SLR Meters vs. Hand Held Meters

[Andre Reinders]

I also have tried to follow the advice to keep the histogram to the right.
 
I also note that one of my first Post Processing tasks is usually to open levels and put the middle slider to the right - about .85 - it add a little contrast , and darkens the photo a bit...
 
Maybe I will try a test and stop snugging the histogram to the right side.

[Santiago Montenegro]

I don't even know what a histogram is-I am that digitally dumb. But after the first frustrating 20 minutes with my (now Gaby's) dRebel, I concluded that the meter wanted me to overexpose by 1.5-2 stops, depending on circunstance. So I compensate, and now I even use it as a handheld meter for my film cameras- underexpose about 1.5 stops and I know I will be there, or pretty darn close.

[Kin Lau]

In-camera meters are definitely not equal. My 1D's both meter quite differently from the 20D, XT & XTi. The 1D's, even the old 1D classic is often very accurate. The biggest problem comes from me trying to shoot flying birds. That's when I often will meter off the grass or roadway (my arm is not long enough to meter my palm). Occasionally, I'll also carry an incident meter, but as my shooting is often with long tele's, that isn't always practical.

[Alan Gage]

That's when I often will meter off the grass or roadway (my arm is not long enough to meter my palm).

Your hand doesn't have to be in focus to meter on it so I wouldn't think it would matter how long your arms were.

Alan

[Kin Lau]

Your hand doesn't have to be in focus to meter on it so I wouldn't think it would matter how long your arms were.

Alan

You think my arm is long enough for my hand to be evenly lit when I'm holding a 500mm lens + hood ... one-handed no less