Nikon D3X - Manual (Page 136)

110
Z
Metering
Metering determines how the camera sets exposure. The
following options are available:
Method Description
a
3D color
matrix II
Recommended in most situations. Camera meters a wide
area of the frame and sets exposure according to distribution
of brightness, color, distance, and composition for natural
results.
Z
Center-
weighted
Camera meters entire frame but
assigns greatest weight to area in
center of frame (defaults to 12-mm
circle in center of viewfinder; if CPU
lens is attached, area can be selected
using Custom Setting b5, [Center-
weighted area], pg. 316
1 ). Classic
meter for portraits. 2
b
Spot
Camera meters circle 4 mm (0.16 in.) in
diameter (approximately 1.5% of
frame). Circle is centered on current
focus point, making it possible to
meter off-center subjects (if non-CPU
lens is used or if auto-area AF is in
effect (pg. 76), camera will meter
center focus point). Ensures that
subject will be correctly exposed, even
when background is much brighter or darker.
2
1 When non-CPU lens is attached, average for entire frame will be used if
[Average] is selected for Custom Setting b5; otherwise, center-weighted
metering for non-CPU lenses will use 12-mm circle in center of viewfinder,
regardless of setting selected for [Non-CPU lens data].
2 For improved precision with non-CPU lenses, specify lens focal length and
maximum aperture in [Non-CPU lens data] menu (pg. 218).
3 Metered area is not actually displayed in viewfinder.
Center weight area 3
Spot metering area 3