Approve the Cookies
This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and our Privacy Policy.
OK
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Guest
Forums  •   • New posts  •   • RTAT  •   • 'Best of'  •   • Gallery  •   • Gear
Register to forums    Log in

 
FORUMS Community Talk, Chatter & Stuff General Photography Talk 
Thread started 02 Jan 2005 (Sunday) 10:11
Search threadPrev/next
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

metering question

 
OceanRider
Senior Member
Avatar
692 posts
Joined Dec 2004
Location: Whitby, near Toronto
     
Jan 02, 2005 10:11 |  #1

Metering question

Hi all,

I am having trouble understanding when to use each metering mode on my 20D. Have read the manual but its somewhat vague.

EVALUATIVE METERING-This looks like it takes the entire picture into consideration before setting exposure.

PARTIAL METERING - Measures just the center area to obtain proper exposure.

CENTERWEIGHTED AVERAGE METERING-Weighted at center than averaged for entire scene.

Which one is the best one to have on as default?Do you really notice a difference switching them around?

Any thoughts or insight would be appreciated.

Joel:D


Canon 20D X 2 & 580EX
Canon EFS 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II
LumiQuest Pro Max; Omnibounce; Newton Di100CR

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
donlavange
Goldmember
Avatar
1,600 posts
Joined Nov 2004
Location: Cumberland, RI, USA
     
Jan 02, 2005 19:38 |  #2

I think the evaluative metering works well and you can see the active spot that is the focal point. For long lenses, the center is of value.

I still like to make a final manual check on the focus point by eye (if I have the time). And if I have enough light to see clearly enough.


Don LaVange
You cannot control the wind, but you can set the sails!
"Follow your Bliss"--- Joseph Campbel

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
PacAce
Cream of the Crop
Avatar
26,900 posts
Likes: 40
Joined Feb 2003
Location: Keystone State, USA
     
Jan 02, 2005 21:17 as a reply to  @ donlavange's post |  #3

Evaluative metering places emphasis on the AF point, which the camera assumes is where the important subject is. However, it also takes into consideration the reading from the other parts of the frame and based on information of similar scenes stored in a database, an appropriate exposure setting is calclulated. Using evaluative metering, scenes like those that are backlit would give you a better picture than if the center-weighted average metering had been used. Evaluative metering only work when the camera is in AF mode. If you switch to manual focusing of the lens, the camera defaults to center-weighted average metering.

For scenes where the entire frame has equal importance with no particuclar subject, such as an ordinary landscape, or where the entire frame is filled with the subject, center-weighted average metering would give you a good exposure. But that's not to say that the other metering modes can't be used in a similar situation.

If you care more about getting the subject properly exposed without regard to the exposure of the background, then you would use partial metering with the center area over the subject. This ensures that the exposure reading is not influenced much by the background.

I don't think there is any one particular metering mode that is better or superior to the others. It all a matter of knowing how each behaves and using each to your advantage. Obviously it's going to take some time to get familiar with each of these metering modes but that will only happen if spend some time with each mode. Most people are happy just using the evaluative metering mode. Others feel more comfortable using the averaged metering because it's more predictable than evaluative.


...Leo

  
  LOG IN TO REPLY
sponsored links (only for non-logged)

1,695 views & 0 likes for this thread, 3 members have posted to it.
metering question
FORUMS Community Talk, Chatter & Stuff General Photography Talk 
AAA
x 1600
y 1600

Jump to forum...   •  Rules   •  Forums   •  New posts   •  RTAT   •  'Best of'   •  Gallery   •  Gear   •  Reviews   •  Member list   •  Polls   •  Image rules   •  Search   •  Password reset   •  Home

Not a member yet?
Register to forums
Registered members may log in to forums and access all the features: full search, image upload, follow forums, own gear list and ratings, likes, more forums, private messaging, thread follow, notifications, own gallery, all settings, view hosted photos, own reviews, see more and do more... and all is free. Don't be a stranger - register now and start posting!


COOKIES DISCLAIMER: This website uses cookies to improve your user experience. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies and to our privacy policy.
Privacy policy and cookie usage info.


POWERED BY AMASS forum software 2.58forum software
version 2.58 /
code and design
by Pekka Saarinen ©
for photography-on-the.net

Latest registered member is Thunderstream
1224 guests, 126 members online
Simultaneous users record so far is 15,144, that happened on Nov 22, 2018

Photography-on-the.net Digital Photography Forums is the website for photographers and all who love great photos, camera and post processing techniques, gear talk, discussion and sharing. Professionals, hobbyists, newbies and those who don't even own a camera -- all are welcome regardless of skill, favourite brand, gear, gender or age. Registering and usage is free.