Should I learn Canon evaluative metering or stick with center-weighted/spot?
Asked 5/31/2011
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I usually use spot metering on a Canon EOS 50D with AE lock and exposure compensation, because it gives me very consistent results. The downside is speed, especially in fast-changing situations. I’d like to rely more on a wider-area mode such as evaluative or center-weighted average (CWA), but I’m unsure which is worth learning.
In practice, evaluative metering feels less predictable to me, because I can’t always tell when the camera has already adjusted for the scene and when I still need to add exposure compensation. CWA seems simpler and more consistent, but for off-center subjects I still end up metering, locking exposure, and recomposing.
Is it better to spend time learning how evaluative metering behaves in different scenes, or to use CWA and develop a stronger habit of reading the scene and applying compensation myself?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
15y ago
2 Answers
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Metering will always be trial and error, because the camera assumes everything you're shooting reflects 18% of the incoming light back at the camera. It has no way of knowing whether your subject is white or grey, or even what part of your scene is the intended subject!
The closest the camera can get to knowing the latter is by looking at the currently selected focus point, as you suggest. In fact some Canon bodies do offer spot metering linked to the active focus point. I suspect it's only on the more expensive models. Edit: yes it seems to be just the 1D/1Ds models. And it's only activated when you're using a subset of the 45 AF points, which is disappointed (you'd think it could use the closest spot metering point when you have all 45 activated).
Contrary to ElendilTheTall I use Evaluative mode almost exclusively (no I don't use the camera on auto ;). The reason for this is I don't want to be constantly recomposing to meter. Also whilst Evaluative might not get it right as much as spot metering, but when spot metering gets it wrong, it can get it wrong by a huge margin. Example, if you happen to have a deep shadow in the centre of the scene you'll massively overexpose.
At the end of the day metering is fixable in post as long as you're close, unlike for example, focus. So when shooting quickly I concentrate on nailing the focus, even if it means the metering is off. Evaluative allows me to do this. If I'm not shooting quickly I'll bracket exposure or use manual to get the exposure exactly how I want it.
Originally by user1375. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user1375
15y ago
0
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There isn’t a single “best” choice—both approaches require experience because any reflected-light meter is ultimately trying to make the scene average out near a middle tone. The camera can’t truly know your intended subject or whether it should be rendered bright, dark, or neutral.
Evaluative metering can work well, but it may feel less predictable because the camera is making scene-based judgments for you. If you also add exposure compensation, it can be hard to know whether the camera has already accounted for the scene. With practice, you can learn which scenes evaluative handles well and which ones it doesn’t—but that learning is camera-specific.
Center-weighted average is simpler and often more predictable, so if you prefer understanding and controlling the result yourself, it’s a very reasonable mode to invest in, alongside spot when needed.
A practical answer: use CWA and spot if they match how you think, and test evaluative deliberately for a while to learn its behavior. Choose the one that gives you the fastest reliable results for your style; you’re not “missing out” if evaluative doesn’t suit you.
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