M4-P question?

[shayallen]

I just got an M4-P in from KEH and it looks great and I love the size. Seems a little smaller than my M7 and the shutter seems a little louder but not too bad. I was wondering if there is a way to change the ASA? Does't rotate on the back like my M7...

thanks

 

[ferider]

Congrats on getting the best Leica 🙂

No need to change ASA settings since there is no meter and no batteries.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Svitantti]

A black M4 would be the best, but too expensive 🙂. So maybe a chrome one. M4-P not too bad either...

 

[shayallen]

Wow so that must be the dumbest question ever! So now let me ask another one. When I am out with my M7 and want to get a little faster shutter speed I can increase ASA. How do I do that with this camera?

I will have a Sekonic L-208 in a couple days this is my first camera with no meter.

 

[Chris101]

Turn the dial on the top of the camera to a bigger number.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Wow so that must be the dumbest question ever! So now let me ask another one. When I am out with my M7 and want to get a little faster shutter speed I can increase ASA. How do I do that with this camera?

By "this camera" do you mean the M4-P or to the M7?

 

[Al Kaplan]

You need to get yourself a good reliable light meter. I'd suggest a Weston Master IV or V from Quality Lightmetric (they don't make them anymore) or at least send it there for callibration. Also get the incident light converter dome for it.Weston calls them an "Invercone".

Then you need a basic book that discusses the use of light meters and manual cameras. "The Leica Manual" is a hardcover book that was published in numerous editions into the early 1970's.

 

[sepiareverb]

You need to get a book.

 

[David Murphy]

The camera will be quieter with a lens installed if you've not noticed that yet. It's a great camera overall - very flexible. The best way to learn exposure is to learn the Sunny-16 rule and practice it with tolerant film with outdoor scenes. Just Google "Sunny 16" - lots of info online. Good luck!

 

[Al Kaplan]

Look at the bright side! There are no buttons to push, no menus to click through, no batteries to die, running a roll or more a week through it is GOOD for the camera, and rather than setting the film speed on that squinty little "Film Reminder Dial" (that's what it's called) put a piece of masking tape on the top of the camera and write on it with a fine point Sharpie. You can also write the fact that the roll needs pushing to 800, or that they're all of Aunt Edna so there's no big rush in getting it processed.

 

[shayallen]

"By "this camera" do you mean the M4-P or to the M7?"

I was asking how to push the M4-P to a higher ASA to get a higher shutter speed and not lose exposure...

 

[sepiareverb]

You need to get a book.

 

[Svitantti]

...and a light meter

 

[Svitantti]

The M4-P does not have a light meter. There is no "ASA setting" on the camera. The dial on the back is just for the looks of the camera.

So... You set your aperture and shutter speed completely manually. To determine correct exposure, you need a light meter or knowledge about how to expose the film in certain conditions (see "sunny 16 rule").

Hope this clears it up a bit.

For "higher ASA" you can choose a smaller aperture (which has larger number, e.g. 5.6 -> 8) or a faster shutter speed like 125 -> 250. It has the same effect on the exposure as changing the ASA for one stop (200 -> 400 or so)

 

[shayallen]

Thanks Svitantti that was exactly what I was looking for... I plan on getting a book as well thanks

 

[Al Kaplan]

...but if you don't have some basic knowledge you'll get the wrong exposure. You "set the ASA" on your light meter. You set shutter speed on the camera body and the f-stop on the lens.

To get a higher shutter speed you just pick one on the shutter speed dial. To keep from "losing exposure" you'll need to change the f-stop. A light meter will tell you which one to choose for any shutter speed.

 

[thomasw_]

I recommend this book.

 

[JNewell]

I am trying not to respond by saying, tongue in cheek, that you can change the ASA by using a pencil to set the desired speed on the circle on the back of the camera.

But I won't...I think our OP needs a book... 😉 We were all there once!

 

[ferider]

Shayallen,

some very cool photos in your Smugmug gallery. Think of the M4P as this: while your M7 is more like an OM2, the M4P is like your OM-1 without meter/batteries.

BTW, here is an on-line M4-P instruction manual:

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html

Best,

Roland.

 

[shayallen]

Thanks Roland... I bought my first Real digital camera in December 08 then was introduced to film Photography and sold all my digital stuff and bought an M7 and set up my own dark room and have been in love since then!