I've just joined your awesome club: have a question about metering

[kiss-o-matic]

Howdy

I've finally taken the plunge and found one of these guys for a decent price used. Not as decent as I wanted, but oh, well. I've coupled it w/ the Planar 2/50. I've only shot a roll, and haven't developed it yet so I can't comment too much, but it's Zeiss: it feels like quality. Still getting used to the range finder experience.

I've actually developed B&W back in high school art class... which was like 20 years ago (yikes). The film thing I'm doing okay with, but I'm a little lost on the metering. Reading that rock star Ken Rockwell's page, it seems the ZI has TTL metering. Is it truly through the lens? IE, if I stick a polarizing filter on the end of it should, and I'm shooting in Aperture Priority mode (which I usually shoot) do I need to compensate? Normally I'd just go trial and error, but don't want to waste a bunch of film. 🙂

Hopefully can post some pics soon.

 

[thegman]

Yes, the ZI meters through it's lens, so it'll meter through any filters which are attached.

The only thing to remember is that the meter 'sees' light differently to film. i.e. Let's say you use an infrared filter, the meter will see almost complete darkness but infrared film will see infrared light just fine.

That may also be the case on less extreme filters like a polarizer too, but obviously a far less marked amount. But generally, yes, the meter looks through the filters, so you don't really need to compensate most of the time.

 

[kiss-o-matic]

Thanks! Now to get the filter. 🙂

 

[Papercut]

Be aware, also, that while the ZM is labeled as "center-weighted" metering, that its pattern is not symmetrical -- this matters most when you turn the camera into portrait orientation. If you turn it left side up, you may be metering the light / sky, instead of your subject.

For the metering pattern, see this post: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=1462123&postcount=4

 

[kiss-o-matic]

Interesting, Papercut. Thanks. That's actually quite useful. I usually do right side up though. Still good to know.

I read through the Japanese model, which was pretty informative, but pretty much just on the surface reading.

 

[jpskenn]

Try here:
http://www.instructionsmanuals.com/modelo-4580-en-Film+cameras.htm

 

[kiss-o-matic]

That works... although any link takes me to a version which shows all languages. Nonetheless, I can scroll to my desired language.

The other weird thing is mine seemed to come w/o the "key rings" for attaching the neck strap. It was used though, so who knows. I'll try to disassemble something lying around the house and make due.