RE: [Leica] Leica MC Meters

[Jem Kime <jem.kime@cwcom.net>]

Tony,
Sorry if it sounded like I was teaching you to suck eggs. I/we are happy to 
help with any more questions, good shooting. If you haven't already done 
so, you'd be wise to compare the measuring of the MC with another (trusted) 
meter from another camera or such. Being a few years old it might be down a 
stop or so.
regards,
Jem

- -----Original Message-----
From:	Tony Salce [SMTP:NadinaTony@bigpond.com]
Sent:	21 May 2000 01:11
To:	leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject:	Re: [Leica] Leica MC Meters

Hi Jem,

Thank you for your reply. I am aware that the Leica is a basic camera.
That's the reason I bought it. I'm aware it does not have any automation. 
My
reference to Aperture priority was because it appeared to me from the meter
that once you set the aperture the meter sets the required shutter speed.
That is you cannot alter it if you choose to select aperture first.
Conversely you can select the shutter speed first if that is important.

The purpose of this email was to clarify that notwithstanding my inability
to use the meter, I do know a little about photography(however with lots to
learn).

 Thanks again for your reply,

Best Wishes,

Tony Salce

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Jem Kime" <jem.kime@cwcom.net>
To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2000 3:03 AM
Subject: RE: [Leica] Leica MC Meters


> Tony,
> I hope this will help. It seems like you've arrived at the Leica Nirvana
> having travelled through the land of 'I'll hold your hand-land' of
cameras.
> The Leica is a basic camera, for all its expense and within that there is
> no aperture or shutter priority as there is no automation of the shutter
at
> all, YOU are in control of everything.
> I take it you found out how to set the ASA/DIN on the meter? Well after
> that you can choose to set the shutter speed, then take a reading and 
then
> transfer the aperture (opposite the needle) to the lens, OR, you can 
start
> with an aperture choice, match that aperture to the needle and voila!
> You'll have set the required shutter speed by doing that.
>
> The honeycomb light screen should be used for 'reflected' light readings
> which in general could be said to be when the sun is more or less behind
> you. Of course there are other factors to bear in mind, like if you point
> the meter at snow it will suggest a reading that translates it into a 
dark
> grey. Conversely, if you point it at a coal heap, it will suggest a
reading
> that presents a negative which prints grey rather than black. In essence
> the meter is only a tool and you have to be the person in control of the
> tool.
> The white plastic 'incident light' meter attachment is used when 
measuring
> the light falling onto the subject rather than being reflected off it. So
> after applying it to the meter you assume the position of your subject 
and
> point the camera/meter in the direction of where the picture will be 
taken
> from tilting it up to effectively measure the light falling from that
> direction rather than the background. This then allows you to measure the
> light falling onto the subject and then you follow the match needle 
antics
> as before. Of course this type of reading will not be swayed by different
> coloured backgrounds as much as before.
>
> Broadly, I would suggest that you go to any bookshop or library and start
> to read up the fundamentals of photography. You have a great camera, you
> owe it to yourself to invest some time in learning how to get the best 
out
> of it.
>
> Jem
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tony Salce [SMTP:NadinaTony@bigpond.com]
>
> Hello All,
>
> I've just
> purchased an M3 with an MC meter, which appears to work. I have no idea
how
> to use it. I have successfully been able to mount it, without scratching
> the
> top plate, but as to its actual usage, I'm a bit lost. It appears to me
> that
> you can only shoot in either an aperture priority or shutter priority
> mode.How do you know what aperture you ought set your lens to ?
>
> Also, I do not know whether the honeycomb type screen ought be fully
> exposed
> or do I put the "incident light" attachment that covers the honeycomb
> screen
> over it ? Furthermore there is another little "gadget" in the box that
came
> with the MC meter. A smallpiece of plastic with two black dots and a 
black
> line. Does anyone know what this is ?
>
> Your replies would be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Tony Salce