EV window off at 1.7 with my SP

[xstntl]

Good day everyone. I recently picked up a 35 SP:


...and I am loving it!

I have a question about the EV window on the lens. When I have the aperture at 1.7, the EV display in the window is between numbers, instead of showing the EV value, it shows the space between the two values. At 1.7 / 250 the window displays the EV value between 9 and 10:



If I use any larger aperture, then the EV value shows up as expected. Here it is at 2.8:



Is this normal?

[Highway 61]

This is normal, because f/1.7 isn't for a round EV setting : the closest would be f/1,4. But your lens maximum aperture is f/1.7.

The EV-system obeys to geometrical suites rules, and the x-factor is 1,414... (square root of 2).

BTW f/2.8 ain't any larger aperture than f/1.7

Nice camera.

[nikon_sam]

Yes..you're fine...1.7 is a setting between what are considered whole F/stop numbers...
If it were set at 1.4 the EV scale would read 9...assuming you're using 100 ASA film...
If you happen to have a hand-held meter with an EV scale you will see the same thing...
Good to go...now go out and shoot that bad boy...
(My 35-SP gives the same reading too)

[Dwig]

Originally Posted by xstntl

...When I have the aperture at 1.7, the EV display in the window is between numbers, instead of showing the EV value, ...

As it should since f/1.7 is the 1/2 stop between f/2.0 and f/1.4. The EV scale is based on EV0 = f/1.0 @ 1 sec. and each integer increment in the EV scale is one stop. Check out: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposure_value.

If I use any larger aperture, ...

Whoops!!. f/stops are written as fractions for a purpose*. The largest aperture on your lens is f/1.7. Just as 1/8th is smaller than 1/2, f/8 is smaller than f/2.

*Apertures can also be written using ratio notation 1:1.7, which is a mathmatical equivalent of fraction notation. This marking is common on lens barrels where it is printed along with the focal length. It is a technical styling that is termed "focal ratio" when discussing this attribute of a telescope.

[xstntl]

Thanks guys, makes me feel a better that it is supposed to work that way. Silly mistake for me to write that 2.8 is bigger than 1.7 - there goes trying to type and think at the same time without proof reading.

I was hoping that the ring that shows the EV value wasn't misaligned or slipping or something - good to know that it's supposed to do what it's doing.

Thanks for all the good info.

[farlymac]

What's really confusing is getting a camera or lens with the stops marked in thirds.

PF