M10R Exposure Meter Setting Issue

[HenryM10R]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Hi there. This is my first time posting here so I hope I have done this correctly.

I was wondering if anyone has had the experience described below, and if so how was it corrected.

Please note that my Leica Dealer has contacted Leica and is presently waiting for a return call from Leica about this issue.

When I select and save either spot metering or multi field metering in the M10R menu, and then take my shot, the meta data does not show the meter selection I made, but instead shows that the metering was center weighted. Note that this does not happen when I take my shot when I am in Live View.

When I am in Live View and take my shot, the meta data does show the metering mode that I selected in the menu.

Thanks.

 

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[TomB_tx]

Sounds correct: spot and multi take readings from the sensor before exposure, so they are only available in live view. While the shutter is closed only the classic near-center-weighted metering is available.

Some have suggested that some earlier models would open the shutter, meter in other modes, then close before again opening for exposure - which would be quite a delay in the process. I never had a model that would do that.

[Guest]

I’m assuming, by what you say you’re not in live view. In which case the metering will be centre weighted only.  Spot and multi-field are only active with live view active, along with centre weighted  

From page 77 of the manual 

Quote

WHEN USING THE RANGEFINDER
Mostly center-weighted metering.
The light reflected by the light-colored shutter blades is captured and measured by a photodiode. When the measuring range of the exposure meter is undercut in a manual setting and very low light density, then the triangular LED ( ) in the viewfinder on the left will flash as a warning; the LED on the right ( ) will flash when the measuring range of the exposure meter is surpassed. The shutter speed icon will flash as a warning if a correct exposure cannot be achievable using the available shutter speeds in aperture priority mode. The relevant icon will flash if the required shutter speed would undercut the fastest possible shutter speed or overshoot the longest possible shutter speed. As exposure metering is done with the working aperture, the same can be achieved by a Stop Down of the lens.
IN LIVE VIEW MODE
Optional methods are Spot metering, Center-Weighted and Multi-Field metering. The metering will then be done via the picture sensor.
▸ Select Exp. Metering in the main menu ▸ Select a metering method
(Spot, Center-Weighted, Multi-Field)
• The selected metering method is displayed in the header of
the screen image in Live View Mode; it appears on the status screen (see p. 55) if the viewfinder is used

 

Edited September 8, 2022 by OThomas

[Siriusone59]

What you've described and Tom explained is the same as I get from my m10r.  Live view will use what ever method you select(multi, etc) but when not using live view, center weighted is all that's available.  When the lens is removed, notice the gray spot painted on the shutter blades, that is what the photo-eye uses for center weighted metering.  In live view, the shutter is open and metering is accomplished from the sensor itself.

[MaticB]

Siriusone59 explained everything: In "classic" mode (using optical viewfinder), M 10R measure exposure by center weighted. In live view, other two modes are option. Previus models, like M240, have options of multi field metering either in live view or using optical view finder.

[Huss]

1 hour ago, MaticB said:

Siriusone59 explained everything: In "classic" mode (using optical viewfinder), M 10R measure exposure by center weighted. In live view, other two modes are option. Previus models, like M240, have options of multi field metering either in live view or using optical view finder.

My M240 only had multi field metering in Live View.

[MaticB]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

2 hours ago, Huss said:

My M240 only had multi field metering in Live View.

I still have M240 and it has posibility to activate multi-field metering in in classic photography, I mean using optical viewfinder. If you use this option, before shutter release you hear (fill) opening of the shutter courtains, and camera meter exposure by sensor exposition. I don't use the very last firmware though.

[wizard]

vor 12 Stunden schrieb TomB_tx:

Sounds correct: spot and multi take readings from the sensor before exposure, so they are only available in live view. While the shutter is closed only the classic near-center-weighted metering is available.

+1. Correct explanation of how the M10R metering systems works. The M11 is different in that regard, as its metering system is exclusively image sensor based.

[Jeff S]

I’d be concerned that my Leica dealer couldn’t explain basic M metering. Was this a Leica Store?

Jeff

[Kwesi]

26 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

I’d be concerned that my Leica dealer couldn’t explain basic M metering. Was this a Leica Store?

Jeff

In the old days, staff was trained on equipment they sold by reps and senior staff. These days you are expected to learn on the job by asking questions. 

[Jeff S]

5 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

In the old days, staff was trained on equipment they sold by reps and senior staff. These days you are expected to learn on the job by asking questions. 

There weren’t any Leica branded company stores in the old days. We’re not talking about stores carrying 10 brands. The M system is the heart of the company. These days anyone could learn basics just spending a few days on YouTube or the forum. Not rocket science. Hiring basics still apply.

Jeff

[Kwesi]

36 minutes ago, Jeff S said:

There weren’t any Leica branded company stores in the old days. We’re not talking about stores carrying 10 brands. The M system is the heart of the company. These days anyone could learn basics just spending a few days on YouTube or the forum. Not rocket science. Hiring basics still apply.

Jeff

I dont mean to be contentious but I have been to 2 Leica branded stores here in the US where I knew more about the M camera being offered me for sale than the salesperson showing it to me. Im not saying this is the norm.

Im curious if anyone reading this thread knows wether sales employees at Leica branded stores go through any Leica branded training or they are just expected to ask questions and learn on the job.

[Jeff S]

25 minutes ago, Kwesi said:

I dont mean to be contentious but I have been to 2 Leica branded stores here in the US where I knew more about the M camera being offered me for sale than the salesperson showing it to me. Im not saying this is the norm.

Im curious if anyone reading this thread knows wether sales employees at Leica branded stores go through any Leica branded training or they are just expected to ask questions and learn on the job.

I’d choose a better store, or at least stick with a proven, knowledgeable store rep. They’re around, coast to coast.

Jeff

[Huss]

8 hours ago, MaticB said:

I still have M240 and it has posibility to activate multi-field metering in in classic photography, I mean using optical viewfinder. If you use this option, before shutter release you hear (fill) opening of the shutter courtains, and camera meter exposure by sensor exposition. I don't use the very last firmware though.

You can use the optical finder whenever you want, it does not matter what exposure mode the camera is on.  But when you use multi metering, the shutter is open the way it is if you are in Live View.  And when you are in Live View, you can still focus with the optical finder.

[MaticB]

1 hour ago, Huss said:

You can use the optical finder whenever you want, it does not matter what exposure mode the camera is on.  But when you use multi metering, the shutter is open the way it is if you are in Live View.  And when you are in Live View, you can still focus with the optical finder.

This is all true. What I want to emphasize is that with M240 you can applied advanced - multi metering - mode even if you don't activate live view. The shutter will open on half-press and exposition will be determined from measurement of the sensor. However, there won't be live view picture on the back screen.

[HenryM10R]

Being new to this I hope this message is seen by all who responded.

I tried to find away to respond to each of your postings but I could figure out how to do so.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond.

After using M cameras for several years I never noticed that the metering was center weighted even though spot was selected.

I know that, thanks to you all, and also thanks to hearing back from Leica via my Leica Dealer, that Spot and Multifield are only available in Live Mode.

What is interesting is that the manual is not exactly clear on this point. And in fact, the manual states that in Rangefinder mode the metering is "Mostly center weighted". Not exactly sure therefore what is meant by "mostly". But that is not important now.

Thanks again for all your responses.