protect top of M4 when installing MR-4 meter?

[Dante221]

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Hello All

Getting ready to install my MR-4 meter on a mint+ chrome M4.

I am concerned about marking the top of the M4 during the install or when using the meter.

Any suggestions?

Perhaps painters blue tape on the underside of the meter?

Many thanks for your help

Dante

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Dante,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

There have been a number of Threads dealing with this specific question over the years on this Forum.

 

Basically the potential for problems comes from the bottom of the meter contacting the top of the camera when putting the meter in the accessory shoe.

 

The various meters which couple with the shutter speed wheel (Incluing yours) have 5 screws underneath them.

 

2 small & 3 larger.

 

The purpose of these 5 screws working together is to:

Attach the foot of the meter to the meter.

 

& Properly align the meter so that the meter cell is measuring the scene within the 90mm frame line.

 

& provide clearance so that:

The little pin engages the cut out in the shutter speed wheel of the CAMERA.

 

And makes sure that the bottom surface of the meter does NOT contact the top of the camera.

 

The meter is attached & detached by FIRST: Rotating the shutter speed wheel ON THE METER to "B".

 

Then lifting that wheel up & continuing to rotate the wheel to the longer shutter speeds (ie: 4 second, 8 seconds, etc.)

 

Then set the shutter speed dial ON THE CAMERA to "B".

 

Then GENTLY try to slide the meter into the accessory shoe while watching for contact between the meter & the camera from behind the meter & the camera.

 

IF you see potential contact between the meter & the camera body STOP.

 

Remove the meter GENTLY.

 

Adjust the 5 screws:

Usually the 3 larger are "locking" screws & the 2 smaller are "positioning" screws.

 

Altho all 5  screws do some of both.

 

When you have reset the screws GENTLY so that there is clearance for the meter.

 

Slide the meter into the accessory shoe.

 

Now, turn the wheel on the meter to "B"

 

There should be a "click" as the wheel comes down with the little pin going into the cut out.

 

While watching from the back: Turn the wheel to "1000" & then back to "B" 2 or 3 times to make sure that the pin is far enough down in the cut out NOT to "pop" out when turning back & forth.

 

When all is OK:

Return the dial to "B".

 

Lift up & continue turning a bit.

 

Remove meter carefully.

 

Snug up the 3 larger screws a bit more. Do NOT adjust the 2 smaller screws.

 

Reattach & retest the meter.

 

Enjoy your picture taking. Keeping in mind that whatever focal length lens is on the camera: The meter is ALWAYS metering what you see in the 90mm frame.

 

Including with lenses with "goggles" of various types.

 

Best Regards,

 

Michael

Edited September 21, 2017 by Michael Geschlecht

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[pico]

Michael’s directions are correct. For perfect protection apply a piece of gaffer tape on the top below the meter.

[lct]

[...] apply a piece of gaffer tape on the top below the meter.

 

+1.

[Dante221]

Many

Thanks!!

 

Dante