Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/03/18
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Topher: I think what you are describing is called an extinction type lightmeter. It has ND filters of varying degrees and you pic the filter where you can just no longer see the subject through it. I guess it is probably as accurate as your eye is sensitive to light. They were probably designed on the average persons light sensitivity. As to where to get one, you may have to wait for a reply from the more knowledgeable on the list like Marc Small. Regards, Robert At 11:35 PM 3/18/99 +0800, you wrote: >hailing all camera historians......... > I read somewhere (quite a while ago, so I can't remember where) that for >awhile (ie before normal lightmeters) people where using some sort of small >prism device which you looked through and tried to match variably dark >numbers against the scene which you were photographing.....if my description >is good enough to understand, has anyone actually used one of these? Did >Leica make one? I understand they weren't particularly accurate, but they >would be better than nothing in situations where the "sunny 16" rule didn't >apply (indoors) and they would be a nice "retro" accessory for a IIIf or >something similar... > As for the sharpness debate, my opinion has always been if there is fine >detail that is important to the photograph, then you need sharpness.....if >detail is not important to the composition, then you don't! I'd say I need >it about 50% of the time; every photo's different.....but it's nice to have >it when you need it........... > Flame me, please....i love abuse..... > > topher > > > > >