Re: [Leica] Consistent underexposure problem

[Godfrey DiGiorgi <ramarren@bayarea.net>]

Anthony,

A small point: I'm not so familiar with the Nikon F5 specifics but I seem 
to recall the spot circle on the F5 focusing screens being 4mm in 
diameter. That's closer to about 3% of the image area. The Leica M6 meter 
integrates it's reading from an approximate 12mm central spot so it's 
about 13% of the image area. 

Yes, the size of the integration spot does differ by quite a bit, but in 
either case if you can recognize what to meter and how to evaluate the 
reading properly, you'll be able to adjust the exposure to obtain good 
results. 

Of course, the type of meter is less important than how you use it. My 
preference for the incident meter is due to the fact that I find it 
easier to use and I've gotten better results with it, in general, 
probably because I'm too lazy to do the detailed analysis that a true 1 
degree spot meter requires for best results. 

>> True. However, I find I keep using the incident meter
>> for flash setups and for tricky lighting when it's difficult
>> to find the correct exposure.
>
>Indoors or outdoors?

Both. In my Heliar vs Hologon test work, I was quite interested to find 
that the Sekonic L328F incident meter gave me a better exposure baseline 
than either of the Leica CL and Contax G2 meters with these extremely 
broad coverage lenses. The Leica's TTL central spot reading and the 
Contax' centerweighted external meter sensor were simply influenced by 
too much at the edges of the subject area to provide a proper exposure 
without some additional evaluation. The incident meter provided exactly 
the correct exposure on the baseline for the scene. 

I'll carry my incident meter a little more frequently now that I am 
reminded where the built-in meters are fallible.

>> And for testing equipment.
>
>You really like to test equipment, don't you?

Only once in a while. The Hologon vs Heliar comparison has been an 
interesting diversion, and I do like to test any new equipment I buy to 
see that it performs up to my expectations. In use, if I suspect a 
problem with any piece of equipment, I test it out immediately. As a 
result, I'm rarely caught out when I'm work with anything in the field 
doing "real" work and I can have great confidence in the reliability of 
my equipment.

Godfrey