Electro Shutter Speed Question

[NickTrop]

The more I use this camera, the more it impresses me. I have a question. When the camera calculates the shutter speed, does it do so in "stops" or in seconds? In other words, if you're shooting at f8, would it hold the shutter open for an oddball 51 seconds if that's the correct speed mathematically? Or does it use standard increments... 1/60, 1/125, 1/500 - the usual.

Also, I've taken shots with backlighting, no fill flash. I've taken several of these where it exposes the people I'm shooting in the foreground properly with even though there's a window behind them with pretty strong daylight - subjects (usually, not always) properly exposed, window properly "overexposed". Most cameras with autoexposure I've used get fooled by this and expose the window properly but underexpose the subject. How the heck does this 60's in-camera metering technology do that? Not that I used many, many cameras but I've never encountered a camera like this where the autoexposure isn't so easily fooled by backlighting. Is this my imagination?

 

[anirbax]

The shutter speed is stepless because the timer is analogue electronic, so it can do 1/50s and 1/111s.

I have used my GSN to take photos of subjects with a very dark background, the exact opposite of your case, and as expected, the subject was over-exposed slightly. The only control is to fool the camera with a higher ASA setting.

Anirban

 

[NickTrop]

Thanks, anirbax.

 

[Pherdinand]

It's not your imagination. I had the same occasionally. I think the meter is measuring really the central region only.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Unfortunately, there is no easy way to check for the real covering of the YE35 meter, unless opening the camera and checking at some place within the electronics.
The ASA/ISO adjuster closes (or opens) a small diaphragm in front of the cell, but there is no lens in front of this iris adjustement, nor it seems to be one between iris and CdS cell (I didn´t dissassemble yet any) This makes me think that the picture area isn´t fully covered by the cell when the ISO settings are high.
In other words, the meter seems to be more spot on higher ISO, and more averaging in lower settings.
If this is true, this would explain why this cameras can bring such good results, sometimes unexpected ones.

Ernesto

 

[jody]

T
Most cameras with autoexposure I've used get fooled by this and expose the window properly but underexpose the subject. How the heck does this 60's in-camera metering technology do that? Not that I used many, many cameras but I've never encountered a camera like this where the autoexposure isn't so easily fooled by backlighting. Is this my imagination?

Not your imagination in my opinion, these old cameras are basiclly point and shoots of the day but you couldnt aways just point and shoot. Cameras were built better then I believe. Not everything is built better but many things are. I remember when you paid alot for a TV and you had repairmen to fix them not they are throwaway. I just don't see any of todays point and shoots as well as all digitals and some Slrs being around in 40 years.