>>If I remember correctly, when manual focusing, evaluative metering assumes the center focal point was used....is that correct?<<
Yes.
>>Do your comments on evaluative metering hold true for 1-series bodies?<<
Yes.
>>Also, anything you can share on the relative merits and/or idiosyncracies of evaluative vs. orther modes such as center weighted? Particularly if using the center AF point (I guess I am a dinosaur, too)<<
The key point to remember about evaluative metering in comparison to any other available ambient metering pattern on an EOS SLR is that evaluative is designed to apply exposure compensation automatically based on its analysis of the metering segments surrounding the segment that overlays the active focusing point, or the center focusing point in the case of manual focusing. All of the other metering patterns, whether they are spot, partial or centerweighted average, have no automatic exposure compensation applied.
Evaluative is pretty good most of the time, especially when photographing people as I mentioned above. But if your main subject matter is landscapes or macro, you'll probably want to at least consider trying one of the other metering patterns. The more you shoot, the more likely it is that you'll start recognizing situations when it is best to apply exposure compensation based on the subject matter and/or the lighting conditions. In those situations, it can be very helpful to know exactly what you are metering (as in spot or partial patterns), and it can also be nice to know that you're not trying to outguess the evaluative metering algorithm when it comes to deciding how much exposure compensation, if any, to apply.
All I can say is the Evaluative metering function has been getting better and better with each new model. I've always tried to use Evaluative as my "home" mode, and my current body (40D) does such a great job metering just about everything that about all I do is adjust the exposure compensation a bit from time to time depending on subject material, but it's really gotten close to "set it and forget it".
The key point to remember about evaluative metering in comparison to any other available ambient metering pattern on an EOS SLR is that evaluative is designed to apply exposure compensation automatically based on its analysis of the metering segments surrounding the segment that overlays the active focusing point, or the center focusing point in the case of manual focusing. All of the other metering patterns, whether they are spot, partial or centerweighted average, have no automatic exposure compensation applied.
Chuck, thanks again for a great informative reply.
Excuse me for possibly being a little confused, but I do not understand your use of "automatic exposure compensation" in this context.
If we take the simple case of using the center AF point, how is evaluative different from spot or partial (pick whichever would have a comperable area to the evaluative "analysis"). Would not both try to calculate a proper exposure for the scene? Is the automatic EC some "intelligent" (a.k.a magic ) analysis of other parts of the scene which would not be done by the simple area methods? Anything you can share to better inform/guide us would be very welcome.
BTW...like Noel, I use evaluative predominately when shooting changing scenes...but am using manual more and more, particularly for static scenes and lighted scenes (night football, theatre) where the uniforms/costumes change but the lighting doesn't...and where I may want to force underexposure to get higher shutter.
Thanks again for all you do....JOHN
__________________ John Schwaller
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
I'm not sure if I can express myself on this point any more clearly than I have already, i.e.: Evaluative metering has the ability to apply exposure compensation automatically based on its analysis of all metering segments. Other metering patterns have no such ability. That's the fundamental difference between them. Secondary differences would include things like coverage area.
In some cases, the evaluative meter reading may turn out to be identical to the reading that could be obtained with another metering pattern, but in other cases the readings would differ. Situations that would cause evaluative metering to apply exposure compensation would include backlighting, spotlighting, and other conditions where the reflectance from the main subject differs significantly from the background.
Choice of metering patterns ultimately boils down to factors like experience and personal preference. Beginners may find it easier to rely on evaluative metering until they've done enough testing with the other patterns to feel comfortable with them. Advanced amateurs and pros may find that patterns like spot, partial or centerweighted are more predictable than evaluative, especially in shooting conditions where the lighting is stable and there's plenty of time to take meter readings and decide if there's any need for exposure compensation.
That doesn't mean that pros shouldn't use evaluative metering; lots of them do, especially in situations where subject matter, backgrounds, and light levels vary constantly. Photographers like Arthur Morris come to mind; Artie is a master at the use of evaluative metering for bird photography. But even he would be the first one to tell you that the fundamental rule to making good exposures consistently is learning the behavior of your camera's metering system and using the right tool for the job, whatever it turns out to be.
For some example of Arthur's work, check out his Birds As Art bulletins:
I think what confuses some here is the seeming disparity between:
Quote:
Evaluative metering has the ability to apply exposure compensation automatically based on its analysis of all metering segments.
and:
Quote:
. . .evaluative is designed to apply exposure compensation automatically based on its analysis of the metering segments surrounding the segment that overlays the active focusing point, or the center focusing point in the case of manual focusing.
Can you help us a little more with that?
In years past, the way I described it (not really knowing of course how it works) is:
"Evaluative metering makes an exposure determination based on an intelligent analysis of all metering segments, placing emphasis on the segments surrounding the active AF points ("points" because until just recently I thought that more than one AF point was potentially "active" in that sense, which I know know was a misconception).
In fact, I would often say, "placing emphasis (whatever that is) on the segments . . ."
Thanks.
Best regards,
Doug
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
There is no disparity between the two statements. The only difference is that the second one is a bit more specific.
Well, OK.
Would it be accurate to say that:
Evaluative metering only takes into account (in any way) the metering segments surrounding the active AF point (or center AF point in manual metering)?
Or is it that:
All metering segments are observed as part of the overall metering process, but that "exposure compensation" only operates via the metering segments surrounding the active AF point (or center AF point)?
Thanks for staying with me on this.
Best regards,
Doug
White Balance so easy, even our 5 year old can do it.- Melissa Strickland
) analysis of other parts of the scene which would not be done by the simple area methods? Anything you can share to better inform/guide us would be very welcome.
Linear Mode
