Canon 400D Query.

[Killwilly]

I have posted elsewhere on the forum for help choosing my first DSLR. This question is specifically for the Canon 400D.

I note from reading reviews that the 400D doesn't have spot metering, which is a shame as this looks to be a great camera. I know people will say that I could go for the 450D, but that would increase my budget.

How important is spot metering in digital photography?

I did use it quite a lot with my old Canon T90.

[Trevelyan]

It doesn't have spot metering as such, but one of the metering modes effectively does the same. I think it's the partial metering mode which concentrates on a small area in the centre of the viewfinder. It covers a slightly larger area than would be the case with true spot metering, but unless you're heavily into technical/advanced photography I can't imagine you'd have a problem. I use a 400D for all sorts and during the rare times when I've needed to move away from evaluative or centre weighted average metering I've found partial metering to be fine.

[oobster]

There is a way to hack the 400D and get spot metering, as well as an increased ISO range.

I'm at work just now so I can't locate the link easily but if you go over to POTN and look in the EOS forum there's a sticky at the top that tells you how to do it.

I've done it with my camera and it was fairly easy, and easily reversible.

[jon-]

You can hack spot metering, along with iso 3200 / 50 into the 400d

That said, partial metering and Ev compensation does the same, just not quite as quickly (2 shots instead of 1)

[Killwilly]

oobster said:

There is a way to hack the 400D and get spot metering, as well as an increased ISO range.

I'm at work just now so I can't locate the link easily but if you go over to POTN and look in the EOS forum there's a sticky at the top that tells you how to do it.

I've done it with my camera and it was fairly easy, and easily reversible.

Sorry not quite sure what "POTN" is, could you point me in the right direction please?

Cheers.

[mrmr96]

Killwilly said:

oobster said:

There is a way to hack the 400D and get spot metering, as well as an increased ISO range.

I'm at work just now so I can't locate the link easily but if you go over to POTN and look in the EOS forum there's a sticky at the top that tells you how to do it.

I've done it with my camera and it was fairly easy, and easily reversible.

Sorry not quite sure what "POTN" is, could you point me in the right direction please?

Cheers.

Here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

[Killwilly]

mrmr96 said:

Killwilly said:

oobster said:

There is a way to hack the 400D and get spot metering, as well as an increased ISO range.

I'm at work just now so I can't locate the link easily but if you go over to POTN and look in the EOS forum there's a sticky at the top that tells you how to do it.

I've done it with my camera and it was fairly easy, and easily reversible.

Sorry not quite sure what "POTN" is, could you point me in the right direction please?

Cheers.

Here
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php...

Brilliant, thanks very much.

[Starfighter]

Partial meetering is about 9.5% of the centre of the viewfinder. Spot metering is arount 1%.

Stick the camera in manual most and Partial Meatering then wander the camera around the view. You'll soon get the hang of balancing things out. Use the histogram function as an overcheck.

[RobDickinson]

I've coped quite well withm y 350D and no spot metering, it would be handy used correctly and will probably use it for some stuff on the 7D, but I wouldnt buy/not buy a camera over it, it can go hideously wrong as often as get it right.

[g3org3y]

Just given it a go and it really works. Very good link, thanks for sharing.

- *goes off to do some spot metered shots at ISO 3200*

[Simpo Two]

Starfighter said:

Partial Meatering

That'll butcher the image