Metering?

[c130lover]

Hello, I have been experimenting with different metering types for taking pictures of flying aircraft and still have not been able to find the best. The only one that has a slight advantage that I can see is spot metering. What is your favorite metering type?

[expat]

I tend to go for spot metering too. Matrix metering just underexposes the darker/underside of any aircraft in flight.

Matt

[c130lover]

Hmm, I don't have matrix. How well does partial metering work?

[expat]

Hmm, I don't have matrix. How well does partial metering work?

You don't have matrix and I don't have partial.............Looks like we need a third subscriber to this thread....

Matt

[Mictheslik]

They're all explained pretty well here - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metering_mode

Nikons have Matrix, Canons have partial. Not sure about anything else

If you're good at keeping the aircraft in the centre of the frame, and want the camera to meter to expose the aircraft then spot is the one for you. Personally, I normally use partial just in case I lose the aircraft off the centre.

I sometimes use centre-weighted average if I want to avoid blowing the sky out to achieve more detail on the aircraft and background

.mic

[jrom]

I, on the other hand, usually just keep it in manual.

I try to expose in such a way that I wont loose the shadows, and usually turn highlight priority on so I don't lose as much of the bright areas, in addition to shooting RAW + in a flatter picture style.

However, I havn't done too terribly much aircraft photography, so you should probably listen to Mich. 

[Rifleman]

I would think most cameras have Spot, Center Weighted, and Matrix.....at least mine does. The best option is to use a long enough lens to eliminate lots of the sky so it isn't a large factor in the metering at all, but if you don't have the lens, the best you can do is go spot and meter the reflected light from the subject. Unfortunately, you can't run alongside with a hand held meter and take an incident reading directly, of the general light falling on the subject. Ah the good old days of film and the unnecessary HDR needs of it.
Just checked my camera 'cause I was sure I had more options - I do - I also have the option of shooting Spot Metering with Highlight Bias, and one with Shadow Bias too......Lots of Metering options on my camera.....good old Tier Two equipment, but it gets me the shots for the most part.....just need a longer lens, but the Zuiko's are sooo damn expensive.