Automatic on 35 SPn - a question

[pedda]

Hi!
I have a question about the automatic mode on the 35 SPn. I dial in A on the aperture wheel, and then select my speed, the camera then automatically sets the aperture. If it is too dark for f/1.7 - should my camera then lock the shutter so that i cant fire?

Pieter

[zuikologist]

From memory, the SP only works in full auto or program mode. The camera will lock up outside the auto operating range.

[stratcat]

Indeed, no aperture or shutter priority modes in the SPn, only program mode. You set the aperture ring to A and then line up the notch or opening in the shutter speed ring. Another red 'A' will show in the notch and you're set for AE.

More here and here.

[pedda]

Ok, there is the full auto mode, but when i have the aperture ring on A and select a speed the aperture is also changed.

So, i have the aperture ring on A, i load and shoot on 1/500, the shutter opens wide open, pointed at the same scene I load and shoot on 1/60 then the shutter opens to f/8, it also reacts when i change the ISO dial. I load and shoot on 1/500 on ISO 50 and the shutter opens wide open, I load and shoot on 1/500 on ISO 800 and the shutter opens to f/8.

[pedda]

So it seems the SPn has full auto mode and shutter priority mode? Is this different from the SP?

[John Hermanson]

SP has always worked that way. You can set either ring to A, camera does the rest. You can set the shutter speed ring to A and choose your f stop. Then the shutter speed "should" be automatic. You are at the mercy of a 35 year old CDS cell. Most "accurate" mode has always been when both rings are on "A". John

[zuikologist]

Thank you. I learned something new today. The SP is a true multi-mode!

Originally Posted by John Hermanson

SP has always worked that way. You can set either ring to A, camera does the rest. You can set the shutter speed ring to A and choose your f stop. Then the shutter speed "should" be automatic. You are at the mercy of a 35 year old CDS cell. Most "accurate" mode has always been when both rings are on "A". John

[stratcat]

Nice! I like my Olympii even more now!

[pedda]

Ok, i understand that there are certain limits to the auto mode, within certain speeds and apertures, it will for example not choose speeds slower than 1/30, when outside the cameras automode, is the camera suppose to lock the shutter for release? Mine doesn't, in a complete dark room the camera still fires, at 1/30 and 1.7, at the same time i can tell from the readout in the viewfinder that i am outside the cameras limits.

[zuikologist]

Originally Posted by pedda

Ok, i understand that there are certain limits to the auto mode, within certain speeds and apertures, it will for example not choose speeds slower than 1/30, when outside the cameras automode, is the camera suppose to lock the shutter for release? Mine doesn't, in a complete dark room the camera still fires, at 1/30 and 1.7, at the same time i can tell from the readout in the viewfinder that i am outside the cameras limits.

It should lock up if outsdide the camera's auto limits in full auto mode. perhaps this does not apply in AP or TV mode?