The meter measures the frequencies created by the CCD chip in the camera. The lens captures the image, and as the image becomes shaper and in focus the video output increase, the meter is calibrated to read and convert this signal to an alpha numeric output which is displayed on the meters LCD screen. As the image becomes focused the displayed number gets larger, once you over focus or peak out the number begins to decrease. As for the field of view, if the field of view changes obviously you will have to refocus the lens.