Well, in a way, yes

Spot metering is very valuable... but (big but), you have to learn how to use it With spot metering you have to do a fair bit of brain work as well - you're using the camera's meter to measure the light levels on a tiny part of the image. Used correctly it gives excellent results, but takes a fair bit of time

If you're getting decent shots with matrix, then stick to that
Matt

Quick reply...

1) Matrix metering - mostly
2) Centre weighted - like the old days You point the centre of the viewfinder at what you want exposed correctly and take a reading (use the exposure lock button, or the green button in M mode)
3) Spot metering - useful for complex lighting situations. Allows you to measure the contrast range in a scene and decide what you want exposed "correctly". Normally used with fully manual mode.

Don't forget that all three modes will meter at mid-grey. So you still have to compensate for whites and blacks.

Personally, I find that shooting RAW and using matrix metering works 99% of the time The RAW file gives a good couple of stops lee-way to play with. If it's not matrix, then I'd use spot-metering for landscapes etc.

There's some pretty helpful guides around the net if you just Google for them!
Matt

Clarky,
If you buy multiple licenses from Eset it's a good idea to call them - they'll always increase the number of licenses for a good price We went from 5, to 11, to 25 - and it's incredibly cheap at that kind of quantity.

Additionally, it's the only anti-virus product I know that works quickly over a dial-up modem!

Matt

Because you can't enable the debug mode in anything but 1.10.
All versions above 1.10 require a USB connection to enable debug mode. v1.10 had the complicated-keypress-sequence to get there, so you could do it without a PC.

TBH, it's not difficult either way, and not a big problem. Focus adjustment took all of 10 minutes.

The fact that this became so widespread, and so necessary, it's little wonder that the K20D has it as part of the "friendly" menu system

Matt

You've combined two images that aren't properly aligned

Check out the peak of the tent - it's ghosted like mad. PM has also tried to resolve the differences between the two (or more) shots.

And the tone-mapping is waaay over for my liking. I've got some neat little Photoshop methods that will balance out contrast to achieve HDR-like subtle effects... must find time to document them!!
Matt

Then they'd be faster without them

It's definitely still the case with N & M, John. I see far too many PCs running them and "plain" users who notice a vast difference once changed. It's not just my geeky nature
Both Norton and McAfee used to be great products - in the dark days of DOS and Win 3.1 (I was a happy "hacker" with Norton Utilities 4!).

Still, each to their own. I'm pretty used to people ignoring my advice by now, so I don't lose too much sleep over it!

Matt

My eyes are terrible. So I use manual control of the camera's AF

* The shutter release button is set to NOT autofocus on half touch.
* I use centre focus all the time
* Pressing the AF button on the back engages autofocus.

That enables me to carefully select the focus point, but make use of the cameras accurate focus (especially when shooting at f/2.4 and wider). Kind of "auto-focus-on-demand".


Matt

Lilly,
Yes, you need protection for the PC. That said, I was once asked to help fix a laptop that had never had protection. Eset removed it all within 20 minutes - something like 29 active viruses. I've never seen such a clean removal of viruses before

You are also correct that there will be a conflict. You need to remove Norton (you won't regret it! :lol and then install the new software. Yes, AVG isn't bad, but Eset is much better - their "Eset Smart Security" is fully integrate anti-virus, anti-spyware, anti-spam, and firewall. We run nearly 30 machines in the office.

They give you 30 day trial - so you can start straightaway.

Your PC isn't running the web-site (or at least it shouldn't be :shock Your PC is used for creating the web-site and uploading it to the web hosting service, and nothing more (otherwise you'd always have to have your PC powered up and running!)

Matt

Something I'd definitely agree with
Matt

Just an additional point:
Make sure the aperture on the lens is set to the "A" position. Then everything will work just fine

(If you manually set the aperture on the lens then the same restrictions as working with an "M" series lens apply - you have to use stop-down-metering, and enable a custom function.)

Matt