Which exposure metering mode are you using for Q2?

[SirBlunder]

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I've had my Q2 for a few weeks now and am loving it, but am struggling to nail down which metering mode is best for me. 

I don't change my ISO much, so I'm leaving it on auto and I've mapped my custom button/dial on the top of the camera to the metering mode selector. Feels like I'm getting the best results from Multi Field. 

Which mode are you guys using and why? How often do you switch? 

[jaapv]

The metering mode depends on the subject.  High-contrast, for instance, asks for spot metering, General landscape will do well on multi, a portrait on centre-weighed, etc. In general, a camera cannot determine exposure for you, the user must make the decisions, based on the input of the light meter.

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[Le Chef]

Agree with Jaap - it depends on what where and when I’m shooting. If there’s a consistency it’s that I change the metering to suit.

[jaapv]

With a mirrorless the best way to achieve perfect exposure is to have the histogram in the EVF and adjust EV comp accordingly.

[AlexKirk]

27 minutes ago, jaapv said:

With a mirrorless the best way to achieve perfect exposure is to have the histogram in the EVF and adjust EV comp accordingly.

Even without histogram we can get properly exposured photo looking in EVF/monitor and adjusting the exposure using the wheel…regardless the metering mode we use.

We are in digital photography era now and can use WYSWYG digital cameras advantage when we are able to evaluate the exposure BEFORE taking picture.  

[jaapv]

I do not agree. The brightness of the monitor/EVF is variable and unreliable for judging exposure. It is WYSIWYNG. And - how bright is the outside light? How far is the pupil of your eye closed? It affects the "exposure" you observe. The histogram is objective.

[marchyman]

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53 minutes ago, AlexKirk said:

Even without histogram we can get properly exposured photo looking in EVF/monitor and adjusting the exposure using the wheel…regardless the metering mode we use.

I can't.  I'm not saying it can not be done -- if it works for you, fantastic. For some reason it doesn't work for me.

[ianforber]

 Was using centre weighted for most situations but I’m currently giving the highlight weighted a go. Seems ok so far but I’ve not really used it in a range of different situations. 

[luetz]

I generally use spot metering with exposure set to (-2/3).  This way I can get the look I want(most times) in PP and not have highlights blown out.

[AlexKirk]

3 hours ago, jaapv said:

I do not agree. The brightness of the monitor/EVF is variable and unreliable for judging exposure. It is WYSIWYNG. And - how bright is the outside light? How far is the pupil of your eye closed? It affects the "exposure" you observe. The histogram is objective.

OK, this is question of personal taste.

Anyway, in both cases (using histogram or visual control through EVF) the importance of exposure metering (spot, center-weighted, etc.) become very low, because you do not rely completely on metering method used, you use another tool (histogram) to tune the exposure.

 

P.S.
taking into account Q2 dynamic range and sensor tolerance to the small exposure errors, my approach with image visual control works for me in 99% cases…:)

Edited July 16, 2022 by AlexKirk

[SrMi]

4 hours ago, AlexKirk said:

Even without histogram we can get properly exposured photo looking in EVF/monitor and adjusting the exposure using the wheel…regardless the metering mode we use.

We are in digital photography era now and can use WYSWYG digital cameras advantage when we are able to evaluate the exposure BEFORE taking picture.  

While the brightness in EVF/LCD can warn you about extreme exposure mistakes, it should not be used to judge the exposure.

[SrMi]

6 hours ago, SirBlunder said:

I've had my Q2 for a few weeks now and am loving it, but am struggling to nail down which metering mode is best for me. 

I don't change my ISO much, so I'm leaving it on auto and I've mapped my custom button/dial on the top of the camera to the metering mode selector. Feels like I'm getting the best results from Multi Field. 

Which mode are you guys using and why? How often do you switch? 

Multi-field with histogram is likely the most reliable exposure approach.

[jaapv]

51 minutes ago, AlexKirk said:

OK, this is question of personal taste.

Anyway, in both cases (using histogram or visual control through EVF) the importance of exposure metering (spot, center-weighted, etc.) become very low, because you do not rely completely on metering method used, you use another tool (histogram) to tune the exposure.

 

P.S.
taking into account Q2 dynamic range and sensor tolerance to the small exposure errors, my approach with image visual control works for me in 99% cases…:)

No, it is a simple fact. As you say, the saving grace here is that digital cameras are quite tolerant of exposure errors. To be clear, I am not commenting on the methods of other forum members at all, we all have our practices that work for us. But people come here for information and guidance from more experienced photographers. Let's make sure that our answers are accurate.

[Bazookajoe]

I shoot my Q2 the same way I was taught how to shoot film -all manually. And owing to the superb EVF, I can meter for what I want, which is super important for me because I like to shoot a lot of street scenes with extreme variance between bright light, and heavy shadows. My general starting point is Shutter speed 1/1000, ISO 400, and I'll just twist the aperture ring to get the exposure in the VF that I like! I haven't even LOOKED at a meter in... well I can't remember. The reality of it is, if I exposed shots like these the way that the meter was suggesting, I wouldn't end up with so much extreme.

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[Le Chef]

I'm with Jaap in that I trust the histogram over what I see in the EVF. I will adjust the Exposure Compensation dial to provide the proper distribution curve.

[Ronaldraw]

For me it will be the first time I have to make a family shoot ( 5 persons) in a park. I have been thinking which metering to use

Is Multi Field the best option for this kind of situation

[LocalHero1953]

As previous posters have suggested, the histogram is the safest way, and then the exposure metering method is irrelevant. The histogram evaluates the whole image. In my case I combine it with blinkies to show exactly which part of the image is overexposed; I can then decide if that matters (e.g. the sun, street or indoor lights, specular reflections).

I normally shoot in aperture priority mode, and make adjustments with exposure compensation on the rear wheel. 

[Blackadder978]

If you do not have sharp differences in light for your family shoot, multifield will give you good exposures, check the histogram to make sure. Other metering methods are needed if you have sharp differences that with multifield will result in uneven exposures, like a window with a lot of light on one side of the group you want to shoot (or at worst in the back of the group). If you want to make sure, take the same shoot with different metering methods, compare the difference and the the one you like best.

[Le Chef]

For high contrast you might add the clipping aid to the histogram to make sure.

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[bobtodrick]

I know some of you may laugh, but when shooting landscapes me metering method is Pentax Spotmeter 😂