MX Metering Question

Simian Summit · 03-07-2011, 04:09 AM

I recently got my MX CLAed and everything looked good. However, I recently noticed that my camera wouldn't meter a 1 or 1/2 second. When I used it to try and meter for some night shots I increased the film speed to 1600 (from 400) and then I noticed that it wouldn't meter at anything less than 1/8 s, but it returned to normal when I decreased the film speed. Does anyone know if this is normal?

Elliot

Wheatfield · 03-07-2011, 06:07 AM

You are running the meter out of it's range. The MX meters from Ev1 to EV19.

**asaru** · 03-07-2011, 08:01 AM - **1 Like**

The operating range of the MX meter is in the manual on page 22

http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/mf/pentax_mx_manual_s.pdf
(the password is "Pentax", capital P).

If you had 400 asa film in there, and then 1600, then you know the calibration's been done to factory spec!

Try ASA 100 film -- or 200 to get 1/2 sec metering at least.

Simian Summit · 03-07-2011, 10:07 AM

Thanks for the direction...That's the problem of getting a second (third? maybe fourth?) hand camera...no instructions.

stevebrot · 03-07-2011, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by Wheatfield

You are running the meter out of it's range. The MX meters from Ev1 to EV19

This is a common issue that is hugely under-appreciated. Ev 1 represents an exposure of 1 second at f/1 (2 seconds at f/1.4). When used to express meter sensitivity it is taken to mean the amount of light that would yield that exposure at ISO 100. You don't have to go very dark to hit those kind of numbers. The situation gets even worse when doing stop-down metering. FWIW, the meter in your MX has sensitivity similar to current Pentax digital bodies.

Steve

Steve

GeneV · 03-08-2011, 06:44 AM

Originally posted by stevebrot

This is a common issue that is hugely under-appreciated. Ev 1 represents an exposure of 1 second at f/1 (2 seconds at f/1.4). When used to express meter sensitivity it is taken to mean the amount of light that would yield that exposure at ISO 100. You don't have to go very dark to hit those kind of numbers. The situation gets even worse when doing stop-down metering. FWIW, the meter in your MX has sensitivity similar to current Pentax digital bodies.
Steve

Another point for the thread about what is so great about the LX.

stevebrot · 03-08-2011, 08:43 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

Another point for the thread about what is so great about the LX.

I had never looked up the LX meter specs...-6.5-20...pretty incredible. That leaves my Gossen LunaLux in the dust and the Gossen is almost as big as the LX

Steve

Last edited by stevebrot; 03-08-2011 at 08:50 AM.

Simian Summit · 03-08-2011, 10:27 AM

Originally posted by GeneV

Another point for the thread about what is so great about the LX.

I guess, who needs low light-metering, when you can meter off the film. I'm sure that it beats the guess-o-meter for those night shots.

03-07-2011, 04:09 AM	#1
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146	MX Metering Question I recently got my MX CLAed and everything looked good. However, I recently noticed that my camera wouldn't meter a 1 or 1/2 second. When I used it to try and meter for some night shots I increased the film speed to 1600 (from 400) and then I noticed that it wouldn't meter at anything less than 1/8 s, but it returned to normal when I decreased the film speed. Does anyone know if this is normal? Elliot

03-07-2011, 08:01 AM - 1 Like	#3
asaru Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Edmonton/Vancouver, Canada Photos: Albums Posts: 301	The operating range of the MX meter is in the manual on page 22 http://pentax-manuals.com/manuals/mf/pentax_mx_manual_s.pdf (the password is "Pentax", capital P). If you had 400 asa film in there, and then 1600, then you know the calibration's been done to factory spec! Try ASA 100 film -- or 200 to get 1/2 sec metering at least. Last edited by asaru; 03-07-2011 at 09:06 AM.

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03-07-2011, 06:07 AM	#2
Wheatfield Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The wheatfields of Canada Posts: 15,981	You are running the meter out of it's range. The MX meters from Ev1 to EV19.

03-07-2011, 10:07 AM	#4
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146 Original Poster	Thanks for the direction...That's the problem of getting a second (third? maybe fourth?) hand camera...no instructions.

03-07-2011, 08:39 PM	#5
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by Wheatfield You are running the meter out of it's range. The MX meters from Ev1 to EV19 This is a common issue that is hugely under-appreciated. Ev 1 represents an exposure of 1 second at f/1 (2 seconds at f/1.4). When used to express meter sensitivity it is taken to mean the amount of light that would yield that exposure at ISO 100. You don't have to go very dark to hit those kind of numbers. The situation gets even worse when doing stop-down metering. FWIW, the meter in your MX has sensitivity similar to current Pentax digital bodies. Steve Steve

03-08-2011, 06:44 AM	#6
GeneV Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Photos: Albums Posts: 9,830	Originally posted by stevebrot This is a common issue that is hugely under-appreciated. Ev 1 represents an exposure of 1 second at f/1 (2 seconds at f/1.4). When used to express meter sensitivity it is taken to mean the amount of light that would yield that exposure at ISO 100. You don't have to go very dark to hit those kind of numbers. The situation gets even worse when doing stop-down metering. FWIW, the meter in your MX has sensitivity similar to current Pentax digital bodies. Steve Another point for the thread about what is so great about the LX.

03-08-2011, 08:43 AM	#7
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by GeneV Another point for the thread about what is so great about the LX. I had never looked up the LX meter specs...-6.5-20...pretty incredible. That leaves my Gossen LunaLux in the dust and the Gossen is almost as big as the LX Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 03-08-2011 at 08:50 AM.

03-08-2011, 10:27 AM	#8
Simian Summit Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Hamilton Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 146 Original Poster	Originally posted by GeneV Another point for the thread about what is so great about the LX. I guess, who needs low light-metering, when you can meter off the film. I'm sure that it beats the guess-o-meter for those night shots.