Metering and Focusing

[KenRC51]

Hi, I am new to DSLR. Only been shooting for about 1 year and a half. I usually shoot in auto focus area and in the matrix metering (where there is a black dot in the middle and a black block on each corner.)

I do know how to use the single point auto focus but my question is what is the difference from Dynamic area and 3D tracking? Can you explain which auto focus to use when shooting a specific scene? (Like for indoors, moving subject, multiple subject, etc...?)

My other question is which are each 3 metering function used for? Thanks

[RexK_Cozumel]

Spot metering is used when you want to expose for a specific part of your scene. IE if something is strongly back-lit but you don't mind losing the background then you spot meter for the subject and your background gets blown out. If you use full matrix metering in a scene where there is a strong back-lit subject the camera will most likely set the exposure for the background and you will have a very dark subject. Ok if you want a silhouette. Center weighted is a balance between spot and full.

As for the focusing Dynamic will choose a couple points close to each other for the focus. Single point is just that, a single point. And 3D is useful for subjects that are moving.

Hope that all makes sense.

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

Spot metering is used when you want to expose for a specific part of your scene. IE if something is strongly back-lit but you don't mind losing the background then you spot meter for the subject and your background gets blown out. If you use full matrix metering in a scene where there is a strong back-lit subject the camera will most likely set the exposure for the background and you will have a very dark subject. Ok if you want a silhouette. Center weighted is a balance between spot and full.

As for the focusing Dynamic will choose a couple points close to each other for the focus. Single point is just that, a single point. And 3D is useful for subjects that are moving.

Hope that all makes sense.

IE? what is that?

I understand the Dynamic and single point. 3D is used for moving subject right? Can I just put my autofocus to AFS-C and leave on Dynamic or Single point? Or is it different? Please explain?

Thanks Rex

[Almond.Butterscotch]

ie = "in example"

[KenRC51]

Originally Posted by Almond.Butterscotch

ie = "in example"

hahaha, thanks Almond

[inkista]

Just because I really am that pendantic and I edit for my paycheck , i.e., stands for id est: Latin for "that is". It's a fancy shorthand for "in other words." The fancy Latin abbreviation for "for example" is e.g., (exempli gratia). They should not only have the periods, but also be italicized as they're in a foreign language, but most folks don't bother.

Sorry. I not only proof the way other people breathe, I get irritated by typesetting errors, too. Professional hazards of being a technical writer/editor. And now you know why I always edit my posts multiple times. I can only see typos after I've saved a post.

[Almond.Butterscotch]

inkista for the late night win!

(I always thought e.g. was example given)

[Almond.Butterscotch]

woops- e.g.

[inkista]

No, no, no. It's only to people like me that it matters if it's italicized.

There's a name for people like me. And yeah, you spell it with a hyphen. [just kidding. I really think it's unhyphenated. Ohgod. I can't stop.]

[Almond.Butterscotch]

Originally Posted by inkista

And yeah, you spell it with a hyphen

Anal retentive isn't hyphenated. No worries.