R7 Integral metering - How does it rank?

[miha]

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How good is the integral metering compared to others of the time (Matrix, CLC,...)? I know that the R3 somehow compensates with the extreme contrast but what about the R7, does it simply read the whole scene and interprets it as 18% grey?

 

Thanks.

Edited January 3, 2015 by miha

[LeicaBraz]

The integral metering of the R7 is center weighted; that is, values deviating from the center are gradually "less" weighted. It measures from EV -1 to EV +19.

All light meters have the same calibration value, which is standard, derived from a normal subject contrast range under normal illumination conditions, resulting in an average grey

which reflects 18 % of the incident light.

So nothing (and no camera) will free you from having to evaluate lighting conditions and adjusting accordingly.

The advantage of the R7 is that you can switch to selective metering, which reads an area equivalent to the central focusing ring (aprox 7 pct angle).

In my experience, however, the integral metering works very satisfactorily; but again as all meters it is not fool proof for all lighting situations.

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[miha]

I see it's rather primitive then, or should I say not up to the best. The Nikon FA I had was rather foolproof, my F90 even more (also the Minoltas from the 90's had 'intelligent' meters and worked well for me), my R4 is not and I often use in in spot mode, so I wondered whether the R7 ranks any better (I know the R8 an 9 do). Don't get me wrong, I have exposed many slides with my also "primitive" Nikon FM2s, so I know how to compensate.

Edited January 3, 2015 by miha

[bocaburger]

I found the integral metering in the R7 adequate 99% of the time with print film. With slide film I often used spotmetering. It was better than my Nikon F and F2 which had only centerweighted metering. The matrix metering in my R8 was similar in design (6 segments) to that in my Nikon F4, a bit of a cut above centerweighted but not that much. The first matrix metering I could rely upon 99% of the time shooting slides was the F5. After that I switched to Canon 1V which was better still. That said I shot slide film many years with non-metered Leica M4's, and centerweighted M6/7/P and never had an issue once I got past the learning curve of how the meter "sees".

[miha]

Thanks for the additional info bocaburger.