In a message dated 99-01-25 05:41:32 EST, you, Sean, write:
<< Most likely if I had settled for the EOS-3's evaluative metering
or my OM-4Ti's center-weighted, it would have resulted in the same
exposure settings averaged by the spot metering. But I've gotten
so used to & dependent on spot, that I wonder if I am using it
incorrectly. Anyone else feels this way?? >>
Generally true if the exposure values are within 5 stops or so and if your
prime subject matter is near the average values calculated by the OM4. But if
you exceed this range, the camera is going to overexpose the highlights or
underexpose the shadows or both. The OM4 allows you to make a choice by going
to manual or exposure compensation on auto.
In manual, remember what each of the spot readings signify, ignore the bar
reading that sets exposure to the "average" of the spot exposures, and, as you
adjust either the aperture or shutter speed, you can see the diamonds go up
and down the scale. The diamonds give you a visual representation of exposure
values. Overlay this over the exposure latitude of the film (Ex. +2 and -2.5)
over the shutter/aperture combination which will be dead center in the
viewfinder. If you practice, you can look at your metered scene and think this
area is +2 stops, this area is -1stop, etc., etc. It's better than Nikon's
matrix metering because you know the exposure of each spot in your photo.
In auto, the same technique applies except you have to use the exposure
compensation dial or you can use averaging as sort of a biasing tool. The use
of the spot to bias the average exposure has been talked about before. If you
turn the compensation dial, the bar graph will move relative to the diamonds
indicating each individual reading. The diamonds will stay put while the
exposure bar moves left and right. You can again overlay the spot exposure
values over the latitude of the film.
This is how I use the OM4T and OM3. I hope it wasn't too complicated. If
the scene looks evenly lit I just use average and bracket in one direction if
its going to be a keeper.
Warren Kato
wkato@xxxxxxx
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