Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/09/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> >Date: Sat, 18 Sep 1999 11:54:27 +0200 >From: "Anthony Atkielski" <anthony@atkielski.com> >Subject: Re: [Leica] Consistent underexposure problem > snip >If the camera is defective, I should just throw it away. I only get shafted >like that once, and then I write off the vendor as a crook. > >> In the meanwhile, you can adjust the ASA setting to >> compensate for the error and go take some more pictures >> to see if that solves your problem. > >I considered that, but I felt that changing the ISO rating would be >cheating. I >should be able to get things right with the meter set correctly. > >> Presuming that the M6 meter is properly calibrated ... > >Is this not a safe presumption? Do M6 cameras often have meter problems? > >> Take a light reading with the incident meter, then try >> metering the scene with the M6. > >Looks like I'm going to have to buy a meter. Which brand is a good brand? Why >an incident meter and not a spot meter? I usually take pictures of things that >are relatively far away (landscapes, buildings) and an incident meter might not >be very practical, unless it can be both incident and spot, somehow. > > -- Anthony > Anthony- Don't be an idiot- EVERYTHING in life has an occasional defect or miscalibration! Do you mean if you bought a car and it didn't start one morning, you'd throw it away and never buy the same manufacturer!? And you don't have to go out and buy a meter, borrow one from another photographer... In certain lighting conditions the M's meter will be fooled- *you* have to learn when that happens and how to correct for it. Example- I'm shooting a bride and groom in front of a window- I aim the camera at their feet to get a reading of the shadows- 'cause if I just aim at them, the window will give me a reading that will underexpose their faces by about 2 stops! Fine if I want a silohuette (sp?)- but one must know the limitations of the camera's meter. M6's don't "often" have meter problems, but yours might have one. That's why you have a warranty. Yes, it can be frustrating. But don't kill the messenger! Once you've gotten used to the M, you'll probably love it! Or not. Rangefinder camera systems aren't for everyone..... Bob Keene