HELP! So confused how my camera meters...

[sheila3]

So I have read and reread my camera's manual. I have read threads here and other places. Perhaps because I am a single mother of 3 (one of which just turned 2) and have a severe case of mommy brain I am missing something. Anyways I understand all the different types of metering that SLR's use. What I don't get is how to use the metering modes in my camera when I am shooting manual. I use a Canon EOS Rebel Xs. Anyone out there use this camera and can help? I think when you are in shutter or priority mode you can use any mode and lock it in. But what do you do in manual mode? Not getting how it meters and how you focus at same time. Hopefully this is clear enuf for someone to help

Thanx so much!

[inkista]

The only difference between Manual and the auto modes is that the Auto modes adjust your settings so that the meter "needle" sits at 0, depending on the metering algorithm you chose (average, evaluative, spot, center-weighted). So that scale at the bottom of the viewfinder feels more like an exposure compensation scale instead of your meter.

But in M mode, the camera leaves the setting alone and just shows you the reading on the meter. You have to shift the settings about to get the exposure where you want it. As you adjust the settings, the meter "needle" will then show you where you are, metering wise. So that scale at the bottom of your viewfinder actually acts more like a light meter. If you want the same exposure the camera's auto-exposure system would have gotten you, just get that needle to 0.

Most of us, however, use Manual, because we don't like what the auto-exposure system would do, and we don't want that needle to be at 0. Going towards the right side of the scale will make the exposure lighter, going to the left will make it darker. The scale is marked off in EVs, which are stops. 1EV = doubling/halving the light.

So, +1EV is the same as doubling our iso (e.g., iso 200-> iso 400); halving your shutter speed (e.g., 1/200s -> 1/100s), or opening up a full stop on the f-number scale (e.g., f/4 -> f/2.8).

[Rentham]

To sum up what inkista said: Your metering mode doesn't matter when you're in manual. I'm a visual learner, so here are some examples. All where taken in sequence with ISO kept constant. AF point is on his eye in each shot.

Manual: f/2.8 @ 1/100th Evaluative Metering


Manual: f/2.8 @ 1/100th Partial Metering


Manual: f/2.8 @ 1/100th Spot Metering


Manual: f/2.8 @ 1/100th Center Weighted Metering

[Rentham]

As a follow up, here is the same sequence of metering modes shot in Aperture Priority Mode. ISO and AF point are the same as the previous images.

Av Mode: f/2.8 @ 1/125th Evaluative Metering


Av Mode: f/2.8 @ 1/40th Partial Metering


Av Mode: f/2.8 @ 1/25th Spot Metering


Av Mode: f/2.8 @ 1/100th Center Weighted Metering

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Rentham

To sum up what inkista said: Your metering mode doesn't matter when you're in manual....

Actually, it still matters. Where the needle sits on the scale is still determined by the algorithm/mode you choose. It's just that it doesn't hit your settings unless you want it to. Had you, in Manual mode, put the needle on 0 for each of those shots, rather than letting the sittings sit where you wanted them, they'd have matched the auto shots.

On the Manual shots, your EXIF is probably showing you having exposure compensation amounts in the exposure.

[Rentham]

EXIF exposure bias is 0EV in all shots. But you're right, theoretically it matters. In the third shot of the manual sequence, my meter was telling me "Hey bro, you're two stops under". In practice, it's unlikely someone shooting in manual is chasing the needle to 0 for every shot.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by Rentham

EXIF exposure bias is 0EV in all shots.

Right. Forgot. In Manual, it will always be 0, because it's manual. It's only recorded in the auto modes.

But you're right, theoretically it matters. In the third shot of the manual sequence, my meter was telling me "Hey bro, you're two stops under". In practice, it's unlikely someone shooting in manual is chasing the needle to 0 for every shot.

Exactly. This is why we like Manual. We're smarter than a camera, we know when the meter is wrong.

[sheila3]

Thank You sooo much Inkista and Rentham! Thanx to you I have had an ah ha moment. Think it has finally clicked (pun intended ). Anyways thanx again!

Sheila