Yet another CL meter question...

[vrgard]

I've noticed something odd when using my Leica Cl and wondered whether this is normal. What I've noticed is that the meter needle doesn't move the same amount when I change aperture versus when I change shutter speed. In other words, changes in shutter speed cause the meter needle to move significantly while changes in aperture barely cause the meter needle to move. Given the reciprocity of one less increment of speed equalling one greater increment of aperture or vice-versa (you know what I mean), I don't understand why this should occur. Does this indicate something funky about my meter, my battery (admittedly, alkaline with no convertor or meter adjustment), my intelligence 😕, or what? Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Randy

 

[back alley]

that camera sounds all messed up...better send it to me now before you get all emotionally attached to it...

i don't think it happens to mine.

 

[vrgard]

I knew I could count on you, Joe...

I knew I could count on you, Joe...

Okay, Joe, thanks for helping me out here 😛

Anybody else got any idea as to whether this is normal, a problem, or what?

Thanks,
Randy

 

[back alley]

seriously, i think the meter has to be the weakest part of the cl body.
on the one body i have the needle sticks till i move the shutter speed dial but does not fire up when i move the aperture ring.
on the other body the needle moves with either plus it does not seem to stck at all.

 

[vrgard]

Thanks, Joe. Perhaps I'll have the meter worked on. Remind me who the CL guru is (Sherry Krauter? DAG?)?

 

[JoeFriday]

I recently had my CL CLA'd by DAG.. a meter adjustment, including calibrating to work with modern batteries, cost about $90.. I haven't noticed any peculiarities with mine.. but are you factoring in that each click on the aperture scale might be less than 1 stop? the Leica lenses generally are a half stop click.. if you're looking at the meter in the viewfinder as you turn the aperture and count clicks, it's 2 clicks per stop.. but only 1 click per shutter speed

 

[vrgard]

Thanks, Brett. Good point, but yeah, I took that into account. Sounds like it's time to send my CL off to DAG for a CLA.

The weird thing, though, is that the meter needle is very responsive to changes in the shutter speed setting but not to changes in aperture setting. I don't understand why one would cause the meter to appear to work fine yet not the other. Anyone got any ideas?

 

[wlewisiii]

Mine will go to DAG eventually. While I have heard very good things about Sherry, I know the work DAG does from my Canon & lens work he's done for me. Very good work... 🙂

As for responsiveness, I think it's because the aperture adjusts the light falling on the element (over a nearly spot meter pattern...) while the shutter is probably simply adjusting a potentiometer that is directly in the circut. That will inherently cause a faster reaction due to the physics of electricity 😉

William

 

[vrgard]

Mine will go to DAG eventually. While I have heard very good things about Sherry, I know the work DAG does from my Canon & lens work he's done for me. Very good work... 🙂

As for responsiveness, I think it's because the aperture adjusts the light falling on the element (over a nearly spot meter pattern...) while the shutter is probably simply adjusting a potentiometer that is directly in the circut. That will inherently cause a faster reaction due to the physics of electricity 😉

William

Thanks, William. Yeah, I guess that makes sense. And my meter seems to work fine in that my shots come out good with this camera. I've looked at the negatives taken with this camera and they look very properly exposed. But I still wonder why my CL behaves this way and Joe's doesn't. How about yours, William? Do you notice a difference in meter needle movement with aperture versus shutter speed adjustments?

 

[wlewisiii]

Mine? Eh, well, see it has this little problem. There was this owner (stop looking at me) who didn't know what he was doing and tried to save money adjusting his meter via an article found on the net...

Needless to say I currently do not have any battery in my CL & use a handheld or Sunny-16. Be happy to check if you care to donate a fix to offset my stupidity :bang:

William

 

[ampguy]

very interesting stuff.

 

[vrgard]

Mine? Eh, well, see it has this little problem. There was this owner (stop looking at me) who didn't know what he was doing and tried to save money adjusting his meter via an article found on the net...

Needless to say I currently do not have any battery in my CL & use a handheld or Sunny-16. Be happy to check if you care to donate a fix to offset my stupidity :bang:

William

Sorry to hear, William, of the unfortunate mishap with your CL. 🙁

And thanks again for your CL meter thoughts.

-Randy

 

[Bailey]

Thanks, William. Yeah, I guess that makes sense. And my meter seems to work fine in that my shots come out good with this camera. I've looked at the negatives taken with this camera and they look very properly exposed. But I still wonder why my CL behaves this way and Joe's doesn't. How about yours, William? Do you notice a difference in meter needle movement with aperture versus shutter speed adjustments?

I was concerned about the meter in my new CL as well, but my pictures came back looking fine. Then, with the help of some nice people around this forum, I realized that all of the meter irregularities that I was having were in low light situations. I think anything lower than EV 5 or 6 and it starts losing accuracy. Not sure if this relates to your problem though.

B