I've been using the Partial Metering (10% of center) setting for a few years but I've noticed that a lot of photogs are using Evaluative or Matrix Metering. It seems that Evaluative would be faster for sports or weddings?
I've been experimenting a little with Evaluative but still not sure. I'm a little concerned that it will pick up the dress and underexpose the faces. Does anyone know, does Canon give the lit focus point priority?
Just curious to see what others are using and in what situations.

For me I either spot meter or let my brain do the calculation. I lock the exposure with a half press of the shutter and focus with the back button (*). Works great!

I use back button focus also but how do I set the exposure using the half press of the shutter. Is that something that needs to be set?

I don't really know for sure. it really depends on yoru camera. Some quick perusing of your Cameras manual would be the best way to figure it out.

We shoot manual all the time and use spot all the time.

i have recently started using my sekonic l-508 apot/ambient meter. i wear it around my neck for quick usage.
i had this meter for a B&W film college course. i use the spot meter which i believe has a 1-5 degree zoom spot so that you can pin-point exactly where you want you exposure accurate. i have been nailing my exposures every time since switching from my in camera meter. which saves me butt loads of time in post.

I use a combo of spot and evaluative with the Mark III I love the custom function that lets me move my focus point with the joystick and I can have my spot metering move to the focal point I have selected. Works great when shooting into the sun and trying to get those cool blown out shots with a little fill flash.

Normally the * button would lock exposure and the half press of the shutter focuses. When you set the * button to focus, you are just switching these two functions, so the * button focuses and half pressing the shutter will lock exposure.

You probably never noticed it because you probably never half press with these switched.

Personally, I use the 10% of the center but thats just because of the lack of a spot meter in my camera. If I had a spot i'd use that, and I'm on manual exposure all the time.

If I was being lazy and switched to Av mode I'll switch to matrix metering and set the exposure compensation to +2/3 maybe, adjusting as necessary to make sure highlights aren't getting blown out, but I rarely do this.

+1.

I make sure the faces are correctly exposed with spot.

+2 for me and Nate

I bought the Canon Mk III for one reason only: spot meter attached to focus point. By far, my favorite feature EVER in a camera, and I use spot meter 100% of the time now.

I used to try to do spot meter (from the center point) and then recompose my shot, but I found it took me too long to do it.

Ksenia

On my D300 (and D200 as well) I focus with the back button and leave my camera in Matrix metering, however, I configured the spot meter to the FUNC button on the camera, so if there is a tricky lighting situation where I know that matrix will be fooled, I simply press the FUNC button and since on both cameras the spot follows the focus point, and that is what I use to focus, this way I get a good exposure on what I want.

I use the appropriate metering mode based on the situation.

Hi Melody,

Would you mind giving us a description of the situations that would lead you to choosing various metering modes?

Thanks!

I shoot in manual and spot meter