D7000 metering


Fezqu

Member
May 9, 2011
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Hi guys. Have a issue with my d7000 metering. I realised when selecting AF point from the single AF mode, dynamic 9, dynamic 21 and dynamic 39 mode. The camera meters where the point is selected in the frame using matrix metering mode. 3D and auto do not meter where the AF point is.

Example, when I move the AF point to a Person's face, the meter says its over expose. So I follow the meter reading and the image turn out too dark.

If I move the AF point to the hair or maybe the dark clothes the person is wearing. The meter says its too under exposure and the image turn out over exposure.

I'm using matrix metering and it should be measuring the whole scene instead on the AF point right? Unless I'm using center weight or spot.

I look through the manual and google it as well. No result on this. I wanna know whether I can disable it or is there way to make it work. I don't wanna use auto AF mode.
 

Fezqu said:
Hi guys. Have a issue with my d7000 metering. I realised when selecting AF point from the single AF mode, dynamic 9, dynamic 21 and dynamic 39 mode. The camera meters where the point is selected in the frame using matrix metering mode. 3D and auto do not meter where the AF point is.

Example, when I move the AF point to a Person's face, the meter says its over expose. So I follow the meter reading and the image turn out too dark.

If I move the AF point to the hair or maybe the dark clothes the person is wearing. The meter says its too under exposure and the image turn out over exposure.

I'm using matrix metering and it should be measuring the whole scene instead on the AF point right? Unless I'm using center weight or spot.

I look through the manual and google it as well. No result on this. I wanna know whether I can disable it or is there way to make it work. I don't wanna use auto AF mode.

Matrix metering on the D7000 measures 2016 points from the scene and compares it against a database of over 30,000 per-stored scenes the using color, contrast, and distance decides on the exposure. Still it is a guess.

If there is a particular area in the scene you want to exposure correctly, then meter there and lock the exposure. Alternatively, visualize your scene in grey scale, then look for the part that is about 40% grey, and point your camera there and use area (or spot even) to meter, lock exposure (i suggest you preset the AE/AL button to "AE lock only" via the setting menu), then recompose, focus and shoot. Lighting conditions change much less rapidly then focus (especially if subject moves).

The one thing that I always kick myself is that after the whole thing I will forget to reset and my next few shots will be junk.
 

By the way my D7000 always tend to over exposure by 2/3 stops. So I always compensate for it.
 

In Single point AF, Nikon's matrix metering will give quite a bit of consideration to the area where the AF point is, when doing the calculations for metering. This is part of the algorithm. Their logic: If you want that thing to be in focus, you must care about the exposure. Which make sense to me.
 

Hi guys. Have a issue with my d7000 metering. I realised when selecting AF point from the single AF mode, dynamic 9, dynamic 21 and dynamic 39 mode. The camera meters where the point is selected in the frame using matrix metering mode. 3D and auto do not meter where the AF point is.

Example, when I move the AF point to a Person's face, the meter says its over expose. So I follow the meter reading and the image turn out too dark.

If I move the AF point to the hair or maybe the dark clothes the person is wearing. The meter says its too under exposure and the image turn out over exposure.

I'm using matrix metering and it should be measuring the whole scene instead on the AF point right? Unless I'm using center weight or spot.

I look through the manual and google it as well. No result on this. I wanna know whether I can disable it or is there way to make it work. I don't wanna use auto AF mode.

Maybe I'm wrong, isn't that AF & metering are two complete different things? Your issue is on metering, nothing to do with focus mode, right?
 

In Single point AF, Nikon's matrix metering will give quite a bit of consideration to the area where the AF point is, when doing the calculations for metering. This is part of the algorithm. Their logic: If you want that thing to be in focus, you must care about the exposure. Which make sense to me.

Bro daredevil123, maybe due to Nikon giving some weight to the focus point. My images sometimes turn out under/over exposure. It seems logical. But than, why they included spot and center weight when matrix does about the same?
 

Maybe I'm wrong, isn't that AF & metering are two complete different things? Your issue is on metering, nothing to do with focus mode, right?

Hi bro, it seems that Nikon place some sensitivity on the focus point.
 

Fezqu said:
Bro daredevil123, maybe due to Nikon giving some weight to the focus point. My images sometimes turn out under/over exposure. It seems logical. But than, why they included spot and center weight when matrix does about the same?

Not the same. Spot is strictly on AF point, no compensation in regards to other factors. Same for center weighted.

Matrix will still evaluate the whole scene and place some weight on AF points but not totally. The easy way to see the differences, is to mount your cam on a tripod on a static scene (preferably with some high lighting contrasts in the scene) and shoot in all three modes and see the results. Best way to learn.
 

Not the same. Spot is strictly on AF point, no compensation in regards to other factors. Same for center weighted.

Matrix will still evaluate the whole scene and place some weight on AF points but not totally. The easy way to see the differences, is to mount your cam on a tripod on a static scene (preferably with some high lighting contrasts in the scene) and shoot in all three modes and see the results. Best way to learn.

Thanks bro, I guess the issue I am having is when indoors. I will sure try out the modes.