How does the camera meter a scene when manual focusing.

[ziggy©]

I am at work and dont have my camera with me to do any tests and im dying to know the answer to these two questions

- When you use manual focus how does the camera meter the scene. My understanding is that on Auto focus the camera meters where the focus point is set. If focusing manually there is no focus point so how does the camera meter?

- Lets say there a two subjects on a table, a coke can and and some keys. The coke can is about one meter away from the keys. When using manual focus, how do you take the picture if you want the keys to be out of focus but the coke can to be in focus. In auto focus i would use a small'ish aperture just point the focus point at the coke can but how would you do this in manual focus?

Edit
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I forgot to mention my camera - Canon 400D/XTI

 

[Ozei]

Metering question - http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-use-digital-slr-camera-metering-modes-a217314

Focussing question - you'd focus on the can and use a large(ish) aperture.

 

[Ozei]

Metering (again) - http://www.digital-photography-school.com/introduction-to-metering-modes

 

[specialman]

Just had a look at my D2x to refresh my memory and TBH, there's no difference; the camera remains on matrix/evaluative (or whatever you use - spot? centre-weighted?) and you just turn the focussing mode either on the lens (or in my case, also on the body). Just tried on a few different subject and not one bit of difference.

Many modern DSLRs have some form of focus indicator for MF; basically, there will be an LED (or likewise) in the viewfinder that lights up to alert you when it's in focus. Don't ask me how it works