Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/03/28

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Subject: Re: [Leica] M6 Meter Area
From: Jeff Alford <alford@batnet.com>
Date: Sat, 28 Mar 1998 18:51:28 -0800

Tom,

My understanding is that the meter sensitivity circle is 2/3 of the short
dimension of the frame lines. If I use my geometry (it's a little rusty!) I come
up with 23%.

Jeff Alford

TEAShea wrote:

> In Eastland's book, he twice states that the area covered by the M6 meter is
> 13% of the frame area.  The Leica instruction book says the area is 23%.
> Looking at the diagrams the area looks like the 23% figure is correct.  I
> wondered if Eastland's book simply contained the same typo - twice.
>
> In looking into this, I found that on page 9 of the special M6 edition of
> Leica Fotografie it states that the "area amounts to approximately 13% of the
> total image area."  What to think of that????
>
> On page 10, however, it provides further discussion.  It says that the 13%
> applies when the lens is focused at infinity.  When fosused at it closest
> setting, the area is 23%.  So, I guess both statments are true.
>
> For me, this actually seems like a good deal.  When I take more distant photos
> I am more likely to want to meter a smaller portion of the image area (just my
> style and what I like to shoot).  However, when focusing closer, I am more
> likely to want to meter a wider area.  Another Leica benefit.
>
> My question is why the area increased as the lens is focused closer ????
>
> Tom Shea