Selecting the Metering Method

[ovidius]

Hi all

I have a question for all of you with regard to the above subject. When, which and why?
Basically I am trying to find out when should I use the multi-segment metering, the center-weighted metering or the spot metering. I know the meaning of each one but I could not find any examples regarding the use of each one. Anyone kind enough to enlighten me
Many thanks

Ovidiu

[Murtasma]

Here is a pretty decent site.

http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tut...a-metering.htm

The way I remember it is

1. Matrix - Use this for most of your shots that have even lighting
2. Center Weighted Average - I'm still on the wall on this one I don't notice a big diffrence between this one and spot
3. Spot - Use this when your subject is backlit by something really bright. What this does is gives a higher weight to a small area in the center of the frame and gives less weight to the area surrounding it which would be the back light.

[Nicole]

Plus an old thread about metering modes

Personally I found this tutorial on Understanding Metering to be really helpful because of the pictures showing examples of each mode

[ovidius]

Hi all

Could anyone give some examples of when each metering mode should be used?
I have a Pentax K10D with three options: multi-pattern, center-weighted and spot metering. I know the basics behind each one but I am trying to figure out on what conditions should I use them.

many thanks

Ovidiu

[Seltzer]

merging your threads as they seem to be about the same thing.. the links listed above are probably going to help quite a bit..
From what I can tell basically Evaluative Metering is for most shots that you want the full image, landscape, taking a portrait with a background, etc.. where you want everything to have the same exposure.
Center Weighted Metering seems to be more useful for portraits where you care about getting the person as the focus and aren't as worried about the exposure of the rest of the image, or rather, want it to be slightly off so the center gets all the attention, good for when you want the center of the image to stand out.
Spot Metering seems to be similar to Center Weighted but does a smaller portion of the image and this can be moved based on the focal point.

[ovidius]

Sorry for the double thread. I posted one last night and after clicking "submit" the thread just disappeared. Something wrong with my computer I'll say.
Many thanks to all for your replays. Very valuable. Now it's all clear.
O