Ken Durling wrote:
Do many of you use an external lightmeter, or do you find that the EOS
meter suffices?
In most situations it is fine, however there are times when you may want a
handheld to gauge the light.
This would be for time when you have very contrasty light, are shooting in
bright areas like snowy mountains,
or are near reflective surfaces like water and want to make sure you get the
shot.
I was just in a camera store asking about meters,
and the guys there said "Why? You've got a great meter right there."
Agreed. When in doubt, the cheapest way around things is to use a gray
card.
Place it in the same light as your subject and expose for that. You will be
fine.
Are there situations in which I'd do well to have an external meter?
Is the EOS partial metering mode close enough to a spot meter to do
macro work?
The partial metering, or spot mode is very good but you have to understand
that you are metering small areas and they may not be the same color as your
subject. So best to use spot and read multiple areas then average the
reading.
For macro work you may get best results from the camera's meter but you need
to know the reflectiveness of the subject. For example, a yellow flower
(rose) that fills the frame should be exposure compensated byt about 1 more
stop (open 1 more stop) since the meter thinks it sees 18% gray and the
yellow rose will cause it to stop down the camera a bit too much.
In time, experience will teach you.
Hope this helps.
Peter K.
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