Further to Dave's message on this subject. Up here in the "Great White North", we go from 16+ hours of daylight in June to less than half that in the dead of winter. Because of the sun angles we get, especially in the winter, and early/late in the day midsummer, we get some spectacular lighting conditions at times. The downside of that light is that it changes constantly, and unless you meter, and do it properly, there is sometimes a fair bit of Kodachrome meets an ugly end in the trash can.
I have learned over the years (frequently the hard way) how the light meter in my old workhorse Canon AE's reacts in certain situations. After many years, I'm still learning. If you are getting occasional shots where the exposure is way off, question why it is happening. Sometimes it's not what you're doing wrong, but something that escapes your attention. For example, I used to get some wild exposures from my AE-1 every once in a while, and couldn't figure out why. One day, as I took the camera off my shoulder, I heard a clicking noise. Turns out that the shutter speed dial could get turned if the camera strap moved against the camera in a certain way. At the time, the only thing I had to make a fix with was a band-aid across the front of the dial. I suppose I could be more creative about fixing it, but it works, so it's still there. Another way I've learned to get results in questionable situations is by bracketing your exposures. It's not the easiest thing to do sometimes, but well worth it. Sometimes, with both cameras on a tripod, I will set differnt exposures on each to "enhance" my chances of getting it right. Better to throw out frames from one camera then end up with nothing. A friend of mine and I have a habit of when we go out together, we discuss exposures based on what we each get for readings. This is frequently helpful, because it allows you to compare readings, especially in those times where you find your meter hard to believe. Like the old adage says...... Jim --- James / Kathleen Brock --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] Opinions dictated to us by Sasha da'Bird and Ivan & Anna Bunny!! "Extra 9000 West at Red Pass, clear signal, north track, out" --> SPORRS: Serious Photographers of Railroad Related Subjects
