Meter on QL17 underexposure problem?

[leithphotographer]

Hi! I'd be very grateful if anyone could give me some advice. I bought a QL17 IIIG yesterday, and put a trial film through it today - shot on auto. Got the prints back, and everything looks a bit dark and dull. Underexposed? I'm thinking that it might be due to the lower (1.5 V) voltage of the battery I'm using. Am I right in thinking that if I set the film speed as just below ISO 200 when using ISO 200 film that it might compensate? Is there a way of calibrating the meter?

Thanks in advance,

Colin

 

[Herjulfr]

You can buy Wiencell batteries, they are of the correct voltage. I didn't have a problem with 1.5 volts batteries however, be it with slides or negatives.

The only times i got underexposed frames were when my batteries were too old : the battery check was still lighting, but i guess its not too accurate, because all my frames with the new battery were correctly exposed while the others were not (i took like 10 shots with the new battery, then didn't use the camera for about 2-3 months and then shot the rest).

 

[Frontman]

Canon fine-tuned the meters in these cameras by adding a small bit of neutral density film between the lens face plate and the meter eye. The glue they used so hold the film in place is water soluble, so this film sometimes comes off or gets lost, and the result is under exposed images. You can compensate a bit by adjusting the film speed lever, but with the way the light baffle is designed, you would be better off adjusting one full stop and setting the speed to 100.

I have compared 1.5 volt batteries and Wein cells in a couple of Canonets, and noticed no difference in the meter readings. The meters in these old cameras are not especially precise, and should only be used to get a ball-park figure.

 

[leithphotographer]

Thanks very much for the advice - will do as you suggest!