What should one use

[pampers]

Good morning all.

Just a quick question. What metering system is the best allround one to use.

1 evalutive metering
2 partial metering
3 center weighted metering

I mostly take photos of birds. Also am I right in thinking that,they all will have an efect on the exposure.

 

[Joe T]

For birds partial metering is probably best - so that the exposure is set more for the bird than the background.

For most uses evaluative metering (if that means what I think it does - I'm a Nikon user myself and they use different terminology) will do the job.

 

[pampers]

Thanks alot .

Have been trying out the partial metering, but the light is rubbish.

 

[HoppyUK]

The most accurate is 'incident light' reading which measures the light falling on the subject. It's kinda difficult in your situation

All other tyres of metering are 'reflected light' which measures the light reflected back from the subject. This is much easier, but is of course affected by the tone of the subject - light subjects giving different readings to dark subjects, even though the exposure should probably be the same for both. In the braod scheme of things, evaluative metering works best for most subjects but photographers will argue about this for ever.

Basically, your question is 'what is the easiest/quickest way to get optimum exposure' and the answer to that is always, 'it depends'.

Fortunately digital throws you two life-lines - the first is the LCD screen image and if it looks right, it very often is. The second life-line is the histogram, and they're very easy to understand, which will tell you exactly if you've got it right or wrong. If in doubt, just shoot a quick test pic - it takes five seconds max to shoot and check. Maybe another five seconds to adjust the exposure compensation dial if you have to

Richard.

 

[IanC_UK]

The most accurate is 'incident light' reading which measures the light falling on the subject. It's kinda difficult in your situation

All other tyres of metering are 'reflected light' which measures the light reflected back from the subject. This is much easier, but is of course affected by the tone of the subject - light subjects giving different readings to dark subjects, even though the exposure should probably be the same for both. In the braod scheme of things, evaluative metering works best for most subjects but photographers will argue about this for ever.

Basically, your question is 'what is the easiest/quickest way to get optimum exposure' and the answer to that is always, 'it depends'.

Fortunately digital throws you two life-lines - the first is the LCD screen image and if it looks right, it very often is. The second life-line is the histogram, and they're very easy to understand, which will tell you exactly if you've got it right or wrong. If in doubt, just shoot a quick test pic - it takes five seconds max to shoot and check. Maybe another five seconds to adjust the exposure compensation dial if you have to

Richard.

Blimey, hello Mr Hoppy

 

[HoppyUK]

Blimey, hello Mr Hoppy

Hello mate Just trying to lose my newbee tag

Edit: Trust you to catch me on a birding question Ian. Bet you use spot metering, too