Light metering symbols

[Mr Fjeld]

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Haven't had many chances to take my camera out for the really dark evenings before these last days. I do notice that when the light is very low I have to point (I use classic metering) towards a lighter part of the whatever I'm going to photograph to be able to avoid blinking with the up or down symbol. This is normal behavior I suppose.

 

However, when I point the camera towards led lights such as the lights on lamp posts outside or even led bulbs in domestic lightning all the metering symbols  start to flicker wildly and it's impossible to get a proper reading. Is this also normal or should I have my camera checked for possible faults?

 

[250swb]

This may be too simplistic, but would it be because LED lights flicker?

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[Mr Fjeld]

This may be too simplistic, but would it be because LED lights flicker?

 

That could very well be the reason I suppose? I didn't even know they do?

[pico]

The behavior of the LEDs is documented in the manual.

Is the camera behaving in a way not documented?

.

[lucerne]

That could very well be the reason I suppose? I didn't even know they do?

Yes they do. Apparently at double the frequency of your AC supply. That's 50 x 2 in the U.K. Metering of objects illuminated by LED light is never going to be accurate. A new metering mode may need to be introduced on the camera menu of light source options.

Additionally, the inability to capture LED displays is easily demonstrated by attempting to shoot timetable displays in airports and stations. It's a very hit and miss experience.

Edited December 15, 2016 by lucerne

[Mr Fjeld]

Thanks all of you for your replies. It's comforting to know it's quite normal. Apart from the initial worry - which is now explained, I must say I absolutely love this camera. It's almost like being back with manual photography in my youth - only better

[mmradman]

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Haven't had many chances to take my camera out for the really dark evenings before these last days. I do notice that when the light is very low I have to point (I use classic metering) towards a lighter part of the whatever I'm going to photograph to be able to avoid blinking with the up or down symbol. This is normal behavior I suppose.

 

However, when I point the camera towards led lights such as the lights on lamp posts outside or even led bulbs in domestic lightning all the metering symbols  start to flicker wildly and it's impossible to get a proper reading. Is this also normal or should I have my camera checked for possible faults?

You may have dimmable type LEDs and dimming circuit could be the culprit. I use non dimmable LED bulbs and never noticed this phenomenon. Attached link/article provides some interesting explanation.

 

http://www.archlighting.com/technology/leds-fighting-flicker_o

[Mr Fjeld]

Thanks Mladen, that is indeed very interesting reading. I tried a little more and found that if I concentrate on where the light fall rather than the source of light itself the reading is far more stable. As a light source the LED bulbs seems to be more intense compared to ordinary bulbs so one can chose to stop down to reduce the intensity. Well, these are mere speculations on my behalf of course...