exif data?

[EdBray]

I was just looking at the exif data for my Chain shot in the Proverbs thread and I noticed that it states I used pattern metering, I found this a little difficult to undersatnd as I pretty much always shoot in manual mode with spot metering and usually take my exposure and white balance from a grey card. I was sure I had done this as normal today and hadn't deliberately changed any settings. I have just checked my 5D2 and it is still on manual and spot metering from the shoot this morning.

So how does the exif get it's data and is pattern metering the same as spot under exif?

 

[Canon Bob]

Ed,

I can't be specific about this instance but a little EXIF background (which you may know already)

The EXIF data is stored in hexadecimal format and the EXIF reader you use will convert the appropriate field to usable text format.
Different EXIF readers will assign different text to a particular field and may further group various "results" into one simplified description.

Checking a file with DPP will result in "Evaluative" being displayed whilst Opanda may use the term "Pattern" for the same HEX code. The problem may be that "Pattern" in Opanda catches more specific codes than "Evaluative" does in DPP.

Bob

 

[Gofer]

As true as that may be Bob, 'pattern' and 'evaluative' are one and the same thing so both exif readers are correct. The problem the OP is having is that the exif is showing pattern when he actually used spot metering. I can't come up with a reason unfortunately.

 

[who?]

Possibly a default value? After all if you were in manual then the exposure setting is irrelevant - in the exif anyway - the only input would be the in camera indicator.

Does the camera actually ignore the metering settings when you have manual set? I guess you would need to set up a test shot in controlled conditions and see if the in camera indicator gives different indications?

 

[Gofer]

Possibly a default value? After all if you were in manual then the exposure setting is irrelevant - in the exif anyway - the only input would be the in camera indicator.....................

That sounds like a very valid explanation to me.

 

[Canon Bob]

As true as that may be Bob, 'pattern' and 'evaluative' are one and the same thing so both exif readers are correct. The problem the OP is having is that the exif is showing pattern when he actually used spot metering. I can't come up with a reason unfortunately.

I realise that they're the same and simply have a different description in the readers field decode.
Average, spot and pattern (evaluative) all have the LSB of the hex word set whilst centre weighted and average do not. A reader that gives the HEX byte would eliminate the readers decoding.
Spot metering (as Ed belives he used) should show a HEX value of 3

Possibly a default value? After all if you were in manual then the exposure setting is irrelevant - in the exif anyway - the only input would be the in camera indicator.

0 is the default value

Bob