Re: [Leica] M6 metering question

["Joe Codispoti" <joecodi@thegrid.net>]

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
> > >
> > >
>
>
>
>