farlymac
PF McFarland
Saw one on Flickr the other day that one of my contacts just started shooting, and it got me to thinking about the one I have in a box around here. It's in pretty rough shape, and I'm not too sure the meter works. But I knew where there was one sitting on the shelf of my favorite junktique place. It looked imaculate, the ERC was in great condition (love that medium gray), and it even had the original lens cap. So on my way to the photo lab to drop off some film, I stopped by, and the camera was still there. The main reason I never bought it before was the selinium meter, so I made a point of checking it out closely. It appeared to be working okay, so I figured what the heck, even if it's way off, at least it's a better looking example than the one I already have.
So while down at the lab, I picked up a roll of Fuji C200-36, and headed out for wherever I could find a suitable subject to test the camera. Took me a minute to figure out the door opening (you have to push the button to the side, and then in), then loading was a snap. Set the meter to 200, and the aperture to A, and started shooting. For some dumb reason, I decided to take the aperture off A, and start using the various settings. I didn't use up the whole roll, but I did take a lot of shots that day I most likely wouldn't be able to duplicate.
When I got home, I looked at the manual I had downloaded a long time ago, and forgot about. D'oh! The only time one uses the aperture settings on anything other than A, is when you use B for long exposures (at which the camera defaults to f2.8), or when using flash, and you match the aperture to the focusing distance via the GN of the flash. Then the camera defaults to 1/30.
So here I am, running around taking all these maybe really great shots, and they are all going to be way overexposed. Good thing I bought the cheapest film the lab had. Still have a few frames left to get a good baseline judgement on the meter, so all is not lost. But I really hope those tadpole photos aren't ruined.
BTW, any one have an idea what the shutter speeds are on the Minimatic C? The manual only mentions the 1/30 flash default.
PF
So while down at the lab, I picked up a roll of Fuji C200-36, and headed out for wherever I could find a suitable subject to test the camera. Took me a minute to figure out the door opening (you have to push the button to the side, and then in), then loading was a snap. Set the meter to 200, and the aperture to A, and started shooting. For some dumb reason, I decided to take the aperture off A, and start using the various settings. I didn't use up the whole roll, but I did take a lot of shots that day I most likely wouldn't be able to duplicate.
When I got home, I looked at the manual I had downloaded a long time ago, and forgot about. D'oh! The only time one uses the aperture settings on anything other than A, is when you use B for long exposures (at which the camera defaults to f2.8), or when using flash, and you match the aperture to the focusing distance via the GN of the flash. Then the camera defaults to 1/30.
So here I am, running around taking all these maybe really great shots, and they are all going to be way overexposed. Good thing I bought the cheapest film the lab had. Still have a few frames left to get a good baseline judgement on the meter, so all is not lost. But I really hope those tadpole photos aren't ruined.
BTW, any one have an idea what the shutter speeds are on the Minimatic C? The manual only mentions the 1/30 flash default.
PF
farlymac
PF McFarland
The Results Are In
The Results Are In
Got the first roll back from the lab today, and man was I relieved. Even being four stops overexposed, almost all of the bad shots were workable. Must be a lot of lattitude in that Fuji C200.
But the last five are what really surprizes me. For a 48 year old selenium meter, it does really well. Spot on, as the saying goes (The gal down at the lab asked me if that was the flash tube around the lens).
Here are the examples from the opposite ends of the roll.
What A Mess by br1078phot, on Flickr
Garden Bridge by br1078phot, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157633360708328/
Click the above link to see the entire set.
I'm going to be very happy with this camera. Even with the drug store quality scans (4base, but I usually get the 16base) from the lab, it shows what the Minimatic C is capable of.
PF
The Results Are In
Got the first roll back from the lab today, and man was I relieved. Even being four stops overexposed, almost all of the bad shots were workable. Must be a lot of lattitude in that Fuji C200.
But the last five are what really surprizes me. For a 48 year old selenium meter, it does really well. Spot on, as the saying goes (The gal down at the lab asked me if that was the flash tube around the lens).
Here are the examples from the opposite ends of the roll.
What A Mess by br1078phot, on Flickr
Garden Bridge by br1078phot, on Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/7699588@N07/sets/72157633360708328/
Click the above link to see the entire set.
I'm going to be very happy with this camera. Even with the drug store quality scans (4base, but I usually get the 16base) from the lab, it shows what the Minimatic C is capable of.
PF
locheeboy
locheeboy
Hi Farlymac. It's a stepless shutter; there's no specific settings eg - 1/250, 1/500th. etc. The shutter/aperture is governed by the selenium meter. Ah think, once yer used to the camera, ye can judge whether the meter is accurate (or accurate enough).
Ah believe that the Minimatic S has either needle or electronic indicators in the VF with shutter/aperture settings.
farlymac
PF McFarland
Hi Farlymac. It's a stepless shutter; there's no specific settings eg - 1/250, 1/500th. etc. The shutter/aperture is governed by the selenium meter. Ah think, once yer used to the camera, ye can judge whether the meter is accurate (or accurate enough).
Ah believe that the Minimatic S has either needle or electronic indicators in the VF with shutter/aperture settings.
Thanks. Just like the future Electros. But it would be nice to know what the high and low speeds are. One owner I know thinks his only operates at 1/100.
PF