Nikon Shooters - Metering Modes

[Don Thompson]

For a friend;

I realize that different conditions sometimes dictate different modes, but which metering mode do you generally, and why?

He generally uses Center-Weighted Average. I have read that Matrix is generally better for average conditions.

[PeterCollins]

for general out and about, shooting building, family friends etc I use matrix, for Aircraft or birds center weighted with an appropriate amount of manual overide depending on the lighting situation

Pete

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Don Would stick to Matrix all the time !! The center weighted was used in the past but with the current matrix don's see much use for it in nature photography !!

Peter I think we are talking about two different things, metering modes and exposure modes.

For flight you are referring to an exposure mode combined with center-weighted so most of the exposure comes form the aircraft.

Would be best using full manual and just set the settings you need, as the aircraft changes bg (clouds, clear sky etc.) it will be in the same light but if the exposure is changed the plane is not going to look the same !! You mentioned compensation which indicates using Av or TV? In any way your aircraft images looks great and are very well exposed !!!

[Lance Peters]

matrix 100 percent of the time
unless doing landscape - will use spot then to work out the dynamic range to see how I am going to handle the exposure.

[PeterCollins]

Hi Don Would stick to Matrix all the time !! The center weighted was used in the past but with the current matrix don's see much use for it in nature photography !!

Peter I think we are talking about two different things, metering modes and exposure modes.

For flight you are referring to an exposure mode combined with center-weighted so most of the exposure comes form the aircraft.

Would be best using full manual and just set the settings you need, as the aircraft changes bg (clouds, clear sky etc.) it will be in the same light but if the exposure is changed the plane is not going to look the same !! You mentioned compensation which indicates using Av or TV? In any way your aircraft images looks great and are very well exposed !!!

Hi Mate,

Yeh i use my equiv of Tv followed by compensation to highlight the aircraft, being able to control the shutter speed to allow for prop blur when needed, would use Tv as opposed to Manual due to the aircraft moving throughout the airfield or display area and changing the light amount/direction falling onto the aircraft. If it comes from right to left will be differnet light then left to right, or high to low etc... but i digress...

I use Matrix with the exception as above, only time i use center weighted is when shooting birds/planes etc...and even then its for a specific purpose (ie needing manual compensation etc...) wouldnt use it for normal shooting.

Hope that claifies what i mean :)

Thanks for the compliment bout the aircraft pics :D

[Alfred Forns]

Hi Peter I knew what you were doing and makes sense, specialized shooting !!! About the only application I can think you could use? Still give the manual a try if the aircraft will be in the same light !!!!

Will post my B-17 Tonight in F&F :)

[Don Thompson]

Thanks everyone. I will pass this on to my friend.

[Phil Seu]

matrix except for spot metering something neutral when going to manual mode

[Juan Aragonés]

If I have to choose one mode it is matrix, no doubt :)