Bessa R Exposure Meter

paxship · 03-08-2005

First, I’d like to thank all those who responded to my query about the limits of the R’s exposure meter.

Now I have another exposure meter question. This one is about where to “aim” to get the correct exposure reading. I shot my first roll this weekend and everything was thin – at least one stop under.

I saw the graphic on Stephen Gandy’s site which shows that the meter reads an oblong shape, wider at the base and extending from the bottom of the frame to about 80% of the way up.

I realize that it’s not a spot meter, but where’s the “sweet spot”?

Solinar · 03-08-2005

The exposure meter on the Bessa R is pretty reliablle, but it's only a reflective center-weighted meter and can be fooled. So, sometimes you use your judgement whether a scene can benefit from an extra stop or stop and half of exposure.

You can under rate your film by setting the film speed dial to either 1/3 or 2/3rds of a stop slower than what is suggested on the box, which is what I do for most C41 film. On traditional B&W I usually over rate and compensate during development.

If the metering scene has lots of blue sky in it point the camera downward somewhat and meter everything but the highlights. I usually meter of the back of my hand, if the light striking it is similar to my subject and set the exposure that way.

Sometimes you just have know that the meter is not getting the scene correctly. Black subjects are usually off by a full stop. Folks with hats or back lit are usually off by about two stops, which is when a fill flash will help to normalize the exposure.

paxship · 03-08-2005

Thanks, Andrew. Those are very practical suggestions that (I'll bet) are backed up by lots of experience. I will definitly give it a try and let you know how it worked out.

(If i can figure out how to post images to a gallery.)

sockeyed · 03-09-2005

When I meter with the Bessa, I make sure that there is little sky in the frame to throw off my reading (this is likely why your negs are thin), or I meter off my hand and open up a stop (I have anglo-polish coloring). The Bessa tends to take in more sky than most camera's I've used.

paxship · 03-09-2005

Sockeye --

Thanks for the suggestion about the sky. I had a hunch that that was part of the problem.

Cloudy · 03-09-2005

What films did you shot underexposed? slides or negs.?
It is not easy to determine the accuracy of the meter if shooting B/W film without appropiate equipment like 18% gray card, densitometer .......
There are chances that meters are not accurate, so you better check with another camera which has center-weight metering also for safety.

paxship · 03-09-2005

I used Kodak B&W, ISO 400. The pictures were taken outside under a grey sky (Yes, we have grey skies in Florida!) further shaded by the patio roof. On all probability, all of these factors contributed to underexposure and a lack of contrast.

Processing and digitization was done locally at a Kodak counter-site manned by a Kodak technician.

Since it's my first roll, i'm more curious than concerned -- but, having said that, the suggestioins are quite valuable.

Thanks for your interest.

Solinar · 03-09-2005

This may or may not apply. A couple of years back I took some shots while visiting the Oregon coast with my brother. It was a gray rainy day in late February, which isn't unusual in Western Oregon. Anyway, a whole roll of photos came back underexposed except for the sky. It was late afternoon and I had forgotten that I was shooting a backlit subject against the light even though I never saw the sun that day. So my point is even a gray sky casts shadows.
******
As Obi-Wan Kenobi once said, "May the light be with you."

Rick Beckrich · 03-09-2005

Remember to use the photographer's backup - SUNNY 16

Make your head check what your meter is telling you.

No kidding...

It really does work.

Rick

tedwhite · 03-09-2005

"Processing and digitization" suggest you may have been relying on images from a CD?

I have found little relationship between the actual negs and prints and what you get on a CD from these places.

I have six CD's that came as a package with negs and prints from various places. The CD's are horrible. I brought one CD back to the store, showed the clerk and manager the prints, then prints from the CD. The response was to the effect that there must be something wrong with my computer.

As for the cloudy/rainy day issue. Solinar is reporting experiences many of us have had.

I learned to meter with the camera pointed down enough to eliminate the sky effect. So far, it works.

Cloudy · 03-10-2005

I suggest shooting one roll of slide with front lit subject to test your meter. Since the film speed (I mean real film speed , not ISO) of B/W negs. (or color negs., sorry, or even slides) are variable even with the same ISO and usually not as same speed as the speed (ISO) they claimed. This is because the definition of "film speed" is not like our thoughts (ISO). However, the actual film speed of slides is easier examined by our eyes than negs. (Sorry to my previous tutor in college, he always not allowed us to use eyes to examine films).

Sorry for this clumsy explanation!