Strange Meter Situation on R4M?

[DrewGodin]

Hello all. I've read these forums for a while now, but never bothered to register and actually post. However, after buying my first rangefinder a few weeks back (R4M w/ 21mm/4 P), I have run into trouble when I was about to shoot my first roll of 3200 film. This may be hard to understand (or maybe not), but bear with me. As soon as I go to 1/8th or slower, with it set to 3200iso, the meter will go to -2, and will stay there. Even if it reads +2 at 1/15th, as soon as I move to 1/8th, the meter goes to -2 and stays (unless I move back to 1/15th). The same occurs at 1600, but the meter goes to -2 at 1/4th (even if it was +2 at 1/8th). The same occurs at 800, anything below (you guessed it), 1/2 second. Now, my Bessa did not come with a manual, so I have no idea if this is normal, or if I'm doing something wrong; but it certainly is frustrating not being able to get accurate exposures below 1/15th, or having to compensate in my head, especially in very low light situations at 3200 iso. Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Peter_Jones]

My R2 behaves in a similar way , I think it's down to meter sensitivity (or lack of) in very dark conditions, and basically just how it is and not a fault.

I noticed it the other night when experimenting with settings in a darkish room.

Welcome to the forum by the way 🙂

 

[payasam]

A Canon SLR I bought in 1975 had a red flag that would come up in the finder, signifying "out of metering range", at slow shutter speeds. The faster the film speed set, the less slow the shutter speed at which the flag came up.

 

[ferider]

Let's see:

0 EV = 100 ASA, F1, 1sec

=> 3200 ASA, f4, 1/8sec = 5 - 4 - 3 EV = -2 EV;

AFAIK, the Bessa meter only works from EV1 and up, so you need 3 more stops at least.

Best,

Roland.

 

[Keith]

Interesting thread ... I've noticed my M8's meter doing some strange things in very low light occasionally. It never occured to me that it had probably dropped below it's EV range!

 

[DrewGodin]

Ah that makes sense. I was concerned, and noticed the meter range in the specs, but never put two and two together. I appreciate the responses; I feel much better now haha.

And thanks for the welcome, I think I'll enjoy posting here.

Drew.