Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

sambo · 02-07-2011, 06:27 PM

What Metering Mode do you use (and if you want to comment - why)?

I do a lot of focus/recompose with spot focus so I usually use Centre-weighted with AE lock linked to AF lock, though with shadow recovery possible on the K5, I am thinking of unlinking AE & AF lock and possibly switching to Multi-segment Metering. Would love to get some feedback from the Pentaxforums braintrust.

sambo · 02-07-2011, 06:42 PM

Hmm, was trying to set this up as a poll - oh well, the joys of being a newbie.
Basically was wondering which of the following modes you usually shoot in

Multi-segmented Metering (with lenses that support it)
Centre-wieghted Metering
Spot Metering
All manual, all the time - the way God intended.
There is no perfect setting, I mix it up from shot to shot.
Bracketing, baby - storage is cheap and one of the shots is sure to nail it

Ole · 02-07-2011, 07:05 PM

Multi segment, and bracketing. Av exposure mode (I want to control the DOF).

ajoe · 02-07-2011, 07:15 PM

Quite honestly, it's whatever feels good at the moment.

I constantly change mode, metering, ISO.....

sambo · 02-08-2011, 09:46 AM

Thanks for your responses, I suppose there is no one mode to rule them all so I have another excuse to go out and experiment.

eddie1960 · 02-08-2011, 09:52 AM

with any AF lens I tend to Multi Meter
But since i shoot a lot of old lenses mostly i push the green button and get center weighted
I also shoot sunny 16 a lot on film, and frequently will shoot full manual without metering when it is a lighting situation i'm familiar with (sometimes chimping to adjust)

Oh and I use a hand held incident meter with my MF most of the time

Northern Soul · 02-08-2011, 09:58 AM

Multi segment with supported lenses for me. The K10 with centre weighted tended to underexpose about 1 or 1.5 stops, but I find the multi metering pretty good, although I also know when it's going to need a bit of adjustment.

I have an Adaptall 2 Tamrom 70-210 on loan from my dad's treasure chest of old camera stuff too - it's great for quasi- macro - and that I shoot fully manual as the camera isn't able to control the aperture.

Last edited by Northern Soul; 02-08-2011 at 09:59 AM. Reason: Added link to review of lens.

basditz · 02-08-2011, 11:51 AM

I almost always use multi-segment, and adjust with the exposure compensation when necessary (for example snowy scenes will always mess up the metering so push exposure 1-2 stops)

If my K-x would have a button to quickly change exposure mode I would probably use other modes more but going into the info menu is just too much work most of the time. (my old powershot had that button, I sure miss it)

icywarm · 02-08-2011, 12:08 PM

Not to sound rude, but I use the one I need for the shot I want to take....

black bird in bright sun... spot meter

face in light, but dark elseway... centre weighted

landscape, indoor sports, multi segment...

but if I can... I use a off camera meter... and good amount of the time (with film almost all the time) I just estimate it... I have a card and set and shoot...

Arpe · 02-08-2011, 08:00 PM

Generally centre. Very occasionally multi-segment.

**Ash** · 02-08-2011, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by sambo

Thanks for your responses, I suppose there is no one mode to rule them all so I have another excuse to go out and experiment.

Each has its application and eventually you'll know the most appropriate mode to use just by looking at the scene you want to capture.

I use all three, but mostly matrix.
Matrix for generally well-lit scenes throughout.
Centre particularly for portraiture or specifically centred subject matter.
Spot for exposing the subject in the midst of an unevenly lit scene/background.

sambo · 02-09-2011, 12:13 AM

Originally posted by icywarm

Not to sound rude, but I use the one I need for the shot I want to take....

black bird in bright sun... spot meter

face in light, but dark elseway... centre weighted

landscape, indoor sports, multi segment...

but if I can... I use a off camera meter... and good amount of the time (with film almost all the time) I just estimate it... I have a card and set and shoot...

I didn't find your post rude at all, Icywarm... quite helpful in fact. Exactly the type of answer I was looking for.

RioRico · 02-09-2011, 12:23 AM

Whatever works at any particular point in time. Sometimes that means taking a spot or center or matrix reading, then going manual and staying there. Sometimes that means taking several spot readings and averaging them. Sometimes it means whipping out the old incident-light meter and reading the light, not the subject. Sometimes it means auto-whatever with bracketing.

This is rather like asking, "What lens do you use?" Why, my MacTak 50/4 (1:1) is good for almost everything! But then I'm limited to center-weighted metering. Bother.

JeffJS · 02-09-2011, 12:29 AM

Well, I don't know what God intended but I use Spot metering almost exclusively and typically stick to M mode.

sambo · 02-09-2011, 12:29 AM

For all responders, thanks for the feedback. It seems like multi-segment metering is quite popular. I was often disappointed with it on my K10 and stuck to centre-weighted most of the time , but may have to give it another try, now that I have a K5.

I expected to get a broad range of answers and I certainly have. Metering is one of the areas I would like to improve on and getting an idea of what works for various users in various situations is helpful.

02-07-2011, 06:27 PM	#1
sambo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 41	What Metering Mode do you use? What Metering Mode do you use (and if you want to comment - why)? I do a lot of focus/recompose with spot focus so I usually use Centre-weighted with AE lock linked to AF lock, though with shadow recovery possible on the K5, I am thinking of unlinking AE & AF lock and possibly switching to Multi-segment Metering. Would love to get some feedback from the Pentaxforums braintrust.

02-08-2011, 11:51 AM	#8
basditz Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Posts: 29	I almost always use multi-segment, and adjust with the exposure compensation when necessary (for example snowy scenes will always mess up the metering so push exposure 1-2 stops) If my K-x would have a button to quickly change exposure mode I would probably use other modes more but going into the info menu is just too much work most of the time. (my old powershot had that button, I sure miss it) Last edited by basditz; 02-08-2011 at 12:25 PM.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
K-7 metering in A-mode wildly off?	alan_smithee_photos	Pentax DSLR Discussion	3	12-23-2010 06:33 AM
what metering mode do you use and why?	hockmasm	Pentax DSLR Discussion	18	11-15-2010 05:26 AM
Light Metering Mode K20D	mattmiles	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	3	12-02-2009 07:55 PM
stop-down metering and Av mode	Beau	Pentax DSLR Discussion	15	06-02-2009 09:58 PM
metering mode question	laissezfaire	Pentax DSLR Discussion	3	09-22-2008 11:47 PM

02-07-2011, 06:42 PM	#2
sambo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 41 Original Poster	Hmm, was trying to set this up as a poll - oh well, the joys of being a newbie. Basically was wondering which of the following modes you usually shoot in Multi-segmented Metering (with lenses that support it) Centre-wieghted Metering Spot Metering All manual, all the time - the way God intended. There is no perfect setting, I mix it up from shot to shot. Bracketing, baby - storage is cheap and one of the shots is sure to nail it

02-07-2011, 07:05 PM	#3
Ole Administrator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,409	Multi segment, and bracketing. Av exposure mode (I want to control the DOF).

02-07-2011, 07:15 PM	#4
ajoe Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: PA Posts: 89	Quite honestly, it's whatever feels good at the moment. I constantly change mode, metering, ISO.....

02-08-2011, 09:46 AM	#5
sambo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 41 Original Poster	Thanks for your responses, I suppose there is no one mode to rule them all so I have another excuse to go out and experiment.

02-08-2011, 09:52 AM	#6
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	with any AF lens I tend to Multi Meter But since i shoot a lot of old lenses mostly i push the green button and get center weighted I also shoot sunny 16 a lot on film, and frequently will shoot full manual without metering when it is a lighting situation i'm familiar with (sometimes chimping to adjust) Oh and I use a hand held incident meter with my MF most of the time

02-08-2011, 09:58 AM	#7
Northern Soul Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The North of England Photos: Albums Posts: 494	Multi segment with supported lenses for me. The K10 with centre weighted tended to underexpose about 1 or 1.5 stops, but I find the multi metering pretty good, although I also know when it's going to need a bit of adjustment. I have an Adaptall 2 Tamrom 70-210 on loan from my dad's treasure chest of old camera stuff too - it's great for quasi- macro - and that I shoot fully manual as the camera isn't able to control the aperture. Last edited by Northern Soul; 02-08-2011 at 09:59 AM. Reason: Added link to review of lens.

02-08-2011, 12:08 PM	#9
icywarm Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Saskatchewan Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,278	Not to sound rude, but I use the one I need for the shot I want to take.... black bird in bright sun... spot meter face in light, but dark elseway... centre weighted landscape, indoor sports, multi segment... but if I can... I use a off camera meter... and good amount of the time (with film almost all the time) I just estimate it... I have a card and set and shoot...

02-08-2011, 08:00 PM	#10
Arpe Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: New Zealand Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,452	Generally centre. Very occasionally multi-segment.

02-08-2011, 08:40 PM	#11
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	Originally posted by sambo Thanks for your responses, I suppose there is no one mode to rule them all so I have another excuse to go out and experiment. Each has its application and eventually you'll know the most appropriate mode to use just by looking at the scene you want to capture. I use all three, but mostly matrix. Matrix for generally well-lit scenes throughout. Centre particularly for portraiture or specifically centred subject matter. Spot for exposing the subject in the midst of an unevenly lit scene/background.

02-09-2011, 12:13 AM	#12
sambo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 41 Original Poster	Originally posted by icywarm Not to sound rude, but I use the one I need for the shot I want to take.... black bird in bright sun... spot meter face in light, but dark elseway... centre weighted landscape, indoor sports, multi segment... but if I can... I use a off camera meter... and good amount of the time (with film almost all the time) I just estimate it... I have a card and set and shoot... I didn't find your post rude at all, Icywarm... quite helpful in fact. Exactly the type of answer I was looking for.

02-09-2011, 12:23 AM	#13
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Whatever works at any particular point in time. Sometimes that means taking a spot or center or matrix reading, then going manual and staying there. Sometimes that means taking several spot readings and averaging them. Sometimes it means whipping out the old incident-light meter and reading the light, not the subject. Sometimes it means auto-whatever with bracketing. This is rather like asking, "What lens do you use?" Why, my MacTak 50/4 (1:1) is good for almost everything! But then I'm limited to center-weighted metering. Bother.

02-09-2011, 12:29 AM	#14
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Well, I don't know what God intended but I use Spot metering almost exclusively and typically stick to M mode.

02-09-2011, 12:29 AM	#15
sambo Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Vancouver Posts: 41 Original Poster	For all responders, thanks for the feedback. It seems like multi-segment metering is quite popular. I was often disappointed with it on my K10 and stuck to centre-weighted most of the time , but may have to give it another try, now that I have a K5. I expected to get a broad range of answers and I certainly have. Metering is one of the areas I would like to improve on and getting an idea of what works for various users in various situations is helpful.

What Metering Mode do you use?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!