T3i Metering Timer - no effect?

[dasmith232]

I now have a new T3i. There's one feature that I cannot figure out and hoping that someone has an idea.

It's the "metering timer" setting on the 4th "still recording" or "shooting" menu. The choices are 4 sec, 16 sec, 30 sec, 1 min, 10 min or 30 mins. The manual says that the default value is 16 secs. The setting on my camera is (also) at 16 secs. The behavior however is 4 secs. No matter what I change it to, it still behaves at 4 secs.

Here's what I'm doing.

I'm in any of the "creative modes", which is really the only set of modes that I use anyway. But let's go with good 'ol, don't have to think about it, "party" mode (aka P). I compose a shot and press the shutter half way. The settings stay visible on the back panel for 4 seconds, then blank out. Also, I can press AE lock, change the composition and the settings remain for (you guessed it) 4 seconds. I've set the timeout value to other settings, but keep getting the same "4 seconds" behavior.

I get the same behavior in Tv, Av and M modes. Maybe it's intended for something totally different, and I just haven't noticed.

Has anyone else set this value and seen what it affects?

Thanks,

Dave.

[shipsflyover]

In the book I got by David Busch, he says "Metering timer. This option allows you to specify how long the T3i's metering system will remain active before switching off. Tape the shutter release to start the timer again after it switches off. This choice is not available when using a Basic Zone mode. "

[dasmith232]

Yeah, the Canon manual is just as "helpful". I'm just not seeing the behavior that the manual describes... Thanks for checking an independent source.

[dasmith232]

Okay, I just figured it out!

The metering display time in "normal" mode is *always* 4 seconds. In "live" mode (and the metering is displayed in the lower left corner), it follows the setting in the menu. That detail isn't mentioned in the Canon manual. (To "shipsflyover": thanks again for checking, but I'm curious: does your book hint at a distinction for "live" mode vs. normal mode?)

[shipsflyover]

Yes! Sorry. What I quoted is in the live view section of the book. Sorry...

[dasmith232]

Originally Posted by shipsflyover

Yes! Sorry. What I quoted is in the live view section of the book. Sorry...

No problem! That all makes sense now. In the Canon manual on page 129, there's a footnote that says "these options are live view only". The description of Metering Timer is on the next page, but still in the section of the manual. Not the clearest documentation for me I guess.

[shipsflyover]

This guy mentions the manual not being super helpful. I got the book because while I am not new to Canon SLRs, I am new to any kind of digital SLR. I'm really glad I got it, as he has really wonderful pictures of all the screens and modes and dials and stuff. The manual is just awful in my opinion.