Metering Settings

Josbor11 · 11-09-2018, 09:29 AM

Hey all, just recently downloaded the K-70 eBook and have been reading through it. One area of photography that I haven't really dove into yet is metering. I see a few setting options and recommendations in the eBook and am looking for thoughts / opinions on it.

1. It recommends turning "Link AE and AF Point" to on so that the metering is always leaning towards the focus point.
2. It recommends turning "AE-L with AF Locked" on so that auto exposure is locked every time auto focus is locked.

Both of those are set to off by default. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this and whether or not this is the consensus for these settings. Lastly, what does everyone typically use for meter operating time? It's set at 10 seconds by default.

Last edited by Josbor11; 11-09-2018 at 09:30 AM. Reason: Added details

**stevebrot** · 11-09-2018, 09:51 AM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by Josbor11

Both of those are set to off by default. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this and whether or not this is the consensus for these settings.

My opinions on these two settings is based on personal preference for my work flow and years of fielding help requests on this site:

Link AE with AF point? This is a common cause of exposure confusion and mishap. While it sounds good, actual results are unpredictable. There is a reason why it is OFF by default.

Lock AE with AF? As long as the user remains aware of this setting, it can be valuable, though it is not useful for those who focus and recompose. I personally prefer to manage exposure and focus separately to avoid surprise and ruined shots. Again, the default to OFF is a good clue that the feature may not be advisable for general use. Whether it makes sense to turn on depends on how one works and (IMHO) is best included as part of a User mode and not a general setting.

To balance the K-70 eBook, the detailed review here on Pentax Forums also has a list of recommended settings. The review author(s) leave both settings at their defaults.

Pentax K-70 Review - Recommended Settings | PentaxForums.com Reviews

Originally posted by Josbor11

Lastly, what does everyone typically use for meter operating time? It's set at 10 seconds by default.

I have been happy with the default 10s with my cameras.

Steve

**pschlute** · 11-09-2018, 10:01 AM - **1 Like**

What he said /\ /\ /\

The meter operating time is simply how long it stays on after you release the shutter button half-press. Never found the need to change mine from default either

Josbor11 · 11-09-2018, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

To balance the K-70 eBook, the detailed review here on Pentax Forums also has a list of recommended settings. The review author(s) leave both settings at their defaults.

Pentax K-70 Review - Recommended Settings | PentaxForums.com Reviews

I have been happy with the default 10s with my cameras.

Steve

Thanks for chiming in, I will leave them as they are. Not sure how I missed the recommended settings review, thanks for that link!

RKKS08 · 11-09-2018, 10:39 AM

Generally I agree with stevebrot and pschlute.
I use center spot for AF, and matrix measurement for lenses which support it (if they don't, locking EA with AF wouldn't make much sense anyway).
And because I use center for AF, I always recompose - this is also a habit automatically taken over from non-AF SLR times. And then AE-AF lock would make even less sense.

**stevebrot** · 11-09-2018, 10:41 AM

Another small note...Doing extensive setting customization makes it more difficult to sort user error from configuration side-effect. I can only think of a handful of deviations from the defaults that make sense for a new user. These are:

Record mode:

Consider shooting RAW, and if so use DNG. The value of DNG over PEF is debatable, but makes life easier if using other than current Adobe products
Lens corrections OFF (they slow image processing and can be applied later in post-processing if needed)
Lengthen instant review time to 3 seconds

Playback mode:Q

Quick zoom enabled to 100% for easy pixel peeping

Custom:

EV steps = 1/3 stop
Enable Catch-in-Focus...no penalty or side-effect for this feature used with manual focus lenses
Enable Aperture Ring...no penalty or side-effect for this feature required for using many vintage lenses

I left out the set-up stuff since those are all done per need. I also left out movie settings.

Steve

11-09-2018, 09:29 AM	#1
Josbor11 New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 5	Metering Settings Hey all, just recently downloaded the K-70 eBook and have been reading through it. One area of photography that I haven't really dove into yet is metering. I see a few setting options and recommendations in the eBook and am looking for thoughts / opinions on it. 1. It recommends turning "Link AE and AF Point" to on so that the metering is always leaning towards the focus point. 2. It recommends turning "AE-L with AF Locked" on so that auto exposure is locked every time auto focus is locked. Both of those are set to off by default. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this and whether or not this is the consensus for these settings. Lastly, what does everyone typically use for meter operating time? It's set at 10 seconds by default. Last edited by Josbor11; 11-09-2018 at 09:30 AM. Reason: Added details

11-09-2018, 10:41 AM	#6
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 31,039	Another small note...Doing extensive setting customization makes it more difficult to sort user error from configuration side-effect. I can only think of a handful of deviations from the defaults that make sense for a new user. These are: Record mode: Consider shooting RAW, and if so use DNG. The value of DNG over PEF is debatable, but makes life easier if using other than current Adobe products Lens corrections OFF (they slow image processing and can be applied later in post-processing if needed) Lengthen instant review time to 3 seconds Playback mode:Q Quick zoom enabled to 100% for easy pixel peeping Custom: EV steps = 1/3 stop Enable Catch-in-Focus...no penalty or side-effect for this feature used with manual focus lenses Enable Aperture Ring...no penalty or side-effect for this feature required for using many vintage lenses I left out the set-up stuff since those are all done per need. I also left out movie settings. Steve

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11-09-2018, 09:51 AM - 2 Likes	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 31,039	Originally posted by Josbor11 Both of those are set to off by default. Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this and whether or not this is the consensus for these settings. My opinions on these two settings is based on personal preference for my work flow and years of fielding help requests on this site: Link AE with AF point? This is a common cause of exposure confusion and mishap. While it sounds good, actual results are unpredictable. There is a reason why it is OFF by default. Lock AE with AF? As long as the user remains aware of this setting, it can be valuable, though it is not useful for those who focus and recompose. I personally prefer to manage exposure and focus separately to avoid surprise and ruined shots. Again, the default to OFF is a good clue that the feature may not be advisable for general use. Whether it makes sense to turn on depends on how one works and (IMHO) is best included as part of a User mode and not a general setting. To balance the K-70 eBook, the detailed review here on Pentax Forums also has a list of recommended settings. The review author(s) leave both settings at their defaults. Pentax K-70 Review - Recommended Settings \| PentaxForums.com Reviews Originally posted by Josbor11 Lastly, what does everyone typically use for meter operating time? It's set at 10 seconds by default. I have been happy with the default 10s with my cameras. Steve

11-09-2018, 10:01 AM - 1 Like	#3
pschlute Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Surrey, UK Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,287	What he said /\ /\ /\ The meter operating time is simply how long it stays on after you release the shutter button half-press. Never found the need to change mine from default either

11-09-2018, 10:33 AM	#4
Josbor11 New Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 5 Original Poster	Originally posted by stevebrot To balance the K-70 eBook, the detailed review here on Pentax Forums also has a list of recommended settings. The review author(s) leave both settings at their defaults. Pentax K-70 Review - Recommended Settings \| PentaxForums.com Reviews I have been happy with the default 10s with my cameras. Steve Thanks for chiming in, I will leave them as they are. Not sure how I missed the recommended settings review, thanks for that link!

11-09-2018, 10:39 AM	#5
RKKS08 Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Frankfurt am Main Posts: 1,191	Generally I agree with stevebrot and pschlute. I use center spot for AF, and matrix measurement for lenses which support it (if they don't, locking EA with AF wouldn't make much sense anyway). And because I use center for AF, I always recompose - this is also a habit automatically taken over from non-AF SLR times. And then AE-AF lock would make even less sense.