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Summary: The Complete Idiot's Guide to On-Camera Spotmetering
Review: (Note: I'd rate this book 3 1/2 stars, but can't give half stars on Amazon.)
A good basic introduction to zone system concepts and on-camera partial- and spot-metering. Perhaps *too* basic - the author insists on running very simple concepts into the ground and providing lots of charts and analogies in case you still don't get it. At one point, he even spends a whole paragraph discussing 'percentage', as Farzad assumes his audience is not mathematically literate enough to understand what 18% means!
The first chapter takes about 80 pages to discuss what could have been covered in 8. If you're a slow learner (or just plain dense), this might be useful, but for other readers, especially those with some photographic experience, I recommend simply skimming through the first part. The last couple chapters and appendixes are more useful, covering topics such as subject and film contrast ranges, tips for photographing under different lighting situations, the relationship between tonality and detail, plus a useful appendix on how to use Photoshop or similar programs to test whether your digital camera is exposing consistently as exposure is stopped up or down.
It should be noted that this book is oriented toward black-and-white photography, though with some explanation of how to use tonality concepts in color photography. "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson (another flawed introduction to exposure) might make a good companion to this book, especially if you are going to shoot in color.
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Summary: "Hits the Spot" dead-on: timeless tips for film or digital
Review: A superb timeless monograph on exposure and in-camera metering of reflected light - equally valuable to analog or digital photographers. Written in very readable style, and profusely illustrated with line drawings that bring the message home - if you don't get it the first time, keep on reading. The author discusses not only metering, but also explains in easy-to-understand words and diagrams the concepts of aperture and shutter speed (sorry, 'exposure time'). Included are five very helpful full-page reproductions of varying tones of gray from white to black to test the responsiveness of your camera's light metering system. Spotmetering is a simplification of the traditional "zone system" that makes a lot of sense to the average user. Not the least, should you not wish to plow through over 100 pages, a one-page summary on the opening page gets you started; or, turn to the appendix where popular cameras are shown, each with its own page of model-specific instructions.[A camera exporter like Pentax ought to contract Farzad to translate their camera user manuals from Japlish into plain unambiguous English.] This is the thoroughbred of one-pony camera shows; well worth the modest price, and a rewarding evening's read.
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Summary: THIS BOOK IS A MUST READ!
Review: Bahman Farzad is a marvelous teacher. If he can teach me he can teach anyone. I have been taking photos for 20 years and never knew how to do it correctly. I bought high end cameras and used them in Programmed Auto mode. I went digital a few years ago and did the same thing....Programmed Auto. I recently purchased a Nikon 5700 and have been stuggling with it. I was ready to give up. Then someone told me about this book. It has made all the difference imaginable. I had to reread some but finally the "lights went on". For taking digital or film photographs this is a book that everyone who picks up a camera should read. Actually I bought both of his books and don't regret it for a moment.You can have all the camera technology money can buy but if you don't know the basics.......why bother. Don't get me wrong...I am not Ansel Adams. But I do know how to take photos in Manual mode, spot meter and make correct exposure decisions all because I read these books.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much paper for too little concept
Review: I know spot metering is becoming a luxury in many consumer grade cameras and only true hobbyist would acknowledge its value in existence. However, this book simply uses too much real estate to decribe a concept that could have concisely decribed in half of the space provided. There isn't enough color examples to illustrate how to take readings in real life situations. A substantial section to describe individual camera operation is not that useful since it duplicates what should have provided from the owner manual of the camera.
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Summary: A must for the amateur
Review: I recently bought a Nikon N70. It is the first camera I've purchased in 22 years. Soon, however, I was surfing the web looking for simple and logical instructions to improve my exposure skills. This search ended at Amazon.com with the only book I found written about on-camera spotmetering. I am impress with this book. Instead of just listing robotic like steps that come with any camera's manual, it tells me why I need to override my spotmeter's readings in order to get a correctly exposed image. Also, I like its simplicity and one-page cheat sheet for my N70 (as well as other popular cameras). I am in the high tech business,and I like to know why and how things work. Thanks to this book and the spotmetering of my N70, I am in control of my exposures and am able to analyze my subject, interpret the spotmeter readings, take one picture and walk away knowing that I have captured the image that I wanted.
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Summary: Excellent Book on Spot Metering.
Review: If you want to learn manual exposure and spot metering the simpler way, this is the book to get. None of the boring stuff good for both digital and film cameras.
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Summary: Spotmetering Explained
Review: If your camera has a spot meter and the accompanying user guide offers little or no explanation of its use, this book is for you.
Finally the concept is explained. Mr. Farzad's simple, down to earth explanation of the camera's spot metering capabilities along with copious diagrams, drawings and examples make this book a must have for anyone who wants to take their photographing skills to the next level.
Rating: 
Summary: Spotmeter, yes. Zone System, no.
Review: The information in this book would be a good 5 page appendix to some camera manuals. I used to cover it in about 30 minutes of class when I taught. While this book is obviously useful for many people who are totally new to photography, it is not a view of the simplified zone system as it says. People who learned that they have a spotmeter from this book will need to read a lot more for any understanding of the real zone system. The zone system can only be practiced with a combination of exposure and development. It is not child's play. The basic message is correct. You haven't a prayer of knowing what your black and white picture will look like unless you are already an expert or turn off the automatic exposure gizmos and get to know your subjects through a spot meter. Color is another matter, of course, and the vast majority of people make color pictures.
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Summary: An Excellent Primer on Achieving Accurate Exposure
Review: The Problem: How to get your camera to accurately expose for scenes of widely varying colors and contrast when your camera's built in meter can only see the world as 18% Gray? The Answer: Read this book!! In one bold stroke (one brief, lucid book) Mr. Farzad has completely de-mystified the technique of achieving proper exposure on color slide (and negative) film. His explanations are quite clear and simply presented without sacrificing the more subtle aspects of the "art" of exposure control. The book clearly explains the power and limitations of the on-camera spotmeter, basically teaching you how the meter "sees" the world. Once armed with this knowledge it is an easy step to then understand the proper use of exposure compensation in order to produce the kind of pictures that you want. Reading the book is like having a private lesson from the kind of teacher who can make even the most complex subject seem utterly simple. I particularly liked the analogies and graphics that he used to reinforce the concepts. The book can be easily read in a few hours and they are hours well spent. In addition, the book contains appendices with additional more advanced material (if desired) as well as exposure "cheat sheets" for most of todays available 35mm SLR's. In my opinion, reading this book is the quickest and cheapest path to improving your images. It should be the first book you read after the camera manual.
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Summary: THE BEST SO FAR!
Review: This book covers all of the important aspects of metering. You will understand what your camera is telling you. The Author approaches the subject from differant angles. Each person that reads the book will fully understand the concepts and will remember them in the field when it is important. As for the price of the book. Its worth every penny!
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