Spot Metering
Apr 14, 2012 18:11:28 #
What are the occasions and or subjects when you pros will use "Spot Meterng" vs "Multi Zone"
Apr 14, 2012 18:34:03 #
Apr 14, 2012 18:55:04 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
webfoot wrote:
What are the occasions and or subjects when you pros will use "Spot Meterng" vs "Multi Zone"
used to use nothing but spot metering - now - don't make much difference - i let the LCD tell me if i am in the ballpark and work from there
Apr 14, 2012 19:42:46 #
Interesting that anyone uses spot much except to take a reading from a small area and then set the camera manually.
It would seem to me that using spot metering with any other mode could result in wildly variable exposures. If the spot is on a dark shirt the image could be way over exposed. Conversely, if the spot is on a white dress, you would have the opposite issue. NOW, if you take a reading on an area, then set the camera manually, that is a different deal and the way I would use it. The Matrix & Evaluative metering on today's camera is pretty amazing for most scenes that are anywhere near "normal."
Another use would be to meter a subject far away in light that is specific to the area that subject is in.
But if you use spot "most of the time" and it works for you....I am amazed. But I believe you.
It would seem to me that using spot metering with any other mode could result in wildly variable exposures. If the spot is on a dark shirt the image could be way over exposed. Conversely, if the spot is on a white dress, you would have the opposite issue. NOW, if you take a reading on an area, then set the camera manually, that is a different deal and the way I would use it. The Matrix & Evaluative metering on today's camera is pretty amazing for most scenes that are anywhere near "normal."
Another use would be to meter a subject far away in light that is specific to the area that subject is in.
But if you use spot "most of the time" and it works for you....I am amazed. But I believe you.
Apr 14, 2012 21:48:29 #
Do you use the meter in your camera? (...(...0...)...)
If you want a certain item to be important (black velvet or white silk) you spot meter and put the exposure on that item where you want it. You have to do this with HDR if want to do it right. I use Spot 99% of the time, only go to Matrix Meter in a fast paced changing light people scene.
I usually zoom in and spot meter, then leave my exposure set until conditions change.
If you want a certain item to be important (black velvet or white silk) you spot meter and put the exposure on that item where you want it. You have to do this with HDR if want to do it right. I use Spot 99% of the time, only go to Matrix Meter in a fast paced changing light people scene.
I usually zoom in and spot meter, then leave my exposure set until conditions change.
Apr 14, 2012 23:02:06 #
Not a "Pro" by any definition, but I use SPOT almost exclusively along with MANUAL. The center spot meter area corresponds with the center focus area and gives me what I want. If I am doing any less specific work (groups and parties) I will use one of the other metering options, but stay on the center focus, since using all the spots generally focuses on the wrong object. Just my way of working, but it works well for me.
Apr 14, 2012 23:20:51 #
Do you use the meter in your camera? (...(...0...)...)
If you want a certain item to be important (black velvet or white silk) you spot meter and put the exposure on that item where you want it. You have to do this with HDR if want to do it right. I use Spot 99% of the time, only go to Matrix Meter in a fast paced changing light people scene.
I usually zoom in and spot meter, then leave my exposure set until conditions change.
If you want a certain item to be important (black velvet or white silk) you spot meter and put the exposure on that item where you want it. You have to do this with HDR if want to do it right. I use Spot 99% of the time, only go to Matrix Meter in a fast paced changing light people scene.
I usually zoom in and spot meter, then leave my exposure set until conditions change.
Apr 15, 2012 07:59:36 #
I like spot metering during bright light because i get less blown hightlights, especially when shooting landscapes. Example if your shooting a swan or a white subject where the sunlight reflects the most spot will give you more detail to recover, expecially in raw. If its night or low light then you may not want to use spot.
Apr 15, 2012 08:44:12 #
CaptainC wrote:
Interesting that anyone uses spot much except to t... (show quote)
I'll go with the Capt. Matrix is the zone system without any work - Dave
Apr 15, 2012 10:08:01 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
In general photography, true spot metering -- 1 degree with a separate meter, not the half-arsed version you get in camera -- keys the exposure to the darkest area in which you want tone or texture (for negative films) OR the lightest area in which you want texture or detail (for slide films and digital). In cinematography it is also used to ensure that a given tone (typically, a skin tone) remains constant from shot to shot. The meter reading is lined up against a different index for each of these purposes.
For negative films, it can be invaluable, and for slide film or digital it's a harder-to-use substitute for incident light metering. In camera 'spot' metering is mostly a waste of time UNLESS it works for you. Almost any metering system can be made to work, if you know what you're doing and make the necessary adjustments, but some are much easier to use than others.
You may (or may not) find this link to my website, about metering theory, useful: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/meters%20and%20metering.html
Cheers,
R.
For negative films, it can be invaluable, and for slide film or digital it's a harder-to-use substitute for incident light metering. In camera 'spot' metering is mostly a waste of time UNLESS it works for you. Almost any metering system can be made to work, if you know what you're doing and make the necessary adjustments, but some are much easier to use than others.
You may (or may not) find this link to my website, about metering theory, useful: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/meters%20and%20metering.html
Cheers,
R.
Apr 15, 2012 10:32:36 #
I use spot metering most of the time and I'll tell you why--because I said so.....
Actually I am after a certain look. I focus on one person and shoot close to wide open. I want my subject exposed, but everyone else is just not important to me.
I will use matrix from time to time, if I really have to take a group shot and no one else is there.
Actually I am after a certain look. I focus on one person and shoot close to wide open. I want my subject exposed, but everyone else is just not important to me.
I will use matrix from time to time, if I really have to take a group shot and no one else is there.
Apr 15, 2012 10:44:56 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
hlmichel wrote:
. . . Actually I am after a certain look. I focus on one person and shoot close to wide open. I want my subject exposed, but everyone else is just not important to me. . .
Rather as in "In cinematography it is also used to ensure that a given tone (typically, a skin tone) remains constant from shot to shot."
Cheers,
R.
Apr 15, 2012 18:22:09 #
Apr 15, 2012 19:28:26 #
Hmmm.
On my Nikon D5100 metering for exposure and setting the focus method differ. Both have a spot mode.
The spot can be set to one of eleven points in the viewfinder. If you are using spot for both then they must use the same point.
I tend to use spot focusing most of the time but matrix exposure metering except for tough situations; e.g. snow or bright white birds which matrix metering will try to make gray.
On my Nikon D5100 metering for exposure and setting the focus method differ. Both have a spot mode.
The spot can be set to one of eleven points in the viewfinder. If you are using spot for both then they must use the same point.
I tend to use spot focusing most of the time but matrix exposure metering except for tough situations; e.g. snow or bright white birds which matrix metering will try to make gray.
Zaurak32 wrote:
Not a "Pro" by any definition, but I use SPOT almost exclusively along with MANUAL. The center spot meter area corresponds with the center focus area and gives me what I want. If I am doing any less specific work (groups and parties) I will use one of the other metering options, but stay on the center focus, since using all the spots generally focuses on the wrong object. Just my way of working, but it works well for me.
Apr 15, 2012 19:44:30 #
The professionals at a photography course I attended recently recommended using spot metering all time...along with Manual exposure setting. The reason is to keep the bright areas from blowing out.
If an area is real bright they recommended setting the spot there and setting the meter to +2 EV. If nothing super bright then find a pastel and set it to +1 EV.
I experimented with it some but wasn't convinced it is generally worth the trouble.
They also recommend checking your LCD and braketing when its possible and tough lighting.
If an area is real bright they recommended setting the spot there and setting the meter to +2 EV. If nothing super bright then find a pastel and set it to +1 EV.
I experimented with it some but wasn't convinced it is generally worth the trouble.
They also recommend checking your LCD and braketing when its possible and tough lighting.
CaptainC wrote:
Interesting that anyone uses spot much except to t... (show quote)
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