Calibrating EOS-1V Light Meter

[SeAnCoLd]

Hi all, does anyone know how I can calibrate the light meter of EOS-1V? It consistently underexposes by 1 stop. I've checked it against 3 other cameras (dSLRs and compact) using spot metering. The focusing screen is correctly selected in the menu.

Seems like a straight forward case of adding a +1 and then zeroing it, but I don't have the necessary software or hardware to do it. I could dial in a +1 exposure compensation, but I frequently overexpose negatives by 1-2 stops, so I can't overexpose by more than 1 stop if I use this workaround. Also, I would prefer to use auto ISO detection via DX code, so compensation using the ISO setting isn't preferred.

I've contacted Canon, but they are taking quite some time to get back to me regarding this as they aren't sure if they still service film cameras.

 

[Light Machinery]

There is no way for you to calibrate the EOS 1V light meter by yourself. Not even with "EOS LINK". If the light meter is confirmed to be off by 1 stop in spot metering your best course is to have it serviced & calibrated by Canon Service Center Sg.

I did checked mine some time back, its off by 1/3 of a stop under expose in all modes. I just left it as it is as I always over expose my negatives by 1 stop manually, by off setting the film speed.

 

[SeAnCoLd]

Thanks for your reply.

Canon Customer Care Center just gave me a call. They are willing to help take a look, but stopped short of saying they can fix it. They also mentioned that it could be dust of fungus on the sensor occluding light. I'll probably bring it down to have it checked.

Yup. I do understand that I can set ISO manually, but I'm intending to do paid work with this camera, so I don't want to risk forgetting to change the ISO (especially on the fly) when I change film. This is why I rather leave it on auto reading of DX coding, and only set the exposure compensation. The ISO setting on this camera doesn't show unless we call it up. Might forget about it

 

[Light Machinery]

Well, Canon Sg service center still support the EOS 1V. I wrote to them to order a few focus screen. They had the tech support call me up, confirmed the parts & camera S/N before ordering it. It came in after 2 weeks.

Well all the best in getting your EOS 1V repaired & I hope it will give you many years of service.

 

[SeAnCoLd]

Thanks!
They got back to me saying that I had set the focusing screen settings wrongly. It was strange as I had checked that. Mine had a grid on it, so it should be EC-D. They said that it was labelled Ec-R, which was confusing...

Anyway, they've got stock for Ec-A, so I've replaced it as a very good price of $15. Hope it meters correctly now. Gonna collect it tomorrow

 

[jfoo]

bring a grey card with you when you collect. that should give you some indication on the metering accuracy.

 

[SeAnCoLd]

Thanks for the advice. Nothing was done to fix it. It still underexposes. Now it underexposes 1 1/3 stops... No idea why. I had it shipped back this morning

 

[jeremiahyong]

Completely unrelated to this topic but do any camera shops still sell the eos 1v?

 

[SeAnCoLd]

Haven't seen one. Ebay

Completely unrelated to this topic but do any camera shops still sell the eos 1v?