Need help on spot-metering of Dynax SLR

[The_Cheat]

Need help from the old birds on this subject.

I'm wondering how does the spot-metering on the Dynax 5 work. Say that if I'm use the spot-meter on four spots on a scene, with the brightest one going something like +2 and the dimmest one at about -0.5, what type of EV compensation setting should I set?

Having lots of problem with underexposure and overexposure of my slides.

 

[yeocolin]

You shouldn't try to use spot meter unless under special circumstances. You should know when do you use spot metering. Use honeycomb/matrix metering for most shoot instead. You should be familiar with exposure using matrix before going to spot meter cos by doing so, you'll have a better understanding about weaknesses of matrix metering and will better appreciate spot metering.

When doing spot metering, you can spot meter the neutral grey card under the same lighting conditions as your subject, which is the standard which all metering use.

Alternatively, spot meter the part which you want to be most accurately exposed. For eg., portrait of bride in white bridal dress, spot meter the bride's face, cos you don't want the face to be under exposed.

 

[yeocolin]

I forgot to add that with the eg. you gave, there is a difference of 2.5 stops between the brightest and darkest spots in your frame. It is uninevitable that some parts of the picture will be under or over exposed. The key is to make sure your subject is properly exposed. If doing landscape, you can use graduated grey density filters to prevent overexposure, usually of the sky. That's what the pros do anyway.

Don't forget your retina (or visual cortex of your brain) can tolerate more F-stops than film, so what seems like a beautiful picture in front of you, may not be all well exposed in your print/slide. Slide exposure tolerance is even lesser (1 F stop, I think) than negatives, so be prepared again.

In this case, spot meter your subject and bracket. For my avatar's picture, I captured the sun's rays by spot metering the rays (that's my subject) and bracket. I took that picture with negatives.

 

[sulhan]

Dunno if this make sense....

http://forums.clubsnap.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=66742


regards,
Sulhan

 

[The_Cheat]

Hey guys, thanks for the advice! Think I'll try to take some pictures later today, with these advices in mind!

 

[TME]

In this case, spot meter your subject and bracket. For my avatar's picture, I captured the sun's rays by spot metering the rays (that's my subject) and bracket. I took that picture with negatives.

I think in your case of your avatar, there are still different parts of the sun rays which u metered right? Closer to the sun and it will be drastically different in terms of the overall exposure....

My take on this is that unless the exposure difference is very great (like in your case where it is >2.5 stops), then use spot metering, otherwise I think the film can handle it... I dun suppose u will see much difference if the difference between the brightest and darkest spots are well within the exposure latitude of your film. At least that was my experience lar....

Anyway, the Dynax 7 has an awfully useful utility which the exposure map which indicates the number of stops over and under the spot that u metered under AEL... I find that quite useful....

 

[yeocolin]

I think in your case of your avatar, there are still different parts of the sun rays which u metered right? Closer to the sun and it will be drastically different in terms of the overall exposure....

My take on this is that unless the exposure difference is very great (like in your case where it is >2.5 stops), then use spot metering, otherwise I think the film can handle it... I dun suppose u will see much difference if the difference between the brightest and darkest spots are well within the exposure latitude of your film. At least that was my experience lar....

Anyway, the Dynax 7 has an awfully useful utility which the exposure map which indicates the number of stops over and under the spot that u metered under AEL... I find that quite useful....

TME, you are right. Different parts of the sun's rays, even as the minutes tick by, the exposure may change. That's why in situations which you are unsure, always do bracketing. Never consider bracketing a waste of film, because different exposures at such adverse lighting conditions produces different moods and may capture different lighting. This is especially important if you are using slides. You don't want a situation when after looking at the processed film and say "Aiya, how I wish I under/over expose by 0.5/0.7/1 stop, it would have been so much better"

In photography, its about being there at the moment in time. Since you are there to capture the moment, film is the most expandable part of photography. The final image is the treasure that's worth more than your film. :lovegrin:

 

[TME]

That's where the 7 is so useful.... can take a 7 shot bracket.... so can use the entire exposure compensation scale if u really kiasu to miss out the perfect shot.... especially with slide film where nailing the "best" exposure is so important... "best' as in what u like the best...

 

[The_Cheat]

Suddenly the 5 sounded not so great anymore...

Anyway, about the film being the most expendable part, somehow I'm still very unwilling to burn the film unnecessarily. Maybe need a mindset change huh? :dunno:

 

[TME]

Suddenly the 5 sounded not so great anymore...

Anyway, about the film being the most expendable part, somehow I'm still very unwilling to burn the film unnecessarily. Maybe need a mindset change huh? :dunno:

That's why I'm waiting for the 7D.... actually I burn film like crazy when I'm on holiday only.... many of the sights are once in a lifetime.... so I reather capture it then regret it.... went for a 15 day holiday 2002 and finished with 17 rolls.... a bit conservative cos first time go so long holiday... tried to reserve.. actually brought along 30 rolls of film.... This time will carry 50 rolls and probably expend all....

 

[deslim27]

That's why I'm waiting for the 7D.... actually I burn film like crazy when I'm on holiday only.... many of the sights are once in a lifetime.... so I reather capture it then regret it.... went for a 15 day holiday 2002 and finished with 17 rolls.... a bit conservative cos first time go so long holiday... tried to reserve.. actually brought along 30 rolls of film.... This time will carry 50 rolls and probably expend all....

Very true, I rather waste ammo than missed the target. Just whack first.. worry late.. kekeke

 

[yeocolin]

Suddenly the 5 sounded not so great anymore...

Anyway, about the film being the most expendable part, somehow I'm still very unwilling to burn the film unnecessarily. Maybe need a mindset change huh? :dunno:

Its very typical to be unwilling to expand film. However, later as you begin to appreciate that even pros (especially pros) or even amateurs work on their subject to create their story and select the best of the best pictures, then you'll realise the need to expand a few frames just on the same subject.

Even my previous 404si can do bracketing and compensation exposure. You don't need Dynax7 to do so, although Dynax 7 allows exposure for flash and even finer bracketing, but the usual 3 frames bracket 0.5 F stop is more than adequate. A more advanced camera only makes it easier to do certain functions. Dynax 5 is considered as a advanced camera, so you can't really complain much. :blah:

 

[The_Cheat]

Its very typical to be unwilling to expand film. However, later as you begin to appreciate that even pros (especially pros) or even amateurs work on their subject to create their story and select the best of the best pictures, then you'll realise the need to expand a few frames just on the same subject.

Even my previous 404si can do bracketing and compensation exposure. You don't need Dynax7 to do so, although Dynax 7 allows exposure for flash and even finer bracketing, but the usual 3 frames bracket 0.5 F stop is more than adequate. A more advanced camera only makes it easier to do certain functions. Dynax 5 is considered as a advanced camera, so you can't really complain much. :blah:

Hey colin! Thanks for the consolation/tease. Suddenly fell in love with my 5 again! :heart: :bsmilie:

Anyway, I'm still learning, so have no idea when to burn the film yet...

 

[yeocolin]

Hey colin! Thanks for the consolation/tease. Suddenly fell in love with my 5 again! :heart: :bsmilie:

Anyway, I'm still learning, so have no idea when to burn the film yet...

Don't burn film for the sake of burning film. You'll gradually understand y people burn film after you've gone through their work process. You can do this by working with them, attending their talks and reading books about how photographers do their assignments (which are usually based on a theme).

You can start doing a themed assignment of your own or with a friend too. Its a good way to learn how to study your subject and how to better capture it on film. :lovegrin:

 

[The_Cheat]

Don't burn film for the sake of burning film. You'll gradually understand y people burn film after you've gone through their work process. You can do this by working with them, attending their talks and reading books about how photographers do their assignments (which are usually based on a theme).

You can start doing a themed assignment of your own or with a friend too. Its a good way to learn how to study your subject and how to better capture it on film. :lovegrin:

Work with photographers? But don't know who to work with leh! :dunno:
Attend talks? Well, I'm supposed to attend talks every friday by some boring old croonie lor, and yet I don't turn out. What make you think I would turn out for photography talk! :blah:
Reading books? I'm reading magazines right now... does that count?
Themed assignments? Hmm... I'm shooting for fun right now. Can't even shoot a basic shot without my hands trembling yet. So think I'd still got a long way to go! Hee~!

Anyway, I'm just complaining for the sake of complaining. Got a debate tomorrow!! ARRRRGGGHHH!!

 

[splatt]

Even my previous 404si can do bracketing and compensation exposure. You don't need Dynax7 to do so, although Dynax 7 allows exposure for flash and even finer bracketing, but the usual 3 frames bracket 0.5 F stop is more than adequate. A more advanced camera only makes it easier to do certain functions. Dynax 5 is considered as a advanced camera, so you can't really complain much. :blah:

A nice feature of the Dynax 5 I recently discovered is the Auto-Bracketing.
Press and hold the exposure compensation button when you release the shutter. The camera will take 3 photos in quick succession 0 EV, +EV, -EV. You can set the interval in the custom functions, but I think the default is plus/minus 1 stop.

 

[The_Cheat]

A nice feature of the Dynax 5 I recently discovered is the Auto-Bracketing.
Press and hold the exposure compensation button when you release the shutter. The camera will take 3 photos in quick succession 0 EV, +EV, -EV. You can set the interval in the custom functions, but I think the default is plus/minus 1 stop.

Yup! Was playing with bracketing when I first tested the camera. Didn't really know the use of bracketing until now... :embrass:

 

[TME]

Its very typical to be unwilling to expand film. However, later as you begin to appreciate that even pros (especially pros) or even amateurs work on their subject to create their story and select the best of the best pictures, then you'll realise the need to expand a few frames just on the same subject.

Even my previous 404si can do bracketing and compensation exposure. You don't need Dynax7 to do so, although Dynax 7 allows exposure for flash and even finer bracketing, but the usual 3 frames bracket 0.5 F stop is more than adequate. A more advanced camera only makes it easier to do certain functions. Dynax 5 is considered as a advanced camera, so you can't really complain much. :blah:

Yeah, it's a lot of camera for the same price as when I paid for my 505si which had like only 1/2 the feature set of the 7. I think the 5 has like 2/3 the feature set of a 7.... I was frankly quite amazed at the specs.... it may even outspec its competitors in the same price bracket...