[Leica] Canon non-linear metering

[imagist3 at mac.com (George Lottermoser)]

No idea what the differences may exist between a Rebel and 5D Aram.
Given the difference in price I'd imagine that differences exist in
metering, electronics, mechanics, automation, and computing.

Before posting my experience earlier today
I simply put a 50 Summicron on the 5D and shot a scene in my office;
I stopped down in one stop increments and re-centered the meter needle as I 
stopped down.
Exposure, for all intent and purpose, remained consistent until f:8;
at f:8 the 5D overexposed by 1/2 (maybe 3/4) of a stop;
and then remained consistent again through f:16.

This seemed about as I remembered things from past experience with various R 
lenses.
Though I did not test any other lenses today (nor will I in the future).
So my experience is simply anecdotal to my 5D and my 50 R Summicron today;
others may have different experiences with their specific gear.

For me Canon simply is not a workable solution with R lenses:
1) Small, dim focusing screen remains the most serious impediment;
with
2) lack of auto diaphragm a close second;
and
3) the metering a distant third.

In the digital world the R8 or 9/DMR remains the most useful and elegant 
solution
for the use of R lenses. The system simply works so beautifully;
without need of any compromise of how the system was designed.
(Same can be said for the use of 35mm film - as Brad Pitt well knows ;~)

Likewise the Canon 5D works quite well enough with its 24-70 L and 70-200 L 
lenses;
without need for any compromise of how the system was designed.

For me the two systems do not work nearly as well when interchanging their 
components.

YMMV

Regards,
George Lottermoser 
george at imagist.com
http://www.imagist.com
http://www.imagist.com/blog
http://www.linkedin.com/in/imagist





On Nov 18, 2010, at 4:46 PM, Aram Langhans wrote:

> George.  Not true, at least on a Rebel.  I would get the same results in 
> manual meter mode as I get in Aperture priority.  If in manual mode I zero 
> the meter reading in, it will still overexpose beyond f-4.  No difference. 
> I'll do it and post results.
> 
> My workflow consists of metering wide open in manual mode, then, if I stop 
> down, say 4 stops, I need to turn the shutter to 4 stops lower and ignore 
> the meter.  It will NOT be zeroed in.  I will read close to 2 stops 
> underexposed, yet the photo will turn out correctly exposed.
> 
> I have used a few other brands of Canon cameras, up to and including a 7D 
> and it behaves the same way as my Rebel.  I have not used a full frame 
> Canon, but I find it hard to believe that it also will not behave the same 
> way, but I take your word for it.