[dmx005]

Im considering buying a Canon 400D as a first DSLR and have read great reviews apart from a couple saying that because it doesnt have spot metering they would prefer the Nikon D80..

There is a big price difference between the 400D & the D80 so wondered how inportant you feel this feature is..? Will my life not be worth living if I dont have spot metering on the camera!?

[richard plumb]

if you need spot metering, don't buy the 400D. If you don't know if you need spot metering, buy the 400D

[dmx005]

Originally Posted by richard plumb

if you need spot metering, don't buy the 400D. If you don't know if you need spot metering, buy the 400D

lol, I dont know if I need it or not..
What I dont want tho is to spend a year using the 400D and then think, oh - wouldnt spot metering be handy..

[Liquid101]

You don't need it.

It can be useful in certain circumstances, but (without wishing to sound patronsing) if you don't know if you need it, you probably don't.

It's generally used when you're trying to calculate exposures in complex scenes to ensure your exposure is maximumising the dynamic range. It's also useful if you're a wedding photographer and you want to be sure you don't blow the highlight on a wedding dress.

However, these days, with the complex matrix metering available on most dSLR's you'll often get the 'best' exposure anyway. Coupled with the ability to read the histogram in seconds - you just don't need it.

My advice would be to choose the camera that fits the budget, has the features you know you'll need, and one which 'feels' the best.

[Yandros]

I use spot or centre weighted when I'm shooting a subject against a black or white background, but that's about all, and could be fixed manually if I'd used matrix.

Most of the D80 advantages are in the handling and build to be honest. There's quite a noticeable step up from the Nikon D40/Canon 400D, to the D80 in terms of feel (in my opinion at least). It's closer to the 40D/D200/D300 than to the entry level models.

Handle both cameras. If you don't see what the fuss is about with the D80 when you compare them, save yourself 100 quid and get the 400D - both cameras will do the job for you.

[simonblue]

I use spot metering quite a bit, but the 400d dose offer,5% metering,which,will do the job most of the time.

[TarMoo]

The D80 is a much better camera than the 400D. See 400D vs D80 and Sony A100

The Nikon D80 is arguably the best camera of the three. It beats the 400D / XTi and A100 in almost every respect, sporting superior design and build quality, the biggest, brightest viewfinder, more sophisticated AF, greater customisation and a secondary status screen which many will find easier to read in bright light. While some test results were very close, the D80 also resolved the greatest detail and many will prefer its handling of high ISO noise to the Canon.

One feature that I would use on the D80 is the build in wireless flash which allows you to use TTL metering with SB600 or SB800 flash units off camera.

[leaky5]

Originally Posted by rasputin

The D80 is a much better camera than the 400D. See 400D vs D80 and Sony A100



One feature that I would use on the D80 is the build in wireless flash which allows you to use TTL metering with SB600 or SB800 flash units off camera.

400D/D80/A100, That is not really a like for like comparison, if I had the budget I would have probably gone for a D80. But I did'nt, so I went for an a200. This does have spot metering and wireless flash if required and I am very pleased with it.

[Yandros]

Originally Posted by rasputin

The D80 is a much better camera than the 400D. See 400D vs D80 and Sony A100



One feature that I would use on the D80 is the build in wireless flash which allows you to use TTL metering with SB600 or SB800 flash units off camera.

Very good point. I keep forgetting to mention it, because I just take it for granted - same goes for the AF assist lamp.