TTL Metering (Bessa R2M)

[NazgulKing]

Hi all, finally decided to get a Bessa rangefinder R2M from Chiif today. Here's the handsome fella:



I went shooting after that and went through 2 rolls of film in night conditions, but one annoyance I had with the metering was that occasionally, there were instances where it was near impossible to get the correct exposure and sometimes the EV setting would flicker between -2 and +2 when I changed the shutter speed by a notch. I was using the CV 35mm/f1.2 often at wide open and I could for the most part get the metering right but the problem was acute with the Leica 90mm/f2.8 Tele-Elmarit. Any thoughts on how to get around these issues?

 

[NazgulKing]

Or I guess a more general question would be: How best to meter in a low light condition with the Bessa R2M? :s

 

[oliprolli]

Hi bro. Were you there when I was collecting my lens yesterday? I think it was you. Congrats on your purchase! I'm no expert and I dont have a Bessa but I think what you are experiencing is the camera's light meter not being sensitive enough to meter the light.

It was able to meter when you were using your nokton wide open cos the lens lets in more light at f1.2 than the elmarit at 2.8. Must have been shooting in pretty dark places bro!

U can try using a handheld light meter for instances when your camera's meter fail.

Hope this helps bro.

 

[NazgulKing]

Yeah I was there around 530-630pm. I guess the person who was collecting his lens from Chiif was you haha. Yeah, I was thinking I might want to consider getting a light meter. Any recommendations?

 

[chiif]

if all else fail, there's always a iphone light meter....

 

[NazgulKing]

if all else fail, there's always a iphone light meter....

Been playing around with that of late. Though it seems that it doesn't like low light conditions too much. Might be to do with the software. Heck, I tried metering in a generally well lit car park and it kept giving an unstable reading or says "too dark"...

 

[neoro]

Wide open, F1.2 gives allows more light to enter as compared to F2.8.
Compare this on a DSLR / SLR and you will notice that @ F2.8 the viewfinder is slightly dimmer compared to the view with a lens mounted spotting a F1.2 max aperture. You will not notice this, because of the workings of a rangefinder. Lesser light travelling into the camera may result in the Less sensitive lightsensor in the camera not able to perform.

An alternative would be to either to use flash photography or use a handheld meter, as one suggested above. However, given the greater extreme of darkness which you might encounter, not all lightmeter fits the job.

I use the Gossen Luna Pro F with great satisfaction. Build like a brick and highly reliable. Not to mention highly sensitive. It's purchasable off ebay at a reasonable price.

Hi all, finally decided to get a Bessa rangefinder R2M from Chiif today. Here's the handsome fella:



I went shooting after that and went through 2 rolls of film in night conditions, but one annoyance I had with the metering was that occasionally, there were instances where it was near impossible to get the correct exposure and sometimes the EV setting would flicker between -2 and +2 when I changed the shutter speed by a notch. I was using the CV 35mm/f1.2 often at wide open and I could for the most part get the metering right but the problem was acute with the Leica 90mm/f2.8 Tele-Elmarit. Any thoughts on how to get around these issues?

 

[Royale With Cheese]

I use the Gossen Luna Pro F with great satisfaction. Build like a brick and highly reliable. Not to mention highly sensitive. It's purchasable off ebay at a reasonable price.

IT IS A BRICK!!!!!!!!!

I would suggest hand held meter.

Normally, for night shoots, some times I meter the shadow area of the subject & shoot with that.

At night too many stray lights, picture might get slightly over but easily corrected in photo editing softwares

 

[neoro]

IT IS A BRICK!!!!!!!!!

I would suggest hand held meter.

Normally, for night shoots, some times I meter the shadow area of the subject & shoot with that.

At night too many stray lights, picture might get slightly over but easily corrected in photo editing softwares

Its Cool....

 

[clipper79]

Most film cameras have a center-weighted metering, but as for some of the bessa models, they are a little on the bottom weighted side (usually on the left by a bit). And like what neoro said, it might just flicker if it is shot with an aperture that large. I usually take readings of the surroundings and make a judgement for my own before taking. Taking readings off the back of your hand helps me get a good judge of light in a particular situation too. But getting a good light meter does help loads. I hope this helps.