Questions about Nikon FM2n meter

[Pfreddee]

I have some questions about reading the meter on my Nikon FM2n. I can adjust the exposure with the shutter speed, but that is only able to set to the exact speed listed on the dial. The aperture is a different story. I can adjust the aperture almost infinitely to get the meter to read o, with no + or -. But, sometimes I can't get the meter to give anything but an over- or under-exposed reading in addition to the o. Do these over and under readings make that much of a difference with B/W film? What other techniques do you recommend for this camera?

Thank you to all who reply.

With best regards.

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[sevo]

What do you want? The FM2 has no AE, permanent compensations can be done via the film speed dial. If you want to compensate temporarily, you simply adjust the aperture by as many stops as desired. The display switches over between o and +/- at approximately 1/3 stop, for fine adjustments. But personally I have never bothered to compensate other than in full stops, not even for slide film. Where more precise exposure measurements and settings are needed, it is time for a handheld meter (and controlled illumination) - and usually for a camera bigger than 24x36.

 

[Dwig]

The FM2's meter is designed to give 5 levels of exposure indication. If memory serves, these are the 5 levels:

- under ~1 stop or greater
- o under 1/3-2/3 stop
o correct
+ o over 1/3-2/3 stop
+ over ~1 stop

There will be times when you can't get just the "o" lit. Either when a click detent is too close to where you need to set the f/stop and you can only set the f/stop with the detent or move away from the detent too far to keep just the "o" or when you reach the end of the f/stop range and it isn't quite far enough to get the "o" by itself. In most cases, the "close" indications (either -o or +o) are close enough to correct.