Re: Measuring exposure with Leica M6

[Chris Fortunko <fortunko@boulder.nist.gov>]

The metering on the M6 is really very unambiguous. It is more than OK for
most situations. However, there are times when I wish that I had a spot
meter. For example, when doing portraits. In those cases, the meters on the
M5 and SK are more useful. The spot meter is OK, but it is big (mine is an
analog Pentax) and defeats the whole idea of using a rangefinder Leica.

What I find ambiguous is too many choices. This is probably why I do not own
any of the more modern SLRs. What used to drive me nuts is that my various
meters did not agree. Now, they agree, because I have come up with my own
way of calibrating my meters. My M6, the most modern camera I own, is my
standard against which everything else is calibrated. (I use my light box as
a light source.)

I agree with Dan that the best way to use the M6 meter is to point it at
midtones. However, this creates a problem with slides, which have to be
exposed on highlights. (I don't do slides very often any more.)

Chris






At 01:58 PM 12/14/96 -0400, you wrote:
>At 07:09 PM 14-12-96 +0100, Nicolas wrote:
>>Hi, I am totally new to the M6 rangefinder way of working as before I had=
 a
>>Canon EOS which did everything or almost everything for me. It=B4s been 3
>>weeks and 8 rolls since I changed everything I had and got my Leica and=
 the
>>Summicron 50/2.=20
>>
>>I've experienced a lot of difficulty in measuring the expsure, as I was
>>totally used to precise spot metering with my former camera and now I find
>>it confusing to measure with such an ambiguous zone that depends on the
>>lens you have and the frame.
>>
>Its not really that ambiguous.  If you have a look at the shutter curtain
>(after you've wound the shutter), the white circle shows you exactly what
>part of the picture is being sensed by the meter.   Imagine that circle
>superimposed over the film itself.   I never worry about exactly where in
>the viewfinder the imaginary metering circle lies.  I just point the center
>of the viewfinder at something of a tonality that I can recognize, and=
 meter
>accordingly.  I find it to be very accurate.  I usually get more consistent
>exposures with my leica then with my auto everything Minoltas.
>
>Metering off the palm of the hand is also a very accurate way of metering,
>its just that I find that to be more practical with my Minolta 1=BA spot=
 meter
>(I always have problems with shadows etc when I try to get close in with my
>Leica).
>
>Dan C.. =20
>
>
>
>