Instruction manual

foreground; you do this by adjusting the aperture/shutter or by using the Aperture

Priority mode (discussed below).

2.2 Metering System

The metering system in a digital camera measures the amount of light in the

scene and calculates the exposure value based on the selected (or default)

metering mode. Automatic exposure is a standard feature in all digital cameras;

all you have to do is select the metering mode, point the camera and press the

shutter release. Most of the time, this will result in a correct exposure.

The metering method defines which information of the scene is used to

calculate the exposure value and how it is determined. Metering modes depend

on the camera and the brand, but are mostly variations of the following:

• Center-weighted Average Metering is probably the most common metering

method and is the default for those digital cameras which don't offer metering

mode selection. This method averages the exposure of the entire frame but

gives extra weight to the central part of the scene. Since this method

assumes that you are most interested in what is in front of the scene, the

camera tries to expose this part properly. This method is designed for

conditions where your subject is in the middle of the frame, and the

background contains bright lights, dark shadows or other extreme lighting

situations that may confuse the metering in the center of your image.

• Matrix (also Multi-Segment or Evaluative) Metering offers the best exposure in

most circumstances. Essentially, the scene is split up into a matrix of

metering zones which are evaluated individually, instead of concentrating

primarily on the center. This method delivers outstanding results under a

broad range of conditions, and is the best choice for most situations where

you’re using the camera’s automatic features.

• Spot (Partial) Metering measures only a small area of your image, usually the

center, thus allowing you to meter the subject in the center one percent of the

frame (or on some cameras at the selected AF point) while ignoring the rest of

the frame completely. This type of metering is most commonly used for

dealing with extremely backlit situations such as very light or very dark

backgrounds.

2.3 Exposure Lock (Pre-focus)

The exposure lock feature is one of the handiest features you can use in a

digital camera. It is usually activated by applying slight pressure to the shutter

release button – not enough to activate the shutter and take a picture, but enough

that you feel the button move and the camera respond. This is also referred to

pre-focusing.

Once you activate exposure lock, the camera’s autofocus lens locks the

subject into sharp focus and the exposure meter measures light and locks in the

exposure. As long as you hold the shutter button in this position the exposure is