Nikon D3 - Manual (Page 140)

114
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. 315
* ). Classic meter for
portraits. †
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.
†
* 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].
† For improved precision with non-CPU lenses, specify lens focal length and
maximum aperture in [Non-CPU lens data] menu (pg. 220).
Center weight area
Spot metering area