Which metering mode do you shoot in?

[anoldsock]

I have been shooting with a DSLR (30D) for maybe a month now, so I'm a complete n00b. Although I spend a lot of time researching this subject, I'm still a bit stuck on which metering mode to choose. I understand the theory behind each metering mode (Evaluative, Partial, Spot, Center-Weighted) but I'm unsure when to apply each mode to real world scenarios.

From what I understand, Evaluative Metering should be used for evenly lit environments while Spot Metering is useful for high contrast and back lit environments, and it is also my understanding that Center-Weighted is the least accurate metering mode, is this correct?

I mainly shoot in Evaluative Mode, and appears to be the most accurate when exposing a scene. Would it be better to use partial metering more often, and spot metering in high contrast/backlit situations? What are your thoughts on this, and which metering mode do you often shoot in?

Any advice/help is much appreciated, thanks!

[darktiger]

For me it depends on the situation. I mostly shoot in Evaluative Mode or Spot. I would say 50-50.

[loudtiger]

M. The Rebel XTi's metering system is too inconsistent to use anything else.

[JohnT]

It depends on the situation, but I find myself shooting in Center-weighted mode quite a bit.

[engstrom]

Geez, when I shoot one of the auto modes it's usually evaluative about 75% of the time and spot about 25%. I also have found myself using exposure compensation more and more - you just have to get comfortable with what the camera is doing and how to control it.

[jeffkohn]

For landscape work, I use spot metering. For flash I usually use matrix metering. For wildlife/action I use either spot metering or center-weighted. More often than not I'm in manual exposure mode.