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backlite subjects, what can be done?

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PaulyOly

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since the 300d doesn't have spot metering( why i will never know) what can be done with a backlite subject, is full manual the only way to go, here's a hawk i was shooting in aperature priority. I did some tests trying the camera in all modes shooting a backlite squirrel and still had similar results, seemed like none of the metering modes could handle this, i'm used to using a nikon cp990 through my spotting scope to get pics like this and always use spot metering which works great.

is it true the 10d doesn't have spot metering either?

 
Did you try to AE-L on the hawk? That should center-weight it.

And AFAIK, the 10D does not have spot metering either.
PaulyOly said:
since the 300d doesn't have spot metering( why i will never know)
what can be done with a backlite subject, is full manual the only
way to go, here's a hawk i was shooting in aperature priority. I
did some tests trying the camera in all modes shooting a backlite
squirrel and still had similar results, seemed like none of the
metering modes could handle this, i'm used to using a nikon cp990
through my spotting scope to get pics like this and always use spot
metering which works great.

is it true the 10d doesn't have spot metering either?

http://genji.image.pbase.com/u33/paulyoly/upload/21598772.hawkoaks.jpg
Click to expand...
--
-marius
Visit the EOS-300D FAQ: http://www.marius.org/eos300dfaq.php
Visit the S602Z FAQ: http://www.marius.org/fuji602faq.php
 
Actually I think manual switches to center weighted, while AEL, is something similar to spot (I guess a little bigger 9% or of frame or something?)
marius said:
And AFAIK, the 10D does not have spot metering either.
PaulyOly said:
since the 300d doesn't have spot metering( why i will never know)
what can be done with a backlite subject, is full manual the only
way to go, here's a hawk i was shooting in aperature priority. I
did some tests trying the camera in all modes shooting a backlite
squirrel and still had similar results, seemed like none of the
metering modes could handle this, i'm used to using a nikon cp990
through my spotting scope to get pics like this and always use spot
metering which works great.

is it true the 10d doesn't have spot metering either?

http://genji.image.pbase.com/u33/paulyoly/upload/21598772.hawkoaks.jpg
Click to expand...
--
-marius
Visit the EOS-300D FAQ: http://www.marius.org/eos300dfaq.php
Visit the S602Z FAQ: http://www.marius.org/fuji602faq.php
Click to expand...
--
David Goldwasser
http://www.inertia-llc.com
 
Try to use exposure lock on the hawk which will lead to switching the camera to partial metering. Or in manual mode tweak the exposure like +2 stops.
David Goldwasser said:
marius said:
And AFAIK, the 10D does not have spot metering either.
PaulyOly said:
since the 300d doesn't have spot metering( why i will never know)
what can be done with a backlite subject, is full manual the only
way to go, here's a hawk i was shooting in aperature priority. I
did some tests trying the camera in all modes shooting a backlite
squirrel and still had similar results, seemed like none of the
metering modes could handle this, i'm used to using a nikon cp990
through my spotting scope to get pics like this and always use spot
metering which works great.

is it true the 10d doesn't have spot metering either?

http://genji.image.pbase.com/u33/paulyoly/upload/21598772.hawkoaks.jpg
Click to expand...
--
-marius
Visit the EOS-300D FAQ: http://www.marius.org/eos300dfaq.php
Visit the S602Z FAQ: http://www.marius.org/fuji602faq.php
Click to expand...
--
David Goldwasser
http://www.inertia-llc.com
Click to expand...
--
Best regards,
Alex H.
 
Hi guys

I don't have the 300 d yet but in a pinch with a 1d we take a meter reading on something that is lit the same as the subject , then use exposure lock, then reframe and take the pic of the back lit subject. Works every time. I hope its that easy on the 300 d.
Dave
 
The partial meter should have done the trick in this situation as it is still a relatively small spot (not as small as true spot metering but no bigger than the subject in the picture, that's for sure). If that doesn't work, then there are a number of things you can do... Manual Mode as you mentioned would work, Exposure Compensation, or perhaps even use an external flash if you are in range.

Travis
 
Just leave it in aperture priority, put the partial meter over the hawk and lower branch, press the AE-lock button, and take the shot. The partial meter will average out the medium tone hawk, the dark tone branch and just a bit of the backlit sky to give you the right exposure based on that area.
 
One of things I got used to doing with my current digital camera -- no matter what the metering mode is set to -- is look at the LCD or EVF preview and move it around until it's properly exposed. Then press AE lock and voila. Simple. Unfortunately, when we all went to Digital SLR we gave up the preview feature for a bright, useable, crystal clear, 100% accurate viewfinder. I'm sure someone will figure out how to do the equivalent of spot metering without pressing too many buttons -- or will they? Maybe there's a 10D in your future.

--
Shoot First Edit Later
 
Does the 300d have an exposure compensation button ala G3/5 ?
PaulyOly said:
since the 300d doesn't have spot metering( why i will never know)
what can be done with a backlite subject, is full manual the only
way to go, here's a hawk i was shooting in aperature priority. I
did some tests trying the camera in all modes shooting a backlite
squirrel and still had similar results, seemed like none of the
metering modes could handle this, i'm used to using a nikon cp990
through my spotting scope to get pics like this and always use spot
metering which works great.

is it true the 10d doesn't have spot metering either?

Click to expand...
 
Ira_E said:
One of things I got used to doing with my current digital camera --
no matter what the metering mode is set to -- is look at the LCD or
EVF preview and move it around until it's properly exposed. Then
press AE lock and voila. Simple. Unfortunately, when we all went
to Digital SLR we gave up the preview feature for a bright,
useable, crystal clear, 100% accurate viewfinder. I'm sure someone
will figure out how to do the equivalent of spot metering without
pressing too many buttons -- or will they? Maybe there's a 10D in
your future.

--
Shoot First Edit Later
Click to expand...
There is sufficient area for the metering area to cover the hawk/branches. Do AEL, recompose, AF and shoot. Those of us with D30/60/10D--and the 1D folks do it all the time.

I have a friend that shoots with film and her subjects against a light sky are always dark--but I watch her technique--she composes and shoots without paying a bit of attention to her metering. Its just a technique that should be learned by all SLR shooters--
--
Diane B
http://www.pbase.com/picnic/galleries
B/W lover, but color is seducing me
 
Dave Smith said:
Hi guys
I don't have the 300 d yet but in a pinch with a 1d we take a meter
reading on something that is lit the same as the subject , then
use exposure lock, then reframe and take the pic of the back lit
subject. Works every time. I hope its that easy on the 300 d.
Dave
Click to expand...
I'm sure it's the same Dave, i've not tried AE lock, but that's not real convenient with birds, there's always post processing i guess.
 
Ira_E said:
One of things I got used to doing with my current digital camera --
no matter what the metering mode is set to -- is look at the LCD or
EVF preview and move it around until it's properly exposed. Then
press AE lock and voila. Simple. Unfortunately, when we all went
to Digital SLR we gave up the preview feature for a bright,
useable, crystal clear, 100% accurate viewfinder. I'm sure someone
will figure out how to do the equivalent of spot metering without
pressing too many buttons -- or will they? Maybe there's a 10D in
your future.

--
Shoot First Edit Later
Click to expand...
Ira, the 10d doesn't have spot metering, if it did i may have gotten it instead.

I've never actually used AE lock because with spot metering on the cp990 i never had to, i'll have to learn.
 
PaulyOly said:
since the 300d doesn't have spot metering( why i will never know)
what can be done with a backlite subject, is full manual the only
way to go, here's a hawk i was shooting in aperature priority. I
did some tests trying the camera in all modes shooting a backlite
squirrel and still had similar results, seemed like none of the
metering modes could handle this, i'm used to using a nikon cp990
through my spotting scope to get pics like this and always use spot
metering which works great.

is it true the 10d doesn't have spot metering either?

Click to expand...
Seems to me that this is a perfect example of when to use Fill-Flash. How far away was the subject? w/o fill-flash, I'm not sure how you would get a proper exposure in such a strong backlit situation. You are going to sacrifice the background in order to expose the subject properly. ISO 800 and a 550 will reach a long way and give a much better exposure than in your example.
 
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