m9 metering question

[grahamule]

Okay, I'm an m9 newbie - it just arrived today. But I can't figure out what I am doing wrong with the exposure meter. Here is what I have observed so far:

No matter what I am filling the frame with, from a dark chalkboard to pointing it directly into a close by fluorescent light, the meter shows me the right side led arrow (which points left) until I get the shutter dial to 1/2 (or very close to it). But, if i set the exposure to my best guess on a variety of subjects, indoors and out, the exposure comes out to what I would expect, and the histograms look reasonable (while the meter is showing me the right side arrow).

If I keep moving the shutter dial until i see the left arrow, I can move the frame very slightly and get the right arrow back, and back and forth. These are very slight movements that cause a switch between the left/right arrows. I have never seen the large led circle, so it seems the camera thinks there is never a "correct" exposure.

If I set aperture priority, no matter the subject, lighting, or aperture setting, I have never seen anything except for blinking "4000", and taking the picture the camera does indeed use 1/4000 and results in underexposure.

This makes me feel like I am missing something basic about how to operate this meter system. Or the brand new out of the box camera is broke. Thoughts? Sorry if this is basic and has been discussed before, but with some quick searching I haven't found anything yet.

 

[Keith]

I could be wrong but to me it seems like your brand new out of the box camera is indeed broke. I had an M8 for several years and this behaviour is not normal so the camera has to be faulty.

Bad luck ... I hope you sort it as quickly as possible.

 

[grahamule]

Well, as a long shot I recharged the battery completely and updated the firmware, but still no love. Guess I'll call the dealer in the morning. I had really wanted to use this thing this weekend, too. I am quite sad.

I was all impressed when I saw the inspection card in the box as I was unpacking the camera and it was hand signed in ink. It just seems hard to believe that something like the light meter could have problems out of the box and it not be user error.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

That difficulty sounds very disheartening, but don't lost hope quite yet.
What kind of lens are you shooting with? A deep rear element will definitely have an effect on metering.
Some of the menu options allow you to set exposure compensation easily with the dial on the back, could you have accidentally set EV compensation?
There may be a setting or two which got changed in the menu that could also change EV compensation.
Have you tried the factory reset option on the main menu?
While these may be long shots, hopefully the issue is something simple.

Good luck!
Phil Forrest

 

[grahamule]

Thanks for the ideas 🙂 However, to answer your questions: I'm shooting with a Zeiss 35/2, and yes I have done a factory reset in the menu and been careful not to change any settings at all.

Disheartened indeed.

 

[Keith]

Thanks for the ideas 🙂 However, to answer your questions: I'm shooting with a Zeiss 35/2, and yes I have done a factory reset in the menu and been careful not to change any settings at all.

Disheartened indeed.

Don't be disheartened ... you have a fabulous camera.

What you don't have obviously is 'luck!' 🙄

 

[grahamule]

Don't be disheartened ... you have a fabulous camera.

What you don't have obviously is 'luck!' 🙄

Oh man, you're not kidding. I bought a used 8.2 (from a dealer) about 18 months ago, and not only did it have a sensor line, but the meter in that one didn't work either! The led indicators never came on at all. I just returned that one as I thought it was a good sign that i just needed to go new. So I'm 0/2 on the digital M's that will meter.

As bad as my luck seems to be with this situation, I cannot complain too much. I live a quite above average life. Maybe the universe just tries to even me out every once in a while 🙂

 

[jaapv]

You have set the camera to its silly "snapshot" mode. set the menu to User 1 and all will be fine 🙂

 

[grahamule]

You have set the camera to its silly "snapshot" mode. set the menu to User 1 and all will be fine 🙂

I had so hoped that you were right, but alas. I set it to "profile 1" - no luck. Factory reset - no luck. Set it to "snapshot" - meter acts the same as before, no luck. "Do you want to exit snapshot mode? -> yes" - no luck.

Thanks for the suggestion though. It really did get my hopes up 🙂

 

[jaapv]

Bummer 🙁...

 

[250swb]

I have been through as many settings on my M9 as I can think of to replicate your problem, but nothing....🙁

I would have to agree, reluctantly, that it may be a dud.

Steve

 

[grahamule]

Alright, well no worries. Dealer sent a new replacement and the old one is on its way back.
Enjoying the learning process now - it's been a while since shooting all manual with my OM-1.