Center weighted area: Does any one notice any difference in using the setting that has a 6 -8 or 10 Percent setting value on your center weight metering . I use a nikon , and I can't...

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Does any one notice any difference in using the setting that has a 6 -8 or 10
Percent setting value on your center weight metering . I use a nikon , and I can't see a difference in any of those settings . But I use spot metering . Would it be used more in portraits or scenic matrix ?

Quixdraw Loc: x

My Nikon manual suggests portraits or when using filters. I have not done it, but the book says you can go to the menu and custom settings to modify the area. I'd check your manual.

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

quixdraw wrote:

My Nikon manual suggests portraits or when using filters. I have not done it, but the book says you can go to the menu and custom settings to modify the area. I'd check your manual.

I was thinking portraits but ,I can't see the diff so I just set on ten percent and Spot metering .

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

What am I missing here?

Isn't spot metering much less than 10 percent? Or are you referring to two different things?

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bram boy wrote:

Does any one notice any difference in using the setting that has a 6 -8 or 10
Percent setting value on your center weight metering . I use a nikon , and I can't see a difference in any of those settings . But I use spot metering . Would it be used more in portraits or scenic matrix ?

When using center weighted metering, the size of the center weight area only seems to matter greatly if the area you choose is predominately one color and the balance f the frame another. It's almost like using a spot meter which measures 1-5 degrees. You narrow down to emphasize a certain portion of the picture. Inasmuch as you use primarily spot metering and can change the size of your spot, you can accomplish the same thing, and with your experience, you can then make a determination whether the remainder of the scene requires compensation. As long as you have been shooting, go with your gut!

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

moonhawk wrote:

What am I missing here?

Isn't spot metering much less than 10 percent? Or are you referring to two different things?

I can set spot metering or other . But in your menus there is a center weighted and if you click it you get three choose 6-8- or 10 percent for
Center weighted metering . And nothing else about spot or matrix . I don't
Think it makes a big difference one way or another . I just set to spot mmeatering and set that center weight to 10 percent . It's mostly used for
Birds . Along with B Buttion

Bram boy Loc: Vancouver Island B.C. Canada

Mogul wrote:

When using center weighted metering, the size of t... (show quote)

Mogul is it best to use the biggest 10 percent or the smallest 6 percent on
Birds . I use 10 I'm thinking it gives you more room for error . If your using
6 percent could it be a bit harder to stay on focus on a flying bird . I haven't
Tried the other focus settings . Maybe I'll try the on these steller jays and palliated wood pecker . downies and haired tomorrow

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Bram boy wrote:

Mogul is it best to use the biggest 10 percent or the smallest 6 percent on
Birds . I use 10 I'm thinking it gives you more room for error . If your using
6 percent could it be a bit harder to stay on focus on a flying bird . I haven't
Tried the other focus settings . Maybe I'll try the on these steller jays and palliated wood pecker . downies and haired tomorrow

It depends on the remainder of the focus area and how it complements the subject or varies from the subject. It also depends on whether your metering area is also your focusing area. Large areas are easier to maintain focus, but an overly bright background can underexposed your subject. On the other hand, a small area may be hard to focus (especially on a rapidly moving subject), but filling the metering area with your subject will give more accurate exposure. Understand that I am not thinking about birds on the wing (hawks, waterfowl, etc). I am more concerned with small birds that flit about and are hard to meter and focus; the marsh wren is especially hard for me. I don't know about the woodpeckers, but stellar Jay's will depend on whether they are relaxed and comfortable or have been repeatedly disturbed and are nervous. If you have them in your area, try to find a pinion jay. They are confident, stable and usually bob their heads before flying. Good luck!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

When film cameras were so popular Nikon began using center weighted metering as a 60% center weighted. Eventually they moved to 80% which offered better accuracy.
I have not experimented with the new percentages used with digital camera and keep mine at 8%. It seems pretty accurate at that setting for my needs.
8% of the frame is not that large and there is still 92% of the frame that measures the rest of the light entering the camera and in my experience I have not noticed a significant shift of exposure in most subjects.
It would be interesting determining how this by default 8% works against the old 80%.

Quixdraw Loc: x

camerapapi wrote:

When film cameras were so popular Nikon began usin... (show quote)

FYI
From the old Nikon Nikkormat Manual "Although they (Nikon Cameras) measure the intensity of light in the entire 24x36 mm picture field, they favor the central portion corresponding to the 12mm circle on the focusing screen."

BebuLamar

Current Nikon cameras has a fixed weigh of 25/75 but the size of the center circle are adjustable although it's default at 12mm. You can set this circle smaller or larger but can not change the weigh percentage which is a fixed 25/75.
Old Nikon has a weigh of 40/60 the Nikon F3 has a weigh of 20/80 but that's because the meter of the F3 has to measure thru the mirror and the holes in the mirrors are only in the center.
Nikon changed to the 25/75 weighing when they introduced the F4.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

Bram boy wrote:

I can set spot metering or other . But in your menus there is a center weighted and if you click it you get three choose 6-8- or 10 percent for
Center weighted metering . And nothing else about spot or matrix . I don't
Think it makes a big difference one way or another . I just set to spot mmeatering and set that center weight to 10 percent . It's mostly used for
Birds . Along with B Buttion

Got it. Thanks!

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

BebuLamar wrote:

Current Nikon cameras has a fixed weigh of 25/75 but the size of the center circle are adjustable although it's default at 12mm. You can set this circle smaller or larger but can not change the weigh percentage which is a fixed 25/75.
Old Nikon has a weigh of 40/60 the Nikon F3 has a weigh of 20/80 but that's because the meter of the F3 has to measure thru the mirror and the holes in the mirrors are only in the center.
Nikon changed to the 25/75 weighing when they introduced the F4.

My F3 was so accurate it almost made me lazy. I usually only had to tweak it if I had a specific reason to so so.

With my digital cameras, it seems like my default exposure is -2/3 stops. Of course, it's nice to be able to chimp the results.

Quixdraw Loc: x

[quote=moonhawk Of course, it's nice to be able to chimp the results.[/quote]

Amen to that. Instant review is a fantastic learning tool, since you can make virtually any reasonable shot work. Then the next time, not a stretch, just normal.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Bram boy wrote:

Does any one notice any difference in using the setting that has a 6 -8 or 10
Percent setting value on your center weight metering . I use a nikon , and I can't see a difference in any of those settings . But I use spot metering . Would it be used more in portraits or scenic matrix ?

I use matrix metering. If there's high contrast, then I'll test shoot and bracket if needed to get what I want.