Metering with ZX-L

[runjmb]

In planning for my Yosmite trip I realized a possible downfall of my ZX-L-no

spot meter (that I know of). I will be shooting Velvia 100, Provia 400, and

Tri X 400 (print). I would like to be able to do silhouettes during sunrise

and sunset but I don't know how the meter will react. I know that I can zoom

in on my subject, take a reading for black (silhouette), lock the meter, then

zoom out, recompose and shoot at that metering. BUT, what if I am shooting a

subject or subjects that don't let me zoom in enough, like a bunch of trees or

Half-Dome from across the valley. What do I do then? Get a hand held meter?

 

Or is there a way to put the ZX-L into a spot mode?

 

Thanks for you advice in advance.

 

Joe

[unca mikey]

Custom Function #5 -- set the value to (1), and the ZX-L will switch to spot metering when you hit the AE lock button.

[runjmb]

So is it always in spot mode or only when I hold down the AE lock button or do I have have to just push the AE lock button for it to go into spot mode?

 

Sorry for such stupid questions. The manual is not very clear on this.

[runjmb]

Never mind. I just figure it out. Doh!

[michael_kuhne]

I also often do silhouettes. As Unca Mikey says, the ZX-L does indeed have a spot meter. I find it best to meter from a lighter mid-tone area, not on your subject, such as a mid-tone area of the sky. You may have to temporarily switch to manual focus. Hold that exposure setting for your shot of the subject. To hold the setting for longer periods of shooting, switch to manual and use the same settings.