This could be the stupidest question ever but...

[budfox]

... it seems that cameras today have awesome metering. 3D this, matrix that, 50 zones....

Anyway, despite all of this metering and phenomenal ability to weigh up a scene, are we still not talking Aperture at X, shutter speed at Y?

Seems to me you can have all of the science in the world, but when you press that button, the camera doesn't have a billion possibilities, just the same old combos that it's had for many years.

I have a horrible suspicion I'm missing something here

 

[mrtoad]

the auto or programme settings are so variable that
speed and aperture are seamless settings

 

[dazzajl]

You are right that it could have been the stupidest question ever but sadly, it's far from it.

You're also right that for all the increase in metering tech, it comes down to the same deal it always has. What these new metering modes are trying to do is get a better handle on what's in front of the camera and make the right choice.

Basic metering is where the camera sees all the light coming though the lens and takes an average. Then there was centre weighted, where the middle of the frame was given more priority, as that's where your subject was most likely to be. Then multi mode super matrix mega evaluative monster metering, where the camera looks at the frame as many zones, compares what it sees to a built in database of millions of possible pictures you may be taking and works out the best exposure.

As far as I can see, it still gets fooled by all the same things it always did and in the world of preview screens and histograms, it doesn't matter much anyway.

 

[HoppyUK]

...I have a horrible suspicion I'm missing something here

You're missing nothing The only 'stupid' thing is the misunderstanding that some people seem to have over exposure metering, ie that if you use 'professional' methods like manual spot or incident readings, then somehow your exposures will be better than if you just let the camera do it for you on full auto.

They will not be any difference. There is only ever one optimum exposure level, and it makes no difference how that level is measured or set - just whichever method suits you best, and is easiest and quickest at getting the right result.

I find matrix/evaluative methods are very accurate - basically what the camera is doing, is taking a couple of dozen spot meter readings, measuring the total dynamic range, interpreting it via interrogation of a database of tens of thousands of images, and delivering a soundly considered verdict. No wonder it's pretty good - and all done faster than you can think

 

[Dangermouse]

Stick to fully manual and set each shot up individual and do what I do.........forget terminology and go with whats right by you.....camera metering is seldom right as the light changes from second to second..............just take the shot and have done with it and forget math or it will become a chore just taking snaps for the family album.............X=Y= ? F***IT .........less talk more shots