Metering help...

[coldyn8w]

Ive been trying lately to get consistantly perfect exposures and I havent quite found my groove with metering yet.

Heres and example of problems Ive been facing,
If the half pressed shutter button locks exposure AND focus, what if I want these to be independent of eachother? (lets assume Im using AV mode)

When Im walking around (these problems dont exist really when I have time and shoot in manual) I generally have center point af mode on, then focus and recompose the shot before taking it. Now where does an independant spot meter reading fit into this?

Does exposure lock exist on the 350D? what cameras does it exist on?
Should I not be using centre point AF, rather changing the point around to fit my intended area of focus better?

I would like to know what your processes are, of course this really just applies to using non-manual modes and more often than not, my point of focus is what Im metering for but Ive been curious lately as Im trying to improve my accurate exposures.

thanks

 

[who?]

Ive been trying lately to get consistantly perfect exposures and I havent quite found my groove with metering yet.

example pics?

Heres and example of problems Ive been facing,
If the half pressed shutter button locks exposure AND focus, what if I want these to be independent of eachother? (lets assume Im using AV mode)

Thats down to the camera settings - look at the AEL button and the settings for the diff camera modes (usually different options for single focus/continuous focus and manual focus) or thats how it is on olympus kit.

When Im walking around (these problems dont exist really when I have time and shoot in manual) I generally have center point af mode on, then focus and recompose the shot before taking it. Now where does an independant spot meter reading fit into this?

I'm not the expert but things will depend on the exposure settings on the camera are you using spot metering, centre weighted or what?
I suspect the handheld meter is more use when in full manual mode.

Does exposure lock exist on the 350D? what cameras does it exist on?
Should I not be using centre point AF, rather changing the point around to fit my intended area of focus better?

Dunno about the 350. But focus and exposure are totally different things - they just happen to share the ability to auto them on the centre of the view.

I would like to know what your processes are, of course this really just applies to using non-manual modes and more often than not, my point of focus is what Im metering for but Ive been curious lately as Im trying to improve my accurate exposures.

thanks

I tend to use auto focusing with manual override (S+MF) and tend to keep to the central point but change the exposure mode depending on what I'm doing. As I said above though your camera will probably let you set up different modes.


Show us pics which demonstrate your perceived problem.

 

[The Matt]

Heres and example of problems Ive been facing,
If the half pressed shutter button locks exposure AND focus, what if I want these to be independent of eachother? (lets assume Im using AV mode)

Meter your shot for the exposure you want, see what reading it gives. Switch to manual and set the exposure to the figure you just got, then you can use the auto focus without changing this. Or you could swap this round and use manual focus, auto exposure.

 

[Craikeybaby]

I don't know if the 350 has it but the * thumb button on the 20D locks exposure (or focus if you set it up like that)...

 

[coldyn8w]

example pics?


Thats down to the camera settings - look at the AEL button and the settings for the diff camera modes (usually different options for single focus/continuous focus and manual focus) or thats how it is on olympus kit.


I'm not the expert but things will depend on the exposure settings on the camera are you using spot metering, centre weighted or what?
I suspect the handheld meter is more use when in full manual mode.


Dunno about the 350. But focus and exposure are totally different things - they just happen to share the ability to auto them on the centre of the view.


I tend to use auto focusing with manual override (S+MF) and tend to keep to the central point but change the exposure mode depending on what I'm doing. As I said above though your camera will probably let you set up different modes.


Show us pics which demonstrate your perceived problem.

Thanks so much, Im Sorry I dont think I explained well enough

As an example.... Lets say Im taking a portrait shot, the subject is close to me but I want them way out of focus (focussing on the background).

I want my exposure to be based off the person, but I want the focus to be on the background.

Im in AF mode so no manual focus allowed, and Im in spot metering mode so at some point I have to lock the exposure on the subject in the foreground.

but pressing my shutter halfway down on the subject to spot meter will also focus the shot on them. get me?

maybe its a canon specific question, as I might talking about settings which may not be existent in other brands.

 

[coldyn8w]

I don't know if the 350 has it but the * thumb button on the 20D locks exposure (or focus if you set it up like that)...

Ok just saw these two posts.
The * button!!! why havent I seen this, its exactly what Im talking about. Locking the exposure in Av mode....
thanks guys

 

[pxl8]

Not sure if the 350D supports it but check for a custom fuction to shift AF to the * button, then you do have seperate focus and metering.