Metering Method

[Paul]

I was wondering if others used different types of metering methods or stuck with one for most of their photography. My Canon 40D has the following methods:

Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Center-Weighted.

I have always used evaluative and have never changed it. Since Tim's Photography 101 at Mousefest this year, I have changed my ways regarding the focus points on the 40D and have only been using the center focus point. I think this has helped me a great deal in getting a sharp focus on exactly what I want. I was just curious if switching to Spot metering is something I should consider since it appears that this would help and pinpoint the light level on the subject I want to photograph.

 

[Roger]

and have only been using the center focus point. I think this has helped me a great deal in getting a sharp focus on exactly what I want.

Okay, I'm confused. There is always a problem, depending on the subject distance that focus and recompose may actually change the focus distance and the end result won't be in focus. Granted, it's only going to show at large apertures, macro shots, but...was there a problem with focus points that aren't the center?

I was just curious if switching to Spot metering is something I should consider since it appears that this would help and pinpoint the light level on the subject I want to photograph.

If you have a large contrast range in the scene, yes spot metering for that one particular point is useful at least to gather information about the light level. However, it is risky because if you don't use manual mode, you may underexpose the rest of the image horribly since the camera will meter "correctly" for the size of the spot meter.

 

[Tim]

metering and focus points are two different things.

the reason that i recommend center point for focus is simple: consistency. you know where the camera will focus every time and never have to worry about what point you used last when you need a quick shot. yes, it does change the distance <slightly> but when i recommend focus/recompose it is to make slight adjustments so you never see it in the finished photo.

re: metering, i mostly use evaluative unless i have a scene that is giving me a hard time then i might switch over to spot to check my reading. i ususally then use a bit of exposure compensation to fine tune what i am looking for.

 

[Roger]

Okay. I understand. The majority of the time I'll just use the center focus point (a great thing for programing the point changing button to quickly go back to the center point), but I've really enjoyed the 3D Color Matrix focusing when using continuous focusing.

 

[Paul]

Tim/Roger, thanks for your inputs. I will continue with the center focus and evaluative metering and try spot metering when I sense it might be useful.