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albertonium
Jan 5, 2003, 7:27 AM
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Registered: Apr 30, 2002
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Hey everyone. It looks like I can get good info here, any tips I would appreciate.
I just recieved a neat toy, a 400mm prime telephoto. I know that a bit lens will need a tripod and fast film. My main problem is My camera won't meter through the lens. The camera is an old mamiya MSX 500(that's right a screw mount) I was told that metering through a 50mm lens would give me a good enough idea but it is difficult changing a screw mount over when the big lens is on the tripod. If you can help thanks.
Later
Scott
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csoles
Jan 6, 2003, 4:33 PM
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Learn the Sunny-16 rule and you can pretty much shoot without a meter with good success. Of course it takes practice and bracketing is your friend. But after a while, you will see the light and adjust your camera accordingly.
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albertonium
Jan 6, 2003, 5:24 PM
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Thanks for the hint. Could you direct me towards this rule, is it fairly common knowlegde for phtographers?
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csoles
Jan 7, 2003, 12:50 AM
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Enter "sunny 16 rule" into Google.
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willstrickland
Jan 10, 2003, 6:14 PM
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Sunny 16 says "In sunny conditions, proper exposure at f16 is 1/film speed" Example: Shooting 100 speed film in bright sun, stop the lens to f16, shutter speed will be 1/100(film speed). Since there is no "1/100" shutter speed, choose the closest thing, 1/125. If you want to shoot at f8 or something else, adjust accordingly 1/250 at f8, etc.
A 50mm will meter a MUCH larger area than the 400mm will shoot. A spot meter would solve your problem. Strange that the body will meter with one and not the other, particularly in a screw mount. Are you sure the prime is re-setting the diaphram blades to wide open after firing the shot?
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albertonium
Jan 10, 2003, 6:33 PM
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Actually the prime's diaphram is not controlled by the body. There are two aperature rings. One is for setting the ap. the second lets you focus at max brightness then closes down to the preset opening. This is why I need help with the aperature setting. Thanks all for the help.
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cyberclimber
Jan 15, 2003, 2:44 PM
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I'm not familiar with that camera, does it have a Depth of Field Preview button? If it does, then you can set your aperture to the f-stop you want to use, press the DOF button and take your metering off of that setting. If your camera doesn't have this feature you are probably best off buying a spot meter, once you get used to using one you will probably come to prefer it to the in camera meter even with your lenses that you can meter with.
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albertonium
Jan 27, 2003, 2:39 AM
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Yes the camera can stop down to see D.O.F., it's the lens that doesn't allow it, there is now connection between the lens and the body save for the mount. If I stop down the needle swings but I don't think I can trust it.
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shank
Mar 18, 2003, 10:53 PM
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I have a 400mm prime lens that works this way. What I do is focus the camera on the subject with the aperture full open. them set the aperture where you want and close it down to that setting. Then take your light reading and adjust your shutter speed. open the aperture back up and double check focus and that you are still on target, finnally close the aperture back down to set point and fire.
This may not help at all and you may have it fixed by now but this is what works with my camera and lens.
Good luck.
Steve
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