hi i own a canon elan II (50), speedlite 420ex during photo taking, which one should i use? the evaluative or partial? coz in the evaluative one, canon elan II/50 only has 7 zones instead of 35 in elan 7(30), so in term of measuring the exposure, which one should be more accurate.....or which one should take a photo with a more vivid expposure? the partial or evaluative? under sunlight, when i use my 420ex speedlite, do i have to switch to FP for a better potrait photo with a bigger aperture or i just snap without flash?

thanks from a beginner in CANON

-- luicbee (luicbee@hotmail.com), December 30, 2001

Answers

If you are just going to point the camera and shoot, the evaluative meter pattern will be better, most of the time. The partial meter works better when there is a lot of contrast in a scene, such as some back lit subjects. Then put the partial meter on the area you want to look like a middle tone and press the "*" button (AEL) to lock in the exposure. The partial meter works very well, but is best used when you take your time & think about how you want the picture to look.

You don't have to use flash for outdoor photos, but it does brighten a back lit subject and it removes the harshness of shadows from some front lit subjects as well. Since you have a camera and flash that is capable of FP flash, I would turn it on and use it. You may find that it provides more flash to your pictures than you like. If you do set the FEC (Flash Exposure Compensation) to -0.5 or -1 & try it again.

-- Jim Strutz (j.strutz@gci.net), December 31, 2001.

I use evaluative with my IIE. For landscape I just let it do what it does and then adjust the shutter speed/aperature with the "P" setting. For close subjects, like a wedding, I set the exposure compensation for ambient light at -1 stop and then let the 430 I use hit full on. I get great catch lights in the eyes and good contrast that way The best way to figure it out for yourself is to practicesome different methods. You'll come up with what you like and what works for you. I use partial for high contrast scenes/subjects. I also use transparancies for testing because the exposure you set is accurate unlike print film where the people/machines adjust the film to a standard.

-- Victor (Catmanman@aol.com), December 31, 2001.

Hi

You want to learn more about Spot/Partial metering? Just read this book. "The Confused Photographer's Guide to On-Camera Spotmetering by Bahman Farzad, Linda Voychehovski (Editor), Ron Smith (Editor)". You can get it in stores like Amazon.com and costs you 20 US $. Here is the amazon.com link. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0966081706/ref=pd_bxgy_img_2/00 2-6023485-8788038

Good Luck!

-- George Mathew (george_mathew2k@yahoo.com), December 31, 2001.