Amazing to me....(spot metering on selected AF point)

It's amazing to me that the PowerShot G9 (I just picked one up....neat camera) has spot metering on the selected AF point as an available feature while the Rebel, the 40D and 5D do not.

So, please correct me if I'm wrong here, one either needs a 1D body or a G9 for spot metering on the selected AF point. Go figure. If we can get this feature on a G9 why can't we get it on the lower end dSLRs?

Spot metering on the selected AF point is one of my favorite metering modes in Av, especially for portraits.

Just like to clarify that I don't really know much (anything) about metering on SLRs, but my tuppence worth is that:

Spot metering on a p&s is easy... since the image you get on the CCD viewfinder is what is hitting the exact same sensor that records the photos, you can choose to spot meter from any pixel or group of pixels you choose.

With an SLR it's a lot more tricky.

...I'm pretty sure someone will come up with a better explanation before too long =)

This is my major annoyance with Canon's DSLR line. I feel this should be in all the cameras. I have sent feedback to them on this and will do so again.

I'd like to be in one of their ad campaigns: "Why do all our DSLRs have spot metering off of any selected AF point? Because we listen."

Spot metering is available on the 30D.

Pandragon wrote in post #4027423
Spot metering is available on the 30D.

Not on a selected AF point it's not. Only the center of the viewfinder. 'Normal' spot is on 20D/30D/40D/5D.... but not in the way the OP is referring to.

AeroSmith wrote in post #4026988
It's amazing to me that the PowerShot G9 (I just picked one up....neat camera) has spot metering on the selected AF point as an available feature while the Rebel, the 40D and 5D do not.

So, please correct me if I'm wrong here, one either needs a 1D body or a G9 for spot metering on the selected AF point. Go figure. If we can get this feature on a G9 why can't we get it on the lower end dSLRs?

Spot metering on the selected AF point is one of my favorite metering modes in Av, especially for portraits.

Did you also notice that the G9 has a heck of a lot more AF points, too?

As TimmyEatChips pointed out, implementing lots of AF points and AF point spot metering on the G9 is a lot easier than with the EOS bodies because everything needed for focusing and spot metering on the G9 is coming off the sensor that also displays the image on the LCD and takes the actual picture. On the EOS bodies, the image sensor only takes pictures, a different set of sensors is used for metering and yet another set of sensors are used for AF.

Just going to reitterate what the others have mentioned. DSLRs meter and image from different sensors. However, in liveview it should be possible, no?

I noticed something too. On the RebelXT, the 5D, the 40D, and the 1DMkIII you can change lenses. There's a whole line of lenses you can use. The G9 doesn't have that apparently. So if you want to change lenses you have to use an SLR. Interesting.

BUT, they still all have LCD screens. Canon must be up to something.

My point being: don't compare apples to oranges.

Isn't the metering within the AF points? I'm confused.

gooble wrote in post #4027786
Just going to reitterate what the others have mentioned. DSLRs meter and image from different sensors. However, in liveview it should be possible, no?

You mean "live view" as in the feature available on the 40D and the Mark IIIs? Yes, it should be possible, if Canon chose to implement AF and AE using the image sensor. I'm just not sure how willing they'd be to do that, though.

jdizzle wrote in post #4027823
Isn't the metering within the AF points? I'm confused.

The AF sensors are located on the floor of the mirror box. The exposure metering sensors are located deep in the "ceiling" of the mirror box, where the prism is located.

This whole thing about "it's harder to do on a DSLR" is a bunch of bunk. Canon has done this 10 years ago on the EOS-3 camera. They artificially limit their consumer cameras functionality so that they can have feature separation with their pro level camera.

Nikon took the big step and used the same pro level metering in their D300 camera as their flagship D3 camera. I sure hope this puts pressure on Canon to follow Nikon's lead.

PacAce wrote in post #4027988
The AF sensors are located on the floor of the mirror box. The exposure metering sensors are located deep in the "ceiling" of the mirror box, where the prism is located.

Oh ok. Thanks. I'm not really into the mechanism part of the camera but now I know. Thanks Leo!

Hogloff wrote in post #4028141
This whole thing about "it's harder to do on a DSLR" is a bunch of bunk. Canon has done this 10 years ago on the EOS-3 camera. They artificially limit their consumer cameras functionality so that they can have feature separation with their pro level camera.

Nikon took the big step and used the same pro level metering in their D300 camera as their flagship D3 camera. I sure hope this puts pressure on Canon to follow Nikon's lead.

Oh the EOS 3, you mean the Pro Camera was the first to have the 45 AF point AF System that cost 5 times what the current film rebel of that era cost?

So nothing has changed really.

Many of you don't appear to be aware that Nikon has spot metering on all the AF points on the D200 etc. So, yes, it can be done even on a DSLR.

Technologically, Canon is simply lagging behind Nikon now, especially after the advent of the D3/D300.