RE: [Leica] M6 metering question

["Jean-Claude Berger" <jcberger@jcberger.com>]

Joe wrote:

> If you had a clear sun behind you during the test, I would say that the
> Nikon meter is off.

Hello Joseph,

IMHO, I don't think so. In his first post, Simon told that he took a measure
against a white wall. The M6 gave 1/1000 at f/11 and a half. With a 400 ISO
film, this is an impossible value: but a specular reflect, nothing needs a EV18+
exposure. Let's say that Simon wants to have a white textured wall. He will have
to open 1 and a half to 2 stops depending on the density he wants to get. The
Nikon's matrix saw a large white area and opened one stop. The F5 was off, yes,
but because it did not open enough! This is consistent with the results I get
with my F5. He compensates underexposures of very bright area but a little less
(say half a stop) that I would like. That said, the lighmeter of the M6 is much
more predictible as it behaves like good old time lightmeters.

All the best,

- --
Jean-Claude Berger (jcberger@jcberger.com)
Systems and RDBMS consultant (MCSE)
Lyon, France
http://www.jcberger.com


> Simon,
> If you had a clear sun behind you during the test, I would say that the
> Nikon meter is off. However, you should try the Nikon in the average mode,
> and both cameras on the same shutter speed. That makes it easier to notice
> the degree of disparity.
>
> Joe
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Simon Lamb" <s_lamb@compuserve.com>
> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2000 10:39 AM
> Subject: Re: [Leica] M6 metering question
>
>
> > Joe
> >
> > I dod test against a grey card and the M6 meter indicated 500/sec at f/11
> and
> > the F5 320/sec at f/9.  As you say, I need to understand what the meter is
> > saying.  These results are not too far apart so I just need to know what
> the M6
> > will tell me in any given situation and interpret it for my own
> requirements.
> >
> > This camera really makes you think about your technique and what you want
> to
> > achieve - quite refreshing from the computer-aided pictures that I have
> taken
> > to-date.
> >
> > Simon
> >
> > Joe Codispoti wrote:
> >
> > > Simon,
> > >
> > > In most cases the meter reading rendered by any meter, is only a guide
> that
> > > requires interpretation.
> > > Be it a Nikon, Leica, or other camera/meter, you must know what it is
> > > indicating. This requires specific knowledge of the meter in question
> and
> > > how it reacts to what it sees.
> > > You will get different readings if you meter the shadow, highlight, or
> other
> > > density. But only one reading will give you the correct exposure.
> > > A spot meter will give a different reading than an average meter. A more
> > > pertinent test would be to check both against a gray card. The reading
> > > should be the same.
> > >
> > > Get to know your camera meter and how it works. Do so by testing with
> low
> > > ISO slide film. Take readings and photograph a variety of subjects in a
> > > variety of lighting/contrast situations. Take pertinent notes of each
> > > exposure. Evaluate the results.
> > > Only then will you know what your meter is trying to tell you. Then you
> will
> > > know where to aim the meter for the correct exposure.
> > >
> > > Joe Codispoti
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Simon Lamb" <s_lamb@compuserve.com>
> > > To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
> > > Sent: Saturday, May 06, 2000 8:46 AM
> > > Subject: [Leica] M6 metering question
> > >
> > > > Hi
> > > >
> > > > I have been using my M6 for a few days now and I have a question.  I
> > > > pointed the camera at a whitewashed textured wall, with ISO 400 Tri-X
> > > > loaded, a 50mm f/2 attached and with the film speed dial set to 400,
> and
> > > > the red dot appeared when the camera was set to a shutter speed of
> > > > 1000/sec at f/13 or f/14 (whatever the half stop between f/11 and f/16
> > > > is on the lens).  I pointed my Nikon F5 at the same spot on the same
> > > > wall using an ISO 400 speed and an 85mm f/1.8 lens and, using spot
> > > > metering (therefore switching off any colour metering capability), it
> > > > registered settings of 400/sec at f/10.
> > > >
> > > > There is a significant difference here and I wondered if anyone could
> > > > explain to me the reasons for the difference in metering and
> subsequent
> > > > camera set-up.  I have always trsuted the F5 meter and it has never
> been
> > > > anything other than spot on.  I am sure the M6 meter is equally
> > > > accurate.  However, given that I would probably want to dial in some
> > > > overexposure on the white wall to get the whiteness and texture on the
> > > > film, I do not have any f/stops or shutter speed left to enable me to
> > > > overexpose by 1 or 1.5 stops.
> > > >
> > > > Any explanations would be gratefully received.
> > > >
> > > > Regards.
> > > >
> > > > Simon
> > > >
> > > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>