Linda Ewing Loc: Lincolnshire,UK

Im sorry to ask such a dumb question, and I should know the answer myself - here goes, I find the subject of metering very very confusing. Can anyone explain to me exactly how metering is carried out.

What I normally do, so don't know if it is correct, I set my camera up on programme (I have a Nikon D300) take a quick shot at anything in or near the scene, remember the settings and apply those settings in manual mode or aperture prioity or SP. I would be sooo grateful for an explanation in simple to understand terms. I am always reading about set your meter to this or that - confused and confusing

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-metering.htm

IT IS simplicity itself actually with experience

Personally MY advice would be to get a Weston Euromaster from EBAY ensure you ask IS IT IN WORKING ORDER, then you will have all you will ever need for 100% accurate exposure.

make sure it comes WITH an invercone (google)

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

are you referring metering modes on your camera?

Linda Ewing Loc: Lincolnshire,UK

I know I am making a simple question sound very difficult, I am OK with the metering modes on the camera ie spot, centre weighted etc, what I find difficult is when people say take a 'reading' from this or that and I don't quite know what it means or how exact;ly to carry out this procedure.

NiagaraJim Loc: Niagara Falls, ON

On most DSLRs you push the shutter halfway to see what Aperture and Shutter it wants. If you go to one of your priority modes, you can control one and the camera will do its best to give the correct exposure by selecting the other variables.
Your metering changes if move from point you first selected.

JoeB Loc: Mohawk Valley, NY

Take a look at this;

http://photographylife.com/understanding-metering-modes

shagbat Loc: London

Joe's advice is excellent Linda.
Forget 'P', RIP THE PAGES OUT OF YOUR MANUAL,
the D300 is a magnificent camera and shouldn't even have the option!

Best regards, s

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Great link, I sort of knew this stuff but it really clarifies it!

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

The D300 has a magnificent state of the art meter, please just read and absorb all you can and learn to use it.
A Weston Master meter uses sixty year old technology. Your D300 leaves it in it's dust..

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

The D300 has a magnificent state of the art meter, please just read and absorb all you can and learn to use it.
A Weston Master meter uses sixty year old technology and is useless when light levels fall. Your D300 leaves it in it's dust..

big d Loc: Rossendale Lancashire

Hi Linda, Have you googled, understanding the zone system(Ansel Adams, fred Archer) which gave a number to bright and dark areas of a scene. Altho this tecnique was not developed for digital photography it certainly can be applied. Metering systems in modern digital cameras are quite developed but also quite dumb as they still want to render everything as 18% grey this is where you need to take full control of your camera. Hopes this helps?

Jackaroo Loc: Canberra Australia

Hi Linda

Have a look at Bryan Peterson's understanding exposure, it will help your come to terms with not just setting but using exposure creatively.

shagbat Loc: London

Also Linda, consider having a mooch around your local charity shops, there are wonderful books by people such as John Hedgecoe, that although pertinent to film photography, explain this subject wonderfully.
You should pay about 2 quid.
Happy hunting!
s

suehutchins

Linda, one of the obstacles in photography that is often ignored is language. There are a lot of strange terms that get thrown around among more advanced folks that are very intimidating for the beginner. I often use metaphors from the kitchen in my workshops to assist with this. Think about 'taking a reading' from your Christmas turkey to see if it is done. Where do you stick the thermometer? (a) inside the drumstick? (b) in the breast meat? (c) in the dressing in the cavity? All of these locations will give you a different 'reading/answer'. A good cook will know which is the most accurate for the desired degree of done-ness.

So now back to photography. If you are using matrix metering, you are using 'all of the above' spots and the camera will average it out for you. If you are using spot metering, YOU have to decide the spot and decide if you like the answer. If you do, go ahead. If you don't, play with Exposure Compensation till you get it right to your eye.

Personally, I simply keep my eye on my 'live' histogram and keep it close to the right edge. Very simple.

There have been a lot of good references suggested. I love Bryan Peterson's books. He has a good way of explaining things. Also look around on YouTube. Adorama 1 on 1 series on Metering is excellent.

georgevedwards Loc: Essex, Maryland.

Don't leave us hanging, go and say where is best to stick the thermometer in the turkey? A lot of videos say the thigh joint where it connects to the main part, but when you buy a turkey with a pop up thermometer installed, it is always in the breast.