Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/01/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Mel, Reply with your snail-mail address, & I'll send you a xerox of my manual. One thing you may wish to check is the type of battery you're using. Since mercury is such a bad thing these days, most stores stock the silver-oxide replacement, which is 1.5v rather than 1.35v. Also, it's discharge rate is different than the mercury, which leads to exposure error. The silver-oxide are supposed to decay gradually, and the mercury oxide have a "cliff" effect, flat discharge, then sudden death. A few days ago, there was some discussion on the list regarding voltage regulation in meters. I have been told by a service tech that most older meters that use the PX13/625 type batteries _do_not_ have voltage regulation. The same tech said he could recalibrate the meter for silver oxide, but it would only be accurate mid-range. Very high or very low light levels would be off by as much as one stop. His suggestion was to calibrate for my typical shooting environment, and learn to compensate. Since the local photo shop stocks the VARTA and Eveready mercury oxide batteries (some judge decided that there wasn't enough mercury in them to cause harm, something about not enough Leica shooters left), I have not recalibrated. Another thing, the darn meter is so small, and the markings so Teutonicly precise, slight misalignment of ASA, f-stop and shutter speed can lead to errors. I find I've reached the age where I need my glasses to use the thing! As regards testing, my manual says the needle has to be on the dot. Even slightly below means replace battery. The manual also Germanicly instructs to use only Mallory PX625 and no others (and then admits that Mallory PX13s can be used at temperatures greater than 14F.) Best regrads, Pete (the kraut) Kramer Oklahoma City > Dear Leicafolk, > > I use a M4-2 to which I have added a black MR meter - the one with the > 90degree angle of view, light reading lever on top, battery check on front. > I use this kit mostly for available light "street" photography, with > 35/50/90mm lenses. > > The meter had no manual with it so I would be interested in getting info on > what manuals exist, or just your techniques for using the beast. > > Other equipment I use has eitier through-the-lens metering or is a digital > Pentax spotmeter. > > The leica MR seems to read between 1/3 to 1 stop less than both my Nikon S > photomic head and the Pentax. The battery check puts the pin over the white > dot on the scale, so I assume that this means the battery is good. > > I guess that one can expect some difference, given that its not TTL, but I > wonder what techniques you use? Also, if, how, and how often, you find you > need to calibrate the MR. > > Any advice appreciated! > > brgds > > Mel