5D MK II metering mode.

<p>I'm just wondering what metering mode most of you prefer. Right now I'm using Partial Metering. For just general people candids is that better than Center Weighted? OR should I use a hand held meter and take incident readings?</p>

<p>I use Evaluative about 98% of the time; otherwise, I use Spot. I do sometimes use Center Weighted and Partial (and, of course, Spot) with my older film bodies that lack Evaluative.</p>

<p>Mostly evaluative associated to a single focus point. With Focus Recompose, focus and metering are then locked before recomposing. I shift it between +/- 1EV with the rear wheel depending on the subject (light or dark). Very effective.<br>

Otherwise, like Mark spot...</p>

<p>The mode you use really doesn't matter if you are consistently getting exposures you are happy with. If you are shooting RAW, the accuracy is perhaps a little less important.<br>

You may find the comments in this thread from earlier this year:</p>

<p><a href="http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00SBqz">http://www.photo.net/canon-eos-digital-camera-forum/00SBqz</a></p>

<p>Walter,</p>

 

<p>“It depends.”</p>

 

<p>Mostly I shoot in manual mode. I start with a WAG and set my exposure accordingly. I chimp the

results, adjust the exposure, re-shoot, lather, rinse, and repeat.</p>

 

<p>When I use the meter, it’s most likely to be in spot mode. I might meter off a gray card

(most likely), or highlights and shadows to get an idea of which I might have to sacrifice and by how

much. I might very extremely rarely use the evaluative mode (whichever one is most

“intelligent,” though I can never remember what exactly it’s called) in Program

mode if I’m feeling lazy and the light’s changing rapidly and I don’t care much

about the shots.</p>

 

<p>To me, the great thing about digital is that you get instant feedback on your exposure and get

the opportunity to fix it right there and then if it’s not right. If a meter helps you do that, great

— but it’s the histogram (and, to a lesser extent, the preview image) that’s the

<em>real</em> meter, the one worth paying attention to.</p>

 

<p>Cheers,</p>

 

<p>b&</p>

<p>Evaluative mode. With the extra latitude provided by Raw in post-processing, it caters for almost any situation I have to shoot (landscape, travel, people).</p>