metering questions

[arcticreaver]

hi guys, need some help.

with metering, such as evaluative, spot, partial, and center weighted average metering....

uhhh when should i switch the metering? for what type of pictures so i be changing the meter? i'm guessing that the evaluative is just an average or for a basic shot.

but what are the others for?

[urfslam]

I'm no expert, but everything I've read suggests that you stick with one metering mode and learn how that works, then if you need to branch out. I think most people use one or two for the vast majority of their shots.

urf.

[SpecialK]

Spot metering measures a very small ("spot") area. If your subject is small and very dark or bright compared to the background, you can use spot to measure your subject. Many people recommend this for bird shots and similar, but it still requires interpretation as all metering does.

Evaluative measures several points (varies by brand) and uses some formula or algorithm to determine the best exposure. It supposedly will correct for backlit subjects, for instance.

Center-weighted is just that - it gives more emphasis to the tones in the middle of the shot.

I use evaluative all the time. It is very close to the same as centerweighted that I don't notice enough difference to worry about it. I never use spot.

To me, if you have enough time to flip between metering modes, you have time to simply review your last shot and add some exposure comp as needed.

[fionndruinne]

If you'd like to learn more about metering, I suggest setting your camera to spot for awhile and shooting a lot. It also helps to set the AE (auto-exposure=metering) lock to half-press of the shutter, so when you meter off something, then recompose, the camera won't readjust the metering.

Using spot can help you understand just how your camera meters.

[Rhys]

I use almost exclusively evaluative metering. It works for me very well. The difference between spot and evaluative when used correctly is so close that in any error circumstance, RAW will get you through to a perfect photo.

[Rooz]

2 things to consider when looking at metering:

1. alot depends on the dynamic range in the frame you are shooting. cameras are only capable of recording about 9 stops of dynamic range so if the thing you want exposed perfectly is quite different to the rest of the scene, you should spot meter.

2. if the thing you want to expose PERFECTLY is alot more important to the shot than the rest of the frame, then you spot meter off that part. for portrait work, this is generally speaking spot metering off the eyes. here is an example of why spot metering is critical for eyes:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2835861690_abcc5a1fb5_b.jpg

while matrix/ evaluative metering is great for most circumstances, in cases where the success of your shot depends on great exposure of a particualr thing in the scene, then spot meter it. to say you just use evaluative and "fix it later" is really failing to understand what metering and exposure is all about. by that logic you may aswell just whack everything in auto and fix it all in post.

[faisal]

I wish I had spot metering!!!! Would make portrait work so much more easier...

[Rhys]

You have partial metering.

[faisal]

true but I'd like something that meters off something smaller....

[SpecialK]

true but I'd like something that meters off something smaller....

How about a gray card?