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<blockquote data-quote="WayneF" data-source="post: 194806" data-attributes="member: 12496">I'm hesitant to say anything, because 1) I don't know about your case, and 2) it's hard to argue with what works, and 3) you're clearly working hard at it, giving it some thought. But a couple of facts are these:Matrix vs Center metering is more about ambient than flash. Their results are more alike than not, usually hard to detect much difference. But the flash system (in camera) has its own metering, not Matrix and not Center, and is more like a smaller center zone.&nbsp; Not Spot, but not large (Spot metering is something entirely different, but also about ambient).I like Center metering more myself, just what I'm used to, but it really is more about the ambient.Regardless, it is the camera that does the metering, and&nbsp; it comes up with an exposure requirement for the flash.&nbsp; It simply programs the TTL power level into the flash, and all the TTL flash has to do is to comply,&nbsp; and flash accurately and consistently.&nbsp; If you are getting different results for the same picture (a few seconds apart, waiting for the Ready LED each time), that would not sound consistent.&nbsp; It would seem a warning sign if the flash is acting erratically, different than the SB-700.You said bounce once, so I assume these are indoor pictures?&nbsp; What is your ISO level?&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; If is Auto ISO, then indoors, the poor flash system will discover it is always working into high ISO, and competing with the room lights, and could explain overexposure.&nbsp;&nbsp; You might try ISO 100 with direct flash (maybe ISO 400 for bounce).&nbsp; Then in relatively dim ambient indoors, the ambient will be far down at ISO 100 (out of consideration), and it really won't matter if Matrix or Center..</blockquote>

[QUOTE="WayneF, post: 194806, member: 12496"] I'm hesitant to say anything, because 1) I don't know about your case, and 2) it's hard to argue with what works, and 3) you're clearly working hard at it, giving it some thought. But a couple of facts are these: Matrix vs Center metering is more about ambient than flash. Their results are more alike than not, usually hard to detect much difference. But the flash system (in camera) has its own metering, not Matrix and not Center, and is more like a smaller center zone. Not Spot, but not large (Spot metering is something entirely different, but also about ambient). I like Center metering more myself, just what I'm used to, but it really is more about the ambient. Regardless, it is the camera that does the metering, and it comes up with an exposure requirement for the flash. It simply programs the TTL power level into the flash, and all the TTL flash has to do is to comply, and flash accurately and consistently. If you are getting different results for the same picture (a few seconds apart, waiting for the Ready LED each time), that would not sound consistent. It would seem a warning sign if the flash is acting erratically, different than the SB-700. You said bounce once, so I assume these are indoor pictures? What is your ISO level? If is Auto ISO, then indoors, the poor flash system will discover it is always working into high ISO, and competing with the room lights, and could explain overexposure. You might try ISO 100 with direct flash (maybe ISO 400 for bounce). Then in relatively dim ambient indoors, the ambient will be far down at ISO 100 (out of consideration), and it really won't matter if Matrix or Center.. [/QUOTE]

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