View Full Version : Metering and focus,important questions (well for me anyway)


Metalrebel
02-15-2006, 02:35 PM
Ok,I think I'm using my gear correctly. But I'm going to go out on a limb a little bit here. And probably sound even more stupid than usual and make sure.

My questions are specificity for the Canon 1D Mark II.
I just want to make sure I'm understanding and using my gear correctly.
I have more quesions as usual but I'm only going to post a couple at a time.

Question #1 (Metering)
Let's say I set my camera settings to SPOT metering. And I DO NOT select a specific spot metering point.
The camera would then meter 3.8% of the center. Is this part correct so far?
Ok, once I do select my specific spot metering point it will also link together and the camera will try to specificity focus (and meter) on that point. Is this correct?

Question #2 (custom functions)
Ok, once I have it set to the setting I described in part two of question #1( after I set the AF point/metering point).
In the custom functions (C.FN-17) if I set the camera setting to 7 AF points (in C.FN-17) it will focus (and meter) up to 7-points of that area selected,of course depending on where the one point I select is located. Correct?
And the same thing for the other option? Being it will focus/meter up to 13 points around the area if I select that option. Correct.

That's all for now, I probably already have people wondering what I'm talking about. I'm not very good at explaining something when I have to type it out.

So, please help me out and clue me in. Tell me if I'm correct and any other advise or thoughts you might want to add.

Thanks so much for your help.
__________________
Thanks,
Joey

Go check out the online version of my magazine to see more photos:
http://www.musicandentertainment.org

Photo-John
02-15-2006, 07:09 PM
Essentially, you're trying to figure out whether the linked metering transfers to limited AF points. I have the original 1D and I don't use linked metering. But even though it makes sense that linked metering would be transferred to the limited AF point setup, it doesn't make sense for the spot metering are to be made larger. Then it wouldn't be spot metering, right? I'm just about to leave the office. I'll try to remember to take a look at the manual when I get home. You've got me curious.

If you don't mind, I'm going to move this thread to the Canon forum. Since it's such a Canon-specific question, I think you might get more help there.

Metalrebel
02-16-2006, 07:30 AM
Thanks.
I've had a lot of people since this post tell me that:
Only if you use CF 13-1 they link together (AF and metering).

What's funny is I even sent Canon an e-mail to CANON support yetersday (a copy and paste of my orginal post).
Here's what they said:
Dear Joseph Foley:

Thank you for your inquiry. We value you as a Canon customer and
appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

You are correct in the way you understand the operations of the metering
system. Enjoy!

Canon has posted a series of tutorials at www.photoworkshop.com and http://www.canon.co.jp/Imaging/enjoydslr/index.html
which cover a vast array of topics regarding the EOS Digital SLR line of
cameras. Enjoy!

I can't add anymore because you are already using the most precise
metering mode we offer.

We look forward to your reply with the information we have requested
regarding your xxxCanon Productxxx.

Thank you for choosing Canon.

Sincerely,

Jason
Technical Support Representative

I guess they don't know their own cameras,lol

Photo-John
02-16-2006, 08:57 AM
Ok, I'm looking at my EOS 1D manual. According to this manual - and this is for the first 1D - Custom function 13 1 or 3 will link the AF and focus points. Setting 1 is for 11 AF points and 2 limits the AF to 9 AF points. It doesn't look like it combines points, like I thought. So I guess the spot metering area stays the same. It just links to your selected AF point.

I'd try a controlled test to be sure. Set up an easy to meter scene that will give you different results with spot or center-weighted average metering. Try it with CF13-1 and without it, making sure to meter the same area. If you get obviously different results you'll know that something is different. I think the spot area is consistent, though. My confusion was a result of my confusion about what limit the number of AF points does.

Thanks for your post. Looks like I learned something! :)

Metalrebel
02-16-2006, 09:02 AM
Thanks, so much John