Which metering mode do you use...

[M.M.]

I was surprised to read in some threads about people with very sophisticated, high-end camera bodies using spot-metering for their flying shots.  It leads me to the above question.

After taking the poll, please explain why you feel your choice is best.

-M.M.

[k5083]

I use multiple spot metering to inform my manual meter setting.  I'll take readings off the sky, tarmac, crowd, etc., judge what levels they should all be at, then set my EV where I want it based on the type of film/sensor.  Basically it is a watered down zone system.  Nothing touches the general zone system paradigm for accurate exposure.  Ansel pretty much got it right!

Automated matrix metering is an attempt to imitate Ansel but it has drawbacks, including:  (1) it can only meter off what is in the frame, whereas when I pre-meter I can gather additional information from anything in the environment, and (2) the camera doesn't know what it is looking at and can be fooled by outlier values.  I'm not as smart as Ansel but I'm still a lot smarter than my camera.  At least until next year's models come out. 

August

[GeoffS]

Matrix, often with some exposure compensation dialed in based on the last couple of shots.

My 20D doesn't have a spot meter; if it did, I would probably use it much like August.

Whenever the light is changing I'll try and check the histogram on some representative recent shots to make sure things are still coming out like I expect.

Interesting serendipity; this thread started just yesterday: http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00L0Du

Cheers,

Geoff S.

[Andyman]

Matrix if it's clear, center weighted if it's overcast and cloudy (like dark clouds).

[nikon50bigma]

Matrix if it's clear, center weighted if it's overcast and cloudy (like dark clouds).

Yep, I do the same.

[gbloore]

MATRIX almost all the time.   

[JClark]

For my main camera (Mark IIn) in use matrix but for the 10D and 20D, center weighted or spot to avoid being overwhelmed with the backlighting.

[Dave O'Brien]

Matrix if it's clear, center weighted if it's overcast and cloudy (like dark clouds).

same here,

[k5083]

Us dial-turners seem to be falling behind in the poll! 

August

[Comet]

Centerweighted almost exclusively.

[mhoupt]

I have a couple of Canon Camera's (20D and 50D).  Reading the docs (yeah, I know, who does that  ) seems to indicate that for what we do the "Partial Metering" would be best to use. I had been using Spot Metering.

What do you more professional folks use?

Spot
Partial
Evaluative
Center Weighted

are my options

Mark

[GeoffS]

I know many people who successfully use each of the methods you mention, so I'm not sure there is a singular "best" one.

With that said, I almost exclusively use evaluative, with exposure compensation as needed.

Cheers,

Geoff S.

[The Edge]

I also use Evaluative with Exp Comp but on days with a completely clear sky will also sometimes change to manual metering since the light is more balanced.  Still have some things to take acount of then of course.

Rob