thephotofather Posted March 5, 2009 Share #1 Posted March 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Good morning. I recently purchased an M6 from my dealer and just Love it. It seems that my film be it color from the pro lab or my own developing is always about 1 stop over exposed. Could there be a problem with the meter or am I just too used to dSLR "Matrix" metering. Thank you for any help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 5, 2009 Posted March 5, 2009 Hi thephotofather, Take a look here M6 Meter off Possible?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
rpcruz Posted March 5, 2009 Share #2 Posted March 5, 2009 Hi! You are aware that the meter is leaning more to the "spot metering" side of the camp? It's just because, when we are used to using the latest DSLRs against this mechanical marvel, we sometimes forget that, although effective, the meter is not as sophisticated as the DSLR zone, or matrix metering (whatever you want to call it). Don't know if this makes sense in your case, just a suggestion. ;-) Best regards, Rui Good morning. I recently purchased an M6 from my dealer and just Love it. It seems that my film be it color from the pro lab or my own developing is always about 1 stop over exposed. Could there be a problem with the meter or am I just too used to dSLR "Matrix" metering. Thank you for any help. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted March 5, 2009 Share #3 Posted March 5, 2009 How are you metering with your camera? Have you read the owners manual? As mentioned its like a fat spotmeter, not matrix or even centre weighted so you can't just frame and expose. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephotofather Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share #4 Posted March 5, 2009 Yup, I know this is why I pointed out I was using "Matrix" metering on the dSLR. I understand metering in the M6 and yet it is still comeing out about +1 ov. So the question is: Is it possible for the meter in the M6 to be off? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted March 5, 2009 Share #5 Posted March 5, 2009 Yup, I know this is why I pointed out I was using "Matrix" metering on the dSLR. I understand metering in the M6 and yet it is still comeing out about +1 ov. So the question is: Is it possible for the meter in the M6 to be off? Would it be worth trying metering close up to a grey card, and then comparing the reading with a known accurate camera reading? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephotofather Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share #6 Posted March 5, 2009 Would it be worth trying metering close up to a grey card, and then comparing the reading with a known accurate camera reading? Sure it would and I've thought of that as soon as I can get a known accurate camera. So, please note: I've been a professional photographer for many a year, I am brand new to the Leica Line and I'm just trying to understand one thing.... Is it possible for the M6 to be off in Metering???? I am greatful for all the help here, but I really want to know if anyone has had any knowledge with this specifically with the M series. Thank you. Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattLain Posted March 5, 2009 Share #7 Posted March 5, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) Is it possible for the M6 to be off in Metering??? I'd imagine anythings possible... The chance of anyone here knowing whether your camera's meter is 'off' is unlikely. Do a grey card test and find out for yourself to be sure, there really isn't much point in anyone's speculation about what might be wrong. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Albertson Posted March 5, 2009 Share #8 Posted March 5, 2009 Sure it's possible. As I recall, early production models of the M6 occasionally developed problems with the meter. One thing I do whenever I load a new roll of film is physically run the film speed dial through the full range of speeds before I set the speed of whatever film I'm loading. A Leica tech showed me that once. Even though the contacts for the film-speed dial are gold-plated, they occasionally get dirty and that can throw the metering mechanism off. Running through the full range of speeds scrubs off any dirt that may be on the contacts. If the problem persists, it may be time to put the camera in for a CLA. Also, if you haven't tried it already, shoot a roll of slide film and have it developed. That should show any exposure problems better than color neg or black-and-white. I routinely shoot Kodachrome with my M's, and the metering is spot on. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephotofather Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share #9 Posted March 5, 2009 Thank you Chuck.I am going to do a 18/pct test. It's just the engineer in me wanting to understand if there is any one thingie (professional term) that would swing the meter. Thanks again. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 5, 2009 Share #10 Posted March 5, 2009 My M7 has just come back from Solms. While it was there, they "adjusted the meter". This infers that the meter can go "off" and need tweaking. Do you know when your M6 was last CLAd? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephotofather Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share #11 Posted March 5, 2009 No Andy, I don't..... But I can ask my dealer but I doubt he knows... In other news...... I LOVE this camera. Really love every single thing about it. Yesterday I took home a M8 (orig model) and to be honest not that crazy about it. But the big reason here is not the camera per say, it's my soul moving more and more to analouge. I very well may get a 8.2 when and if the M9 comes out. I don't know, but I'm in no rush as I just love this too much. Match this with my med format digi back and 120 film back and I'm pretty happy. Best, Tom Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 5, 2009 Share #12 Posted March 5, 2009 Tom You know you are on a very slippery slope, don't you? That M bug gets under your skin very quickly... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephotofather Posted March 5, 2009 Author Share #13 Posted March 5, 2009 Tom You know you are on a very slippery slope, don't you? That M bug gets under your skin very quickly... Andy, my dealer said the same thing and I quickly thought, "I'm a big Boy" Holy cow, what the heck is that bug? Nothing ever hit me like that. I was reading here the 7 page thread on Bags.... I've never done that before in my life... Is it the feel? the solid build? or just the amazing quality of a well built Camera and the best lenses built? All? I just traded in a two month old Nikon D700. TWO MONTHS! I think I was getting very, very disapointed with Digital all togeather. I shoot with a very expensive digital back, I've used eveything from the Hassey 500x with and without a digi back, and xPan's, H1 etc, but never felt like this..... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted March 5, 2009 Share #14 Posted March 5, 2009 Buying a £700 M6, from a dealer, is tantamount to going to that place downtown and buying a wrap of crack Next, it'll be that 35 ASPH, then a 50 'lux, then an MP I am even worse. I started with an M2, and before I knew it, I had an R8 and a DMR I came here for help... now look at me If you want advice as to how to spend your children's allowance, you have come to the right place! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chuck Albertson Posted March 5, 2009 Share #15 Posted March 5, 2009 Andy, my dealer said the same thing and I quickly thought, "I'm a big Boy" Holy cow, what the heck is that bug? Nothing ever hit me like that. I was reading here the 7 page thread on Bags.... I've never done that before in my life... Is it the feel? the solid build? or just the amazing quality of a well built Camera and the best lenses built? All? I just traded in a two month old Nikon D700. TWO MONTHS! I think I was getting very, very disapointed with Digital all togeather. I shoot with a very expensive digital back, I've used eveything from the Hassey 500x with and without a digi back, and xPan's, H1 etc, but never felt like this..... It's called White Box Fever, and it's not a pretty sight. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
masjah Posted March 6, 2009 Share #16 Posted March 6, 2009 Sure it would and I've thought of that as soon as I can get a known accurate camera.So, please note: I've been a professional photographer for many a year, I am brand new to the Leica Line and I'm just trying to understand one thing.... Is it possible for the M6 to be off in Metering???? I am greatful for all the help here, but I really want to know if anyone has had any knowledge with this specifically with the M series. Thank you. Tom My apologies - I misunderstood the thrust of your question. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philippe D. Posted March 6, 2009 Share #17 Posted March 6, 2009 Hello, I recently purchased an M6 ...It seems that my film be it color from the pro lab or my own developing is always about 1 stop over exposed. Could there be a problem with the meter or am I just too used to dSLR "Matrix" metering. A lightmeter can always be wrong. Unlike hand-held meters, we can not adjust the meter of the m6 with a screwdriver.So did you try to double the ISO mark on the back door ? If it works, a known error is not an error anymore. If the reading is still wrong, then it should be adjusted. I think the metering on M6 is about equal the 90mm lens frame. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thephotofather Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share #18 Posted March 6, 2009 Wanted to stop by and thank you guys. The meter is perfect. It's me that's off. I've not shot manual in many a year and I would sometimes get confused, even with the fool proof arrows, when I wanted to over/under expose a shot on purpose. (Have to think "OVER to the RIGHT" = OverExpose go Right... (Open up) Anyone else get confused once in awhile? Thanks again guys. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted March 7, 2009 Share #19 Posted March 7, 2009 Good morning. I recently purchased an M6 from my dealer and just Love it. It seems that my film be it color from the pro lab or my own developing is always about 1 stop over exposed. Could there be a problem with the meter or am I just too used to dSLR "Matrix" metering. Thank you for any help. I have 2 M6's and needed to calibrate them as there is no such thing as a correct exposure. What will be correct to you is personal to you and might seem wrong to me and visa versa Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted March 8, 2009 Share #20 Posted March 8, 2009 Here's a tip for the M6: If the left arrow only is illuminated you will notice it points right. (underexposure, more exposure needed.) So turn the aperture ring right (8 to 5.6 etc) to open up the lens. Similarly, if the right arrow only is illuminated it points left (overexposure, less exposure needed), then turn the aperture ring left (5.6 to 8 etc) to stop down. Or turn the shutter dial towards the red arrow (clockwise for less exposure, anti-clockwise for more exposure.) Later M6 TTLs, M7s and M8s reversed the direction of the shutter speed dial. In practice, I first guesstimate what I think the exposure should be using the sunny 16 (or usually sunny 11) rule. If it is sunny I figure the exposure should be about 1/125 @ f/11 for ISO 100, or a variant thereof -- and I tweak shutter speed or aperture to fine tune. If I'm really not sure, I use a Sekonic 308b and bracket! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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