| Other than the ECF feature, there
is no obvious difference between the EOS 30 and EOS 33 models as both have almost
similar functions. Use of the various AE shooting modes, E-TTL flash and PIC variations
as well as Manual Exposure is more or less the same as the EOS 33 and there is no
need to rephrase any of them in this issue except where necessary. What the EOS users and other photo enthusiasts are keen to know of the EOS 30 is the performance of its ECF feature in actual assignments, especially in tracking fast-moving subjects. As promised at the end of the field-test article on the EOS 33, this review on the EOS 30 is more in-depth than the former. The 35-zone Evaluative metering is further enhanced with the EOS 30's ECF feature - on the EOS 300 and EOS 33, the automatic AF selection accomplished by these models may not necessarily be the best option to relay back precise exposure measurements. With the EOS 30, using one's eye to activate the right AF point will result in a more accurate assessment of the exposure required. Having said that, the EOS 30's Evaluative metering may not necessarily give you the desired result if you don't know what you are measuring. A photographer who has experience with complex exposure metering will apply his skills to situations where both overexposure and underexposure are very likely to occur. This high contrast scene of a semi-transparent gate shutter against the backlit background was metered using the 35-zone Evaluative metering by first taking a reading on the shadow areas and then on the highlight. The difference was 2.5-stops between the two areas. To get the exposure right, I had to get an intermediate reading (camera was in set P mode), which is at least one stop less than the shadow areas. Theoretically, this should overexpose the highlight, right? Nope, it doesn't. The meter reading on the shadow area was wrong since dark subjects usually mislead any camera towards overexposing, and losing the details altogether. The intermediate setting resulted in this image shown below.
The photo of the near-abstract image was easier. The EOS 30 was aimed more towards the green roof, exposure reading locked, recomposing and shooting. As for the abstract of the rally car, it was accomplished by aiming, AF and shooting. The same went for the muddy wheel shot. And these four photos below are further examples in the versatility of the EOS 30's 35-zone system.
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