40D and Metering

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Albedo

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Hey, I am trying to get to grips with the various metering modes on my 40D. I think I have understood it to some extent (although if someone could write a 40D-specific summary that'd be amazing - especially with examples of different types of shot/situation and the appropriate metering mode).

Here's my main question though: when spot metering, does the camera meter off the centre spot or does it meter off the selected AF spot? Also, if you let the camera pick the AF, it often seems to pick a couple - would spot metering happen off both of those AF points in that case?

Thanks!
 
The spot meter works in the center of the frame. If you check the manual it'll show you the area involved.
 
spot metering is just from the centre point of the viewfinder. it isnt connected to autofocus points i dont think.
 
Yeah, I've left the manual at uni or I'd check it.

So there is no way to meter off a non-central point of the scene then? Strikes me as odd!

Thanks for the replies anyway. :)

EDIT: I suppose actually metering then recomposing would work! :bonk:
 
If you're using spot then aim, take a reading, hit AE lock, recompose, shoot.
 
pxl8 said:
If you're using spot then aim, take a reading, hit AE lock, recompose, shoot.
Click to expand...

And if you are using manual mode.. you just meter off a part of the view that you choose and recompose. No need for exposure lock ... as the manual settings stay till you move them.
 
Can anyone explain the best times to use specific metering modes please?

It's all driving me a little :cuckoo:

:thumbs:
 
There is no hard rule you can apply to metering apart from experience. The Canon evaluative mode or matrix mode uses data from all the metering points and using its internal algorithm, too determine the exposure.

Center weighted is exactly what it says. The exposure is biased heavily to the part of the subject in the central part of the viewfinder. Usefull when you have a lot of highlights surrounding the subject.

Spot is again what it says on the tin. Use when you need to get an exact exposure on a particular part of the subject.

At the end of the day the merer is not foolproof. You have to decide yourself if the exposure is correct. Use the histogram to determine if the camera has got it right. If not use the exposure adjustment to correct it.The preview image on the back of the camera is not really a good indication as too the exposure.
 
You should probably always have a look at the histogram after you take the shot to check the exposure anyway. It's not 100% accurate (as far as I know it's based on the jpeg the RAW file would produce using the current settings) but it will show you roughly how much highlight room you have left etc.
 
Albedo said:
Yeah, I've left the manual at uni or I'd check it.

So there is no way to meter off a non-central point of the scene then? Strikes me as odd!

Thanks for the replies anyway. :)

EDIT: I suppose actually metering then recomposing would work! :bonk:
Click to expand...


If you use evaluative metering with the focus points set to auto, the exposure lock will be at the focus point that achieved focus. If you set a focus point manually, the exposure lock will be at that point. In all other metering modes other than evaluative the exposure wil lock at the centre point regardless of which focus point achieved focus.
 
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