"Ryan Smith" writes:
>Last week I bought a K1000 with an SMCP-A 50mm 2.0, a Promaster
>
>first Pentax). When comparing the K1000's meter readings with my Canon
>T70 and AE-1 Program, with similar lenses, the readings are quite
>inconsistent. Sometimes the K1000 gives the exact same reading as the
>Canons, sometimes overexposes and sometimes underexposes, usually by
>about 1 stop.
>I put a test roll through the camera. Most of the shots were with flash
>and they came out perfectly. Of the ones without flash, most were
>underexposed, though a couple of macro shots were good.
>
>handheld meter. Or could this problem be caused by using an alkaline A76
>battery instead of the silver-oxide S76?
You can't put too much confidence in a comparison between two different
lens/body/brand combinations because of the differences in metering systems
and technologies, and especially when using third-party lenses in the
comparison (their coating systems were sometimes less evolved, which can
make up to a full stop difference in light transmission through the lens).
I'd say replace the battery and try again -- weak batteries can cause the
metering system to behave erratically. Since silver oxides are still
available, why not stick with that -- the meter system really doesn't draw
much power and it will still last forever, besides, without the owner's
manual, there's a good chance that is the kind of battery it is supposed to
use (although I'm pretty sure my K-1000 uses an alkaline one). While you're
in there, check and clean the battery compartment and battery contacts --
that can also cause low voltage to the metering system.
As you know, the proof of the metering system is in the proofs, so to
speak. Discount the flash pictures entirely as they were not using the
K-1000 metering system to expose the film. After that, I've always had a
lot of difficulty setting the exposure on available light macro subjects, so
I wouldn't use those to judge a metering system either, especially not a
center-weighted one like the K-1000 has (how will you ever know exactly what
you metered off of?). The standard advise is to shoot a roll of slides
because they are easier to assess for misexposure, the other advise would be
to do half the roll with one lens and the other half with the other lens to
see if there's a lens difference.
Lastly, most camera shops will test the light meter and shutter speeds and
tell you objectively how it's doing. The worse thing would be an erratic
difference as you wouldn't be able to adjust for that.
hope that helps,
patbob ([EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED])
-
This message is from the Pentax-Discuss Mail List. To unsubscribe,
go to http://www.pdml.net and follow the directions. Don't forget to
visit the Pentax Users' Gallery at http://pug.komkon.org .
