Spot metering.

Spot metering is the process of reading reflected light levels from a very small area, typically 1-3% of an image area.

Most high-end SLRs have internal spot meters, which are particularly important for users of the zone system of light metering. This type of metering is often indicated on cameras by a spot metering icon.

You can also purchase external spot meters. These are handheld devices with little sights through which you can peer and select areas to meter.

cf. centre-weighted averaging metering, evaluative metering, light meter, matrix metering, multi spot metering, partial metering, zone system.

Entry last updated 2002-04-20. Term 1157 of 1487.

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