Jim Davis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote [in part]: > I hope you found the online manual useful. > > I would like clarification of the online manual in one point. The > exposure modes. The empty rectangle really means centre weighted? > > It doesn't make sense, whereas the rectangle with the circle in the > centre of it does make sense for centre weighted. > > In fact, come to think of it, the rectangle with the circle with the > dot in it makes more sense for partial metering. > > Can anyone confirm this? Did the online manual get them all wrong, or > did Canon really screw up the icons? > > Any thoughts on using the exposure modes, in what situations, and > what's the best default you use? > > I see it like this. Partial metering is best if you are conscious of > it all the time and use it properly. The evaluative metering is a bit > limited on the 55 because it only has 6 zones. Centre weighted is > described as equivalent to old style camera metering. > > For me, all zones have worked well, except partial has let me down at > times when I haven't remembered to think about it. > > Perhaps evaluative would be the best default no think shooting, while > switching to partial metering when a tricky situation shows. Knowing > ahead of time to switch is a bonus. > > I might upgrade to the EOS 7e to overcome this, any comments on it's > evaluative metering being that much better? Although with a mint, > BLACK EOS 55 in my bag, it'll be a tough decision. > > I'm going to shoot a roll of slides making notes on these metering > modes and in different situations and find out what's really best, but > I'd love to hear any comments on what you have found, since many have > likely already done signifigant testing like this. > > I gotta shot a roll when the new lens comes anyway to test it. This > metering thing I have to resolve first.
Jim, That's the way Canon does the metering icons, the online description (http://eosdoc.com/manuals.asp?q=ElanII) is correct. By the way, spot metering on EOS cameras that have it is a dot with no sideways parenthesis surrounding it. I used evaluative metering exclusively when I first got my Elan IIe. After being dissatisfied with many backlit shots of houses (lot of sky), I switched to partial metering linked to focus point and was pleased with the results. Just remember to meter on what you want as a midtone. When I bought another Elan IIe for the woman I live with, I taught that method to her from the start, with good results. I will note that I find that the EOS 3 has a better evaluative metering (for my purposes) than my Elan IIe did. With the EOS 3, I either use evaluative metering or spot metering linked to the focus point [on the 3, partial metering is available only at the center focus point]. Hope this helps, Bill Jameson * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
