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Nikon FM Light Meter
Dec 18, 2023 06:40:46 #
billnikon
Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont
mrchunko wrote:
I resurrected my Nikon 35mm film camera to tinker ... (show quote)
When you take the image, does it come out OK?, if it does, continue as is. As long as the meter continues to center the needle.
Dec 18, 2023 06:46:01 #
My FMs did the same way back, the film latitude made up for if I was off a little bit. My FM2's meter lights stopped working, but now, I prefer it that way. I look at the ambient light, and by now, my guesses for exposure are usually close to exact.
Dec 18, 2023 07:34:53 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I wanted to point out that using a handheld meter doesn't solve the OP problem. The best way for the OP is to set the aperture in between stops to get the Nikon FM meter to display o. In the case if I were to use the handheld meter I would set the aperture about 2/3 pass the f/5.6 near f/8 but not quite f/8.
Brings back memories. We almost always shot Kodachrome 2/3 under what the meter 'suggested'. The important thing to keep in mind is that a meter only makes a suggestion.
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Dec 18, 2023 07:56:46 #
Bill_de wrote:
Brings back memories. We almost always shot Kodachrome 2/3 under what the meter 'suggested'. The important thing to keep in mind is that a meter only makes a suggestion.
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Except for the matrix or evaluative metering system the meter doesn't make a suggestion. It makes a measurement based on a predefined weighting pattern.
Dec 18, 2023 09:22:41 #
DaveyDitzer wrote:
OK. I dug out my FM and installed fresh batteries and found that when you are at about a 1/2 stop or so between correct exposure and under or over, both lights will light up to make you aware of the exposure "leaning" one way or the other.
This is the correct answer. I had an FM 40 years ago. The "two light" reading indicates either +half or -half a stop. It's fine for use with color negative film and black-and-white film, but a bit annoying for slide production.
It was trying to emulate a meter needle from an older analog device. I never liked it. The FM was basically an updated Nikkormat, a cheaper line of cameras that still had an F mount. Once I got a Nikon FTn, I sold my Nikkormat FTn and moved on. The FM was a camera I was asked to use at work. It drove me nuts with its inaccurate viewfinder (only about 95% coverage, not enough for precision multi-image slide production) and that LED meter readout. I convinced my manager to let me order a Nikon F3, which was the best film camera I ever used. We got two — one with a pin-registration back on it to allow perfectly registered multiple exposures for titling, compositing multiple images, etc. I still have it as a conversation piece.
Dec 18, 2023 10:01:59 #
mrchunko wrote:
I resurrected my Nikon 35mm film camera to tinker ... (show quote)
Maybe the question only you can answer is, how do the photos come out with regard to proper exposure.
Dennis
Dec 18, 2023 10:04:32 #
terryMc wrote:
Poor reading comprehension? I answered the question, which was "Any Ideas what to do?" I told him what I do. which is to ignore the camera's meter.
Now I will ignore you.
Now I will ignore you.
Neither your original “answer” nor this one are helpful. Make my day, go ahead and ignore me too. In fact go ahead and unwatch this thread and save yourself the inconvenience of getting feedback on your unhelpful answers.
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Dec 18, 2023 12:17:17 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Except for the matrix or evaluative metering system the meter doesn't make a suggestion. It makes a measurement based on a predefined weighting pattern.
Distinction lacking in difference. Solid UHH.
Dec 18, 2023 14:49:34 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Except for the matrix or evaluative metering system the meter doesn't make a suggestion. It makes a measurement based on a predefined weighting pattern.
Yes, and sometimes you have to correct from numbers. That's why most cameras have that +/- dial.
Although I do know a few folks who don't get it, and correct everything in post processing.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
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Dec 18, 2023 16:08:03 #
Bill_de wrote:
Yes, and sometimes you have to correct from numbers. That's why most cameras have that +/- dial.
Although I do know a few folks who don't get it, and correct everything in post processing.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
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Although I do know a few folks who don't get it, and correct everything in post processing.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
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Back in the day, if you were serious about using 'chrome films (for slides), you tested every different emulsion batch of film for speed, when you bought a 20-roll brick, or 100' roll, or 300-roll case of it. I ALWAYS tested 'chrome film for speed and color balance, and entered an exposure compensation offset (usually by changing the ISO setting on the meter). I liked some extra saturation, so I often underexposed by 1/3 stop.
Dec 18, 2023 16:38:11 #
burkphoto wrote:
This is the correct answer. I had an FM 40 years a... (show quote)
My FM consistently gave me beautifully exposed Kodachrome 25 & 64 slides. :-)
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Dec 18, 2023 16:39:36 #
BebuLamar wrote:
Except for the matrix or evaluative metering system the meter doesn't make a suggestion. It makes a measurement based on a predefined weighting pattern.
The tried and true, Nikon 60/40 pattern.
Dec 18, 2023 17:13:53 #
Bill_de wrote:
Yes, and sometimes you have to correct from numbers. That's why most cameras have that +/- dial.
Although I do know a few folks who don't get it, and correct everything in post processing.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
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Although I do know a few folks who don't get it, and correct everything in post processing.
There are many ways to skin a cat.
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And yet for all those many ways theres really no demand for either cat hides or for skinned cat carcasses. Even catgut fiddle strings were never really made from genuine guts of cats.
Dec 18, 2023 21:33:44 #
Spirit Vision Photography wrote:
My FM consistently gave me beautifully exposed Kodachrome 25 & 64 slides. :-)
I had no trouble with the meter's accuracy. I just preferred an analog readout. I still do. Even if it's digital emulating analog with better granularity.
I had to use F and F3 bodies for copy work because we were always making composite images for multi-image projection. We used 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15 projectors on one, three-butt, and five (three butt with two butt center overlap) screen areas. Projecting as many as 12 projectors on a single screen area, we could do pseudo animation, titling, insets, etc. All images had to be copied in perfect registration and projected in very close registration, too. Only the F series Nikons had 100% accurate viewfinders. Our pin-registered F3 had a viewfinder reticle grid we used for composition on the copy stand and the slide duplicator. So the FM became our backup camera for candid field photography. It was fine for that.
Dec 18, 2023 22:05:37 #
User ID wrote:
And yet for all those many ways theres really no demand for either cat hides or for skinned cat carcasses. Even catgut fiddle strings were never really made from genuine guts of cats.
What ? The hell you say? Not cat gut? Well in a way I am relieved as I like cats. (If cats could text you they wouldn't).
Oh yeah the film thing. Hollywood DPs still love film. Hmmm.
Some of us amateurs, and a few pros, still shoot film. Myself I like the way film records light, and I like the "film look". So I shoot a roll now and then and oddly my film cameras outnumber my digital cameras in number but not in hours used.
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