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That means that the tips on using spot metering that you can read in many books are simply outdated (or for bad cameras only ) .

Hibiscus. Hi. Oh, nice one!!! I'm sure the whole spotmetering thing works... It's just that I've never used it, and never felt the need to. In the end, like so much in photography, if it works for you then go for it. For me, I use the evaluative mode and adjust the compensation when and if I need to.

Neither do i
Used it doing Macro on mushrooms etc in the forests
But was indeed during the velvia days
Believe that in todays age with photoshop etc the software replaced the spot metering.
But still know people doing different meterings and using a average.
But this on landscapes.

Yeah, you are right. Thinking about it - I used the spot metering quite often in the slides days. But nowadays I rarely ever do. Sometimes with difficult situations (sunsets, backlight etc.) The camera (D300 by the way) is so much better at the guessing and averaging than I am

Actually, spotmetering is one of the things I miss most on my 20D... It's a (relatively) old camera, but I'm used to checking metering for dark and light spots. Like white and dark feathers on a bird. And doing that saved me some photos I think...

Oh! That brings me to another question! Almost forgot about it...
You do a lot of portrait photography, and I have a huge problem with it. Coloured people!
I don't really enjoy making photo's of people, wildlife and landscapes are more my forte, but sometimes have to...
Now any camera will try to expose to 18% gray, how do you get a black face/body with a lighter background good in one go?
Do you underexpose a stop or two or...

It is a pity that this thread has died !!!!!

Could be that he is on a assignment working
Will ask him

Unfortunately with my Nikon D90 I can only use high-speed flash sync in manual mode. With Aperture (or shutter) priority it limits me at 1/60s.

I usually don't shoot in RAW. I do have lightroom 2 though. I used to prefer CS3 but now I see the value in LR because it saves so much time. I hate processing for hours upon hours. When I come back from holiday, everyone asks to see my pictures, but I have to tell them "not ready yet!"

I'd like to learn to use RAW though because I understand its value. I just haven't been ready to take that step yet because I feel its going to cause me to do even MORE processing. In fact, I'd have to process each and every picture.

I actually enjoy processing photos a bit, but sometimes it becomes a chore. Especially when you have to process every shot. You can just pull out your memory card and stick it in your friends computer and look at the pictures.

PS: can someone tell me more about the Winbad/Windbag? I guess my google skills aren't up to par- I can't find it!

RAW Processing is the way to go.
Spot metering is for some situations, AV is best for most situations with some exposure compensation for different scenarios. Some like Manual, but this is for those that think quickly on their feet and know what the camera's lying to them about.

Rob

Don't forget that with similar photos you can copy & paste settings. So if you held down the button while on highspeed, or just making a series over time, edit one, and copy all you did to the rest.
That saves a lot of time!

http://verygoods.co.za/windbag_pro.html

Check to see if your camera can take both RAW and JPG at the same time. That way you can quickly show your friends the JPGs amd work on the RAW in your own time !