viewfinder. I cannot find a setting to turn this on. The meter appears only to reflect exposure compensation.

I'm sure it is right in front if me but I am not seeing it.

Thanks
Shawn

edit: found I can do it in M mode but I'm 99% sure I could do it in AV mode since I shoot in that the majority of the time. Is there a way to get it in AV too? Do I have to turn off some other function to get it to work in AV/TV modes?

Not quite sure what you're after. You get the shutter speed and aperture in the viewfinder. If you want to dial in a stop above or below just dial it in through EC.

I'm after the function I had before where I meter and it shows me in the viewfinder that it is going to be properly exposed or slightly under/over. I can the adjust before taking image. It works perfectly in M but does not work in other modes.

As far as I know, the metering functions and viewfinder info is pretty much the same throughout all the Canon bodies. The only thing that comes close to what you're after is shooting in M mode.

Xti viewfinder:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/XTI​/XTIVIEWFINDER.HTM

60d viewfinder:

http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/E60​D/E60DVIEWFINDER.HTM

Is the 60d missing something that the XTi has? To me it appears to have the same stuff + more.

I think what you may be looking for is Exposure Compensation (EC), which is shown in the viewfinder, but I am thinking you are asking how to actually make the EC setting change, not why the exposure meter isn't showing in the viewfinder, which it is.... Does that sound right?....

If so, please check page 119 of your manual for how to use EC in AV and TV modes..... Start metering with a half-press of the shutter then turn the Quick Control dial on the back of the camera and you should see the EC in the viewfinder.

It's in all camera, at least 20D, 30D 40D, 50D, 60D, 7D, 1D, etc. You didn't mention what mode you shoot in.
In Av mode, pick an aperture and let camera select the shutter speed to meet the desired exposure . When you half press the shutter button, in the viewfinder you'll see the settings. If the camera cannot find the shutter speed for the selected aperture to achieve the desired Exposure, then it will blink. It's the same with Tv (aperture blinks) mode and M (in M mode, it's the gauge that blinks).

In M mode you get + 3 f-stop range shown in the VF. You can then over/under expose as you see fit. For the 'automatic' modes you need to dial in EC.

I agree with what you say and it makes sense but I will have double check because I can count on 1 hand the number of times I shoot in M but I never take a shot w/o checking the meter. I'm in AV/TV whenever possible. Especially for TV I adjust speed based off the meter. Routinely spinning the dial to adjust exposure.

Was that an added function of the 400plus software?

Docthomas wrote in post #14478514
I agree with what you say and it makes sense but I will have double check because I can count on 1 hand the number of times I shoot in M but I never take a shot w/o checking the meter. I'm in AV/TV whenever possible. Especially for TV I adjust speed based off the meter. Routinely spinning the dial to adjust exposure.

Was that an added function of the 400plus software?

Whn you are in Av or Tv mode, the camera exposes so that the meter would be centered. No reason to see that.

itzcryptic wrote in post #14478583
Whn you are in Av or Tv mode, the camera exposes so that the meter would be centered. No reason to see that.

Are you sure? I don't have a camera in front of me to verify at the moment, but i remember in Av/Tv mode, the exposure meter level in the viewfinder is not necessarily always in the center. It reflects the Exposure Compensation setting that you pick. Or are we talking about different things here?

On the 60D the meter shows in Av, Tv, P, M.

It does not show only in the green rectangle mode.

As expected, in Av, Tv, P the meter is centered. Unless the required exposure cannot be supported. Or you've set EC.

I don't understand what is the problem...

PS. I have the 60D in fron of me...

MakisM1 wrote in post #14478690
On the 60D the meter shows in Av, Tv, P, M.

It does not show only in the green rectangle mode.

As expected, in Av, Tv, P the meter is centered. Unless the required exposure cannot be supported. Or you've set EC.

I don't understand what is the problem...

PS. I have the 60D in fron of me...

Agreed this is exactly as my 60D behaves but not the way I remember my XTi working. I noticed it immediately as soon as I used the 60D first but I figured it was just a setting I needed to change. I'll get my XTi out when I get home.

Unless your XTi had some type of magic hacked firmware there's no difference in metering or viewfinder display.

I was running 400plus firmware

So now I just change my routine or switch to M