Exposure

Metering

Controls used

The metering method determines how the camera sets exposure. The following options are available when the mode dial is rotated to P, S, A, or M (matrix metering is used in other modes):

Method Description

Recommended in most situations. Camera meters a wide area of the frame

Matrixand instantly sets exposure according to distribution of brightness, color, dis- tance, and composition for natural results.

Center-weighted

Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to center area. Clas- sic meter for portraits.

Spot

Camera meters exposure in active focus area only (if Closest subject is selected for AF-area mode ( 24), camera will meter center focus area). Ensures that subject will be correctly exposed, even when background is much brighter or darker.

Metering

Metering is available with CPU lenses only. In matrix metering, exposure is set using a 420-pixel RGB sensor. Use a type G or D lens for results that include range information (3D color matrix metering II; 97). With other CPU lenses, 3D range information is not included (color matrix metering II).

CPU lenses can be identified by the presence of CPU contacts, type G and D lenses by a letter on the lens barrel. Type G lenses are not equipped with a lens aperture ring.

CPU lens

Type G lens

Type D lens

5—Metering ( 75)

Metering can also be selected from the Custom Settings menu.

Reference: P, S, A, and M Modes/Exposure

45

Page 57
Image 57
Nikon D40 manual Exposure, Method Description, Metering can also be selected from the Custom Settings menu