Canon: Spot Metering

[uridiscence]

Ok, I've recently started playing around with spot metering in order to try something outside of evaluative metering. Here's one question that my partner keeps bringing up: with a Nikon, they can meter off any focal point, but with a Canon you can only meter off the center point...correct? But does that really matter since you can meter from the center point and then recompose the shot?

Here's my second question and its about the Canon Mark II. When I use the spot metering and I take my meter reading and then lock the exposure (and I'm in Manual Mode), the exposure still changes as I'm recomposing the shot...its not locking.

Is there a setting that I need to change in the menu so it stops changing the exposure when I'm in manual mode and attempting to lock the exposure? I searched my manual and I'm not finding my answer (but maybe I looked right over it).

[Vagebond]

Originally Posted by uridiscence

... with a Canon you can only meter off the center point...correct? But does that really matter since you can meter from the center point and then recompose the shot?

As far as I know that's correct for the Mark II too. Recompose and shoot is correct.

Here's my second question and its about the Canon Mark II. When I use the spot metering and I take my meter reading and then lock the exposure (and I'm in Manual Mode), the exposure still changes as I'm recomposing the shot...its not locking.

"Locking" an exposure works in P, Av and Tv but not in Manual.

In manual mode you have to change aperture and shutter speed yourself. Metering does nothing but meter, it does not change the exposure settings.
The meter shows you if your photo would be over- or underexposed with the current F-stop and shutter speed. You have to change the dials yourself, metering off the one spot until the meter reads 0 or any exposure compensation you want. Then recompose and shoot.
During recompose and shoot you may see the meter show a different value but that's because it's real time metering the new composition, again, not changing anything.

Is there a setting that I need to change in the menu so it stops changing the exposure when I'm in manual mode and attempting to lock the exposure? I searched my manual and I'm not finding my answer (but maybe I looked right over it).

I hope that's already been answered?

Just a note: I have a 450D/Rebel-something-or-other, and when I switch to Manual the camera automatically sets the ISO to 400, usually too much for me. So I usually set ISO too when I go manual. You might look that up in your manual.

I hope this helps a bit. Enjoy photography