osh
Member
Hello. I have a quick question about the Contax T3: in aperture priority mode, does the camera stop down automatically to prevent overexposure? So, for example, if I put the camera on 2.8 and point at a brightly lit scene, should the overexposure warning flash or does the camera use a different aperture? The reason I'm asking is that I have just bought one and the only way I can get the overexposure warning to flash (using ISO 400 film at any of the selectable apertures) is by pointing the centre of the frame directly at the sun. I'm trying to work out whether it's a fault with the camera or not.
I hope somebody can advise.
Many thanks!
I hope somebody can advise.
Many thanks!
David_Manning
Well-known
If you set it to 2.8, it'll stay at 2.8. The shutter will steplessly increase in speed until it can't operate any faster, and then it'll blink at you. It's not designed to really "protect" the image...it won't stop down automatically if you've commanded f2.8. You'll just get overexposure.
If it's being weird, it might be a meter issue.
If it's being weird, it might be a meter issue.
David_Manning
Well-known
If you're lucky, Peter Schön will jump in with advice and his experience...he's an extremely capable T3 shooter, and shoots in very bright light all the time.
osh
Member
Thanks, I feared it probably would be a meter issue, but I noticed that the manual says in the section on aperture priority:
"If the available light on the subject is too bright for the pre-programmed automatic-linkage range, the program will automatically shift to get a correct exposure." (See p. 37 of the manual: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/optical/support/manual/t3_eng.pdf)
I've just shot a test roll, so will have it developed and see what the exposures look like.
Monochrom
Well-known
The t3 can go up to 1/1200 if i recall well, but it´s not for every aperture, say at 2.8 will not achieve that speed.
But if you want to shoot that open you can easily switch mid roll films and use pan f or 400 iso...as you choose.
Check the custom function to make it easier
But if you want to shoot that open you can easily switch mid roll films and use pan f or 400 iso...as you choose.
Check the custom function to make it easier
osh
Member
Thanks, that's very helpful to know. My main concern with my camera though is that the overexposure warning doesn't blink at f2.8 (with ISO 400 film) if I point the camera at something that I know is too bright (even if the speed does go up to 1/1200) like a white wall in direct sunlight for example. I'm trying to work out whether the camera is faulty, or whether (as the bit I quoted from the manual suggests) the camera just stops down itself to a suitable aperture (which seems strange). I hope that makes sense!
shortstop
Well-known
shortstop
Well-known
shortstop
Well-known
Sorry, another error: the camera will set 5,6 1/500 in the example (EV 20 with 400 ISO)
😴
David_Manning
Well-known
I need to check my manual, but I think that's only in programmed mode that it'll stop down...not sure though.
Monochrom
Well-known
Peter_S
Peter_S
Thanks, David!
I shoot in A mode all the time, and the camera never overexposed to the point that negatives were unusable. When the required shutter speed exceeds 1/1200, the camera should shift to the needed aperture.
Outside I shoot ISO 100 film and with a 2x yellow filter...the camera should then shift to f/4 or something when I have A set to f/2.8 when exceeding approx. EV14. ISO 400 & no filter ... it should require less than what you have described.
osh
Member
Thank you Peter, that's very helpful, and just what I wanted to hear! I got my negatives back today, and even the ones I tried to deliberately overexpose came out fine, so I'm delighted with the camera. I should add that I very much like your pictures - looking at what you have managed to produce with the T3 was one of my main reasons for choosing the camera.
DougFord
on the good foot
Even in aperture priority mode the camera will over ride your selection unless your selected aperture falls within the manufacturers chart for correct exposure with respect to the camera's shutter speed/aperture mapping. This is unlike the hexar af that will allow you to select the 'wrong' aperture with respect to the shutter speed.
If you want to over or under expose a frame on the Contax t3 you'll have to use exposure compensation, which is a royal pain, for want of easy access.
If you want to over or under expose a frame on the Contax t3 you'll have to use exposure compensation, which is a royal pain, for want of easy access.