Matrix Metering; Center-Weighted Metering - Nikon D5100 Experience Manual

Nikon D5100 Experience
actually use them in real life photo situations. The 420-pixel RGB metering sensor of the D5100
is part of a highly intelligent exposure metering system, and Matrix Metering Mode can be
counted on to determine the proper exposure for your images much of the time. But there are
situations you may want or need to use the other modes.
Figure 29- Metering Modes Menu

Matrix Metering

This is the default mode for your camera, and it can be used for almost every situation you shoot.
Maybe 90% of the time, maybe more. The camera evaluates the entire scene – the tones, color,
composition, and even subject distance – and chooses the best exposure based on its algorithms
and database of thousands of images. The metering system is so good it can even be relied on
for backlit or other challenging lighting situations. An important feature of this mode is that the
Nikon D5100 takes into account the selected or active focus point in its determination of
exposure settings. It assumes the active focus point is on your most important subject, so under
challenging and critical situations, it is wise to confirm that the camera has chosen the focus
point you want (well, this is always wise). Even better, as was previously discussed, you should
manually choose the focus point. So in extreme or unusual lighting situations, such as
dramatically back-lit scenes or a situation with bright lights plus deep shadows, you might not
want to use the center point to lock focus if you will be recomposing to take the final shot –
because the active focus point has moved away from your subject when you actually take the
shot and when the camera determines the exposure.

Center-Weighted Metering

This metering mode is sort of a cross between Matrix and Spot Metering (below). It
acknowledges that the subject is in the center and requires special metering attention and gives it
75% weight in determining the exposure, but it also takes into account all the other areas of the
scene (the center area that it uses is an 8mm circle). This mode is useful where there is a
dramatic difference in lighting between the foreground or subject and the background. For
example when your subject is backlit – maybe standing in front of a bright window or the sun –
and consequently their face is in shadow, or when a nicely lit subject is in front of a dark
background. I know I said Matrix Metering mode can often handle these types of situations, but
if you want the face or the subject to be properly exposed and not risk blowing the shot, it is
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