Metering Modes, Flash Metering | Minolta dimage7, Dimage 5 specs

RECORDING MODE

METERING MODES

	Multi-segment	An advanced metering system appropriate for
	Multi-segment	almost all photographic situations.
		almost all photographic situations.

		Averages luminance values from the entire
	Center weighted	image area with a bias toward the center of
		the image.
	Spot	For precise measurements of a small area dis-
	Spot	played on the monitors.
		played on the monitors.

The icons indicating the metering mode are displayed on the monitors only. Do not confuse these icons with the focus signals (p. 68). The metering mode is changed in the basic section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80). When center-weighted or spot metering is selected, pressing the shutter-release button partway down will activate the exposure system, but will not lock the exposure; the AF/AEL button must be used.

Multi-segment metering uses 300 segments (256 segments for the DiMAGE 5) to measure luminance and color. This data is combined with distance information to calculate the camera exposure. This advanced metering system will give accurate worry-free exposures in almost all situations.

Center-weighted metering is a traditional metering method in silver-halide cameras. The system measures light values over the entire image area with emphasis given the the central region of the scene.

Spot metering uses a small area within the image to calculate the exposure. When this mode is selected, a small circle will appear in the middle of the live image indicating the measuring area. The spot allows precise exposure measurements of a particular object without being influenced by extremely bright or dark areas within the scene.

Spot metering display

FLASH METERING

Two flash-metering methods are available: ADI and pre-flash TTL. The flash metering- mode can be changed in the basic section of the recording-mode menu (p. 80).

ADI flash metering - Advanced Distance Integration. This metering mode combines distance information from the autofocusing system with information from a pre-flash exposure. Unlike conventional TTL flash metering, ADI is not influenced by the reflectance of the subject or background ensuring optimum flash exposures.

Pre-flash TTL - calculates flash exposure with a pre-flash only. This mode must be used when using close-up filters or filters that reduce the amount of light entering the camera such as neutral density filters. Pre-flash TTL must be used when a diffuser is attached to the built-in flash or an external flash unit.

The camera will automatically switch from ADI metering to pre-flash TTL when a low- contrast subject is preventing the autofocus system from focusing. If the autofocus system cannot lock on the subject, press the AF/MF button and manually focus; the ADI metering will remain in effect.

This camera does not have a preset flash sync speed. When calculating the exposure in program (P) or aperture-priority (A) exposure mode, the shutter speed will not fall below the camera-shake limit (p. 15). When using shutter-priority (S) or manual (M) exposure mode, any shutter speed can be used in the exposure.

For a list of compatible Minolta accessory flash units and for information on accessory flash operation, see page 138. Because both flash modes use a pre-flash, slave controlled flash units cannot be used.