OT: musings on metering...

[xcapekey]

i was just doing some research into getting a few nikon SLR bodies to do flash with in addition to my rangefinders....i haven't really used SLRs very much or any camera with automation since i got into photography 2 years ago...

so reading about the bodies, it was all very funny to read the endless talk about matrix metering and 1000pixel RGB sensor, etc., don't get me wrong, i love nikon and they are not the only company guilty of all the hyping about metering patterns, etc., but when you think about it, it's a little absurd because all a meter does, no matter how complex or simple tells you 2 things: a shutter speed and an aperture.

that's it.

shutter.

aperture.

and even with all evaluative metering it's still NOT foolproof...it seems like the only way to get it perfect is to (god forbid) think and evaluate the situation yourself. that is why i'm drawn to these crude little rangefinders because it does involve thinking and develops a sense of intuition...

after awhile you don't have to stand and ponder the light and wonder what the setting is..you just KNOW...and you KNOW that it's going to be more consistent and accurate than an in camera meter...

that said, they do make flash a little easier (though definitely not less confusing)...

 

[pvdhaar]

Agreed, although the majority of the flash shots with my AF-Nikons worked out fine, they sometimes failed in the most peculiar ways. In my case mostly because of the complexity of the camera and flash. I just don't have the mental agility to juggle all these settings and custom functions on flash and camera while I'm concentrating on composition.

The best system I've encountered so far is the HexarAF flashmatic system. It basically makes two exposures; one for ambient, and then closes/opens the aperture when it strobes the flash based on the A=GN/distance rule. It's *always* perfectly balanced.

There are also RF's which have an A=GN/distance setting (albeit mechanically instead of electronically).