Voigt Bessa III cell pattern

[pstevenin]

I remember from my gone RD-1 that while the cell did a consistent good job, you'll to have its weird pattern in mind which was not 'exactly' centrered (there is threads here depicting this).

The main concern was for portrait shots, it was mandatory to rotate the camera in order to have the trigger on the high left side rather than on the low right side (depends how you handle it) other wise you should have consistent under-exposed shots (up to 2 stops)

Did you noticed that on the Bessa III?

(Still expecting mine to be delivered...🙄)

 

[Jamie123]

I remember from my gone RD-1 that while the cell did a consistent good job, you'll to have its weird pattern in mind which was not 'exactly' centrered (there is threads here depicting this).

The main concern was for portrait shots, it was mandatory to rotate the camera in order to have the trigger on the high left side rather than on the low right side (depends how you handle it) other wise you should have consistent under-exposed shots (up to 2 stops)

Did you noticed that on the Bessa III?

(Still expecting mine to be delivered...🙄)

Just got mine this morning so I don't have much experience yet.
However, I'm not sure you can really compare the RD-1 with the Bessa III as the RD probably has TTL metering while the Bessa has a metering cell next to the rf window (non-ttl). So far the camera is giving me the same exposure readings no matter which way I turn the camera in vertical orientation.

 

[ZeissFan]

This question comes up with this camera. Because the camera uses a leaf shutter, including TTL (through the lens metering) would be highly complicated.

Think about it.

In order to use TTL metering, you would need to open the shutter. That would expose the film. That would require a blind at the film plane upon which you could imprint a metering pattern (much like in the Olympus OM-2).

Now it gets complex. When you take your photo, the leaf shutter must close, the blind must open and the leaf shutter must release. I suppose you could simplify it so that winding to the next frame would close the blind and open the shutter.

But that would make the system very complex, more expensive and also increase the likelihood of problems and/or failure, as the shutter and blind would have to be synchronized.

You might as well just have a focal plane shutter. That would be a large, loud and expensive shutter.

OR ...

You could place a small silicon cell (or cells) at the base of the film plane and have it read exposure at time of exposure, regulating the leaf shutter electronically. And then have another cell in the viewfinder housing to approximate it for the photographer.

However, having a cell or cells in the film chamber in a folding camera would require moving the bellows slightly so they wouldn't touch the silicon cell and its associated wiring, which would have to run to the shutter.

Both would add cost and complexity to the camera.

While TTL would be nice and more accurate, a body mounted meter cell is adequate (good enough). Like nearly all meters, it can be fooled.

 

[Jamie123]

i havnt heard much in real details/specs about meter myself, i have heard some ppl saying how fantastic it is, sounded a bit over enthusiastic to me or hyperbole for whatever reason or agenda..have heard it is center weighted, how would that be if its not through the lens?...it seems to me that it must not be much more then something like an inbuilt VC meter with a specific angle of view, apparently in manual mode it only shows 1 stop adjustments so perhaps not as good as a VC meter

As I've only received the camera today, I can't comment too much on the meters performance. However, I was very impressed when I tested it out at a local camera store a while ago. I shot a roll in front of the store and it was about 2pm on a very sunny day. Took a few portraits of a friend that was with me. He was standing in the shade with the sun behind him.
The exposures came out flawless.

I shot a roll of Provia 400x today on Auto so I'm curious how it'll come out.

 

[Tom A]

Because the meter is separate from the lens - the reading pattern is "fixed' - focussing close or at infinity is not affected. From my experience - it seems center weighted with a slight bias to the bottom.
After about 40 rolls with it - I have found the meter virtually flawless. The only couple of shots that are either over or under have been when I try to "outsmart" the meter.
With strong backlight you have to watch it (as with any other metering system) but the "over-ride" is quick and easy to set. You can also "lock" in a reading by pressing down on the shutter release carefully (it is a bit hair trigger though) and locking it in and shoot. Wish it had the shutter compensation of the Zeiss ZM - tilt camera for reading. push button on the back and it will hold a reading for 20 sec. or until you press it again.

 

[pstevenin]

Thank's a lot for the infos I was just wondering. TTL or not, the RD-1 cell pattern was biased and documented as that (and I guess it is the same with all the 35mm bessas) with a more than noticable impact on a let say 50mm eqv. (even worse on the tele side)

It sounds from what I've read the cell has been thoroughtly adjusted for the fixed lens. I'm now desperately waiting for my Besa III, lots of rolls ae waiting on the fridge!