BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Problems with Photo Equipment - Tips & Tricks

Konica Minolta Auto Meter VF

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June 04, 2006

I have never handled or even seen the Konica Minolta meter you own, however, I think I know. I have been wrong a thousand million times. I have been told I am long winded too however.

You say you need to shoot a 1/160 to prevent soft focus shots. I think you are misreading the camera display. I think the shutter speed you think is 1/160 is actually 1/60 of a second. Allow me to explain all:

The shutter speeds on almost every camera are incremented in a number set revolving around a 2 x change. About 1955 camera makers agreed on the following sequence. All but the 1 second speed is a fraction of a second.

T – B – 1 - 1/2 – 1/4 – 1/8 – 1/15 – 1/30 – 1/60 – 1/125 – 1/250 – 1/500 – 1/1000

Most find it difficult to hand hold a camera at the lower (longer shutter speeds. Usually one must use 1/60 or better to avoid camera shake otherwise you get fuzzy results.

T = time exposure (shutter once triggered remains open until retriggered)
B= Bulb (squeeze ball - opens till released a holdover from air operated shutters)
1= one second
1/2= half second
1/4=quarter second
etc.

Note the sequence is non linier 1/15 should be 1/16 and 1/125 should be 1/120 however it was decided that number set as presented had better acceptance and the tiny errors are of no importance. The number set represents a 2x incremental change.

The important thing is: The number on the right is twice as fast as its neighbor to the left. Twice as fast means quicker but it also means ½ less exposing energy applied to the film/chip.

The f/numbers are also a number set in 2x increments.

1 – 1.4 – 2 – 2.8 – 4 – 5.6 – 8 – 11 – 16 – 22 – 32 – 45- 65

The number to the left allows twice as much light to enter then its neighbor on the right.

The system makes sense.

Say your exposure is 1/125 at f/8. You need more depth-of-field so you change to f/11. Now you have reduced the light energy by ½ via the aperture change. Under exposure results unless you compensate by allowing the shutter to remain open twice as long so you change the shutter speed to 1/60. All this falls under a law in photo science known as the law of reciprocity.

One more point.
When using strobe light indoors, the strobe flash duration is far faster than any shutter speed you select. Generally changing shutter speed with strobe has no impact on exposure. When using strobe with film cameras, be mindful of the recommended shutter speeds needed for synchronization. Also, with strobe, using too slow a shutter allows ambient light to expose along with the light of the flash. Sometimes this is helpful but sometimes, particularly with sports events, this causes streaking.

Best of luck,
Any points needing clarification, just ask.

Alan Marcus
ammarcus@earthlink.net

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June 04, 2006

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June 05, 2006

If you cannot change the increment setting of your meter, then use it at 1/125. The proper exposure for 1/160 will be the aperture given by the meter opened up 1/3 stop. Say the meter gives you f/8 for 1/125. Then set the camera for 1/160 and f/7.1.

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June 05, 2006

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June 05, 2006

I should have done my homework. Your camera allows programmable shutter speeds in 1/3 increments. It goes from 1/800 through 1/30 sec. Wonderful, but a bit too fine for my taste.

Your meter is not that fine. It increments in full stop increemnts (2x change.
Use the shutter speeds displayed on the meter and you will be OK.

Alan Marcus
ammarcus@earthlink.net

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June 05, 2006

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June 05, 2006