Metering Modes: I have Canon T3i and my metering modes are Evaluative, Partial, Spot, and Center- weighted average. Do you guys change modes or just stay with one mode most of the...

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Metering Modes

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Mar 11, 2012 10:47:29 #

Drumdr

I have Canon T3i and my metering modes are Evaluative, Partial, Spot, and Center- weighted average. Do you guys change modes or just stay with one mode most of the time. Also, does this affect flash photography or does the ettl overide.

Mar 11, 2012 12:00:22 #

ziggykor Loc: East Texas

When shooting for HDRI, I use Evaluative. For the vast majority of my other work I use Spot. My next choice is Partial, and I don't use Center-weighted. But that's just me.

The scene and how I wish to express the scene will generally dictate the mode used.

Mar 12, 2012 06:43:01 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

For most shooting, you will probably see less than a stop difference. I am from the historgram school of exposure. I check the historgram and adjust accordingly. This makes the type of metering moot.

If you are shooting where there is a big difference in lighting such as a backlit face with the sun behind, then the metering might matter.

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Mar 12, 2012 07:44:11 #

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

I use spot metering most of the time, just a habit. Evaluative works fine in most cases. I just like knowing that my subject will be properly exposed so I spot meter the subject and let the rest of the image be what ever it comes out.

Mar 12, 2012 10:12:21 #

bigcoz Loc: Philly

I use evaluative for landscapes and other wide open subjects and spot for isolated subjects that I want tack sharp. Never used partial or center.

Mar 12, 2012 10:20:33 #

designpro

Lets not lead some of the inexperienced users here in the wrong direction and yes that can work but for me, that's like having a four speed transmission and only using one gear and never seeing what would happen if I shiferd to another gear. JUST my opinion only sir...

Gary Truchelut wrote:

Mar 12, 2012 10:34:50 #

bigcoz Loc: Philly

designpro wrote:

Lets not lead some of the inexperienced users here... (show quote)

Well I guess I'm one of those inexperienced users you are talking about. I merely wanted to point out that that's what I do not that it's the only or for that matter the correct way. I have been properly chastised and will reform my ways on my very next outing.

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Mar 12, 2012 10:45:18 #

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Depends on what you are shooting. Look at Magic Lantern Guide for the camera the author gives a real good explanation of each metering mode.

Those with lots of experience have preferences based on their experience but it may not be applicable to what you are shooting. Kinda like Seuarte talking to Van Gogh.

Mar 12, 2012 10:45:36 #

designpro

Good deal, always experiment...you just never know what will happen or where it will lead and never sell yourself short...just play and enjoy your passion...

Most of the cameras have buttons from hell on them and one can get confused. Push them all to find out what happens when you do and who knows...

Thanks dude!

bigcoz wrote:

quote=designpro Lets not lead some of the inexper... (show quote)

Mar 12, 2012 10:48:09 #

abc1234 Loc: Elk Grove Village, Illinois

bigcoz wrote:

I use evaluative for landscapes and other wide open subjects and spot for isolated subjects that I want tack sharp. Never used partial or center.

Coz, you have to help me on this. Looks like a mixed metaphor. I thought "tack sharp" referred to how sharp a scene or lens is. That has nothing to do with exposure or how you set it.

Please set me straight on this.

Mar 12, 2012 10:48:39 #

senad55verizon.net Loc: Milford, NJ

Hey, it's a digital camera and won't cost you anything but a bit of time to do some testing.

Pick a scene, preferably a contrasty one at first, and shoot it in all available metering modes. Compare the results.

Repeat with other kinds of scenes.

Let us know what you found out, please.

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Mar 12, 2012 10:48:42 #

iresq Loc: Annapolis MD

bigcoz, I think designpro was referring to Gary's reply. I'm with you as I tend to use evaluative most of the time, spot for isolated subjects. I don't think I have ever used the other two. I also check the histogram after each and adjust as necessary.

Mar 12, 2012 10:57:29 #

designpro

Tack sharp can mean in your image for example, a tack sharp shot of the eyes in a portrait. You are the music maker here and what best suites your creative juices on how you see the outcome you're tring to accomplish by setting up the shot. To each his own...

abc1234 wrote:

bigcoz wrote:

I use evaluative for landscapes and other wide open subjects and spot for isolated subjects that I want tack sharp. Never used partial or center.

Mar 12, 2012 11:00:30 #

photogrl57 Loc: Tennessee

Here is a video on the subject .. sometimes visual aids help you understand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2qnIfJnuAU

Mar 12, 2012 11:02:05 #

bigcoz Loc: Philly

abc1234 wrote:

bigcoz wrote:

I use evaluative for landscapes and other wide open subjects and spot for isolated subjects that I want tack sharp. Never used partial or center.

abc1234: It's you that are straight and me that is crooked. You are absolutely correct about the mixed metaphor.

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