I bought a Canon T3i last week and have been trying out the metering modes. I go to "menu", hit "set" to go to metering mode options, then hit "set" to choose one. However, evaluative metering always seems to be the default. If I choose spot metering, take a picture and then go back to the menu, evaluative metering is selected again. Why does it not stay on spot metering? When I turn the camera off and back on, then it will show spot metering as being selected. I shoot one picture, and it goes back to evaluative. I normally shoot using the manual options so I can play with f-stop and shutter speed. The book says that I should be able to adjust metering mode in all but the basic zone modes.

Also, when I go to look at the details of the picture, all it says for metering mode is "pattern" no matter what setting I had the metering mode set on. I have a Canon S5 IS and I always left it on center weighted average and that is what is says in the details. What does "pattern" mean?

Is there something I am doing wrong or is it possible that the camera is malfunctioning? Or maybe it is functioning the way it should and I just don't understand what is going on I probably am not understanding exactly what I'm supposed to be looking for, because I am not seeing the difference in these four pics. Or maybe I picked the wrong subject to shoot.

Spot Metering



Partial Metering


Center-Weighted Metering


Evaluative Metering

According to the EXIF data, the exposure and f/value are constant on the 4 photos. And the metering mode is "pattern" or "multi-segment" for all four shots (depending on the EXIF reader that I use).

So if they looked substantially different, there would be something wrong with our eyes, not our camera.

I don't know how to get your Canon to behave properly. But I do know that it's behaving consistently and identically (on those shots, at least) no matter what you did to it.

if your camera is set on auto, it won't allow special metering modes. you need to get if off 'full-auto' somehow.
as far as 'pattern' goes - most cameras use software to identify objects in the frame to optimize focusing. if it's set to 'auto-focus' it'll use only it's software, won't allow you to do anything else. in full auto mode it'll normally use auto-focus.
try to download some kind of add-on documentation from canon site - based on your camera model. there is usually smth available.
you might also google for reviews on special photography oriented sites - they will often point out some tricks.

Thanks asa and skylark. You've helped me to figure this out. I was shooting in the advanced mode "M" for manual control. However, I believe I was shooting in "Live View" mode according to the website mentioned below. I will have to check when I get home this evening.

The manual that came with the camera only referenced one page for metering mode and it said nothing about metering mode adjustments not working when shooting in Live View.

I found this site that I believe explains my problem:
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/...

Which says that "The Canon Rebel T3 and T3i offer four metering modes. However, you can access all four modes only in the advanced exposure modes (P, Tv, Av, M, and A-DEP) and only during regular, through-the-viewfinder shooting. In Live View mode, as well as in the fully automatic exposure modes, you’re restricted to the first of the four modes, Evaluative metering."

Still learning this camera and photography in general. It can be frustrating, but I would like to do more than just point-and-shoot at this stage.

(I split these posts off a different thread into its own thread.)

Vickie, since you mentioned you're using the M mode, that would mean you're setting all the different exposure options manually. That's a lot of things to control, which is fine, but if you're really just getting started with these options, I'd suggest you begin by playing with the Tv and A controls.

In Tv you set the exposure time and the camera picks everything else. So your only decision is how fast the shutter will open.

In A mode you pick the aperture opening size and the camera figures the rest out for you. I spend most of my time in A mode because I like controlling the aperture more than anything else.

If I want to set spot metering, I'll turn my camera to A mode, set the aperture appropriately (often f/5.6 or f/7.1) and then change the metering mode.

You'll love the t3i once you start getting used to the controls.

when i am using 'full-auto' and try to reset anything, my camera gives me a message 'not available in this mode'. so it's pretty clear instantly that i need to exit full-auto. you should have a similar 'help'.
it's possible you're getting some kind of msg that is not self-evident: like an error-code/number or flashing/blinking of some indicator.
you also should be able to display the settings for the shot (manual or auto, either way), in view finder or on LCD screen. they won't be visible on the print/final image. but it allows you to monitor the settings while you are experimenting. it can be very useful while you are learning how changing aperture/exposure/mode affects the final result.

Thanks, Dave. That is a great suggestion. I was probably trying to do too much manually and just need to step back and do one thing at a time. I used the aperture mode a little on my Canon S5 IS, but mostly stayed in manual. It went to f2.8 and I really liked it. When I bought the T3i, I wondered why it didn't go to f2.8. But that is another lens I guess. :shrug:

Skylark, It's possible that I was getting something like that, but didn't see it. Or more likely, I saw it and didn't know what the camera was trying to tell me. I did find out that there is a button on the front bottom that will let you see the exposure on the picture before you take the shot. There is so much info on the menu screen and I just need to figure out what is all there.

blue23rose said: When I bought the T3i, I wondered why it didn't go to f2.8. But that is another lens I guess.

You got it. The lens, not the camera body, is what determines the maximum (smallest numbered f-stop) aperture.

Took the camera off of Live View and everything makes more sense now. I am so used to looking at the LCD though, I am not sure how much I will be using this. I probably need to make a cheat sheet though, because I may not remember next time that I cannot change metering mode in Live View. Thanks for everyone's help!

I can really tell a difference in the spot metering, but not so much in the other three. I focused on the red spot just to the left of the word "Root". Pay no attention to my mess please!



Center Weighted


Evaluative


Partial


Spot