In Camera Metering...what do you prefer?

Which is your prefered method (as in, what do you use most of the time)

Evaluative
Center weighted
Spot
or
Partial

or do you forgo in-camera metering altogether and use a light meter?

Depends on the situation. HOwever, it's usually evaluative, or spot. Evaluative when I'm shooting quickly, and spot when I have the time to meter each part of the scene. I haven't found a great use for centre weighted....unless I'm taking a picture of a target or something. If I need to meter a face, I'll just use spot metering.


-Kirk

I tend to shoot in fairly dark situations so I use partial to meter off people's faces. I'd use spot if I had it.

Manual mostly, the indicator in the viewfinder meters in partial and shows the exposure on the ruler thingy, it just doesn't adjust the exposure - I do that myself. Av in partial when i'm in a hurry.

I seem to do just fine with the in-camera metering. I haven't been able to justify getting a light meter when the camera metering and the histogram tell me everything I need to know. For now, my money is better spent on other camera gear.

Oh, I forgot to mention I use a light meter for wedding work. If the light isn't changing too often I meter, check it on the histogram, then shoot away. It means I don't have to worry about metering, which when you're dealing with white dresses and black tuxes can be a pain. I take a look at the histogram every now and then to make sure it looks ok. I'd do fine without a light meter but it's faster.

When the light's changing rapidly I use Av/partial.

I love the spot meter.