Nikon D3X D3X User's Manual - Page 136

Metering Metering determines how the camera sets exposure. The following options are available: Method Description a Recommended in most situations. Camera meters a wide 3D color matrix II area of the frame and sets exposure according to distribution of brightness, color, distance, and composition for natural results. Camera meters entire frame but assigns greatest weight to area in Z center of frame (defaults to 12-mm Centerweighted circle in center of viewfinder; if CPU lens is attached, area can be selected using Custom Setting b5, [Center- Z weighted area], pg. 316 1). Classic Center weight area 3 meter for portraits. 2 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 b meter off-center subjects (if non-CPU Spot lens is used or if auto-area AF is in effect (pg. 76), camera will meter Spot metering area 3 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. 110