Auto vs. Manual on Spotmatic

captmorgan23 · 06-23-2013, 03:16 PM - **1 Like**

Honeywell Spotmatic:
I am confused. After getting my light meter to work, I noticed that when using the Auto vs Manual switch on my Super Takumar 55mm 1.8 it seems to work opposite than what is supposed to. I was under the impression that when switched to Auto the lens would be wide open no matter what aperture it is set at. Mine seems to be the opposite. When it is in manual mode it is wide open until pushing the shutter release, but in Auto it is stopped down to whatever aperture is set. What gives?

vladimiroltean · 06-23-2013, 03:18 PM - **1 Like**

When "Auto" is visible, it's on Auto.

captmorgan23 · 06-23-2013, 03:20 PM

Wow, I'm an idiot.

stevebrot · 06-23-2013, 04:30 PM

I had never really stopped to think about it! With about half my M42 lenses, the switch covers the label as with the Takumars. With the rest, both A and M are visible with arrows indicating which way to slide the switch. The direction, BTW, is not consistent between brands or even within brand. Neither is the location of the switch (top vs. bottom vs. which side).

Last edited by stevebrot; 06-23-2013 at 04:42 PM.

**Canada_Rockies** · 06-23-2013, 05:20 PM

Originally posted by captmorgan23

Wow, I'm an idiot.

Welcome to a not very exclusive club. My middle initial is "K" for klutz some days.

06-23-2013, 03:16 PM - 1 Like	#1
captmorgan23 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 18	Auto vs. Manual on Spotmatic Honeywell Spotmatic: I am confused. After getting my light meter to work, I noticed that when using the Auto vs Manual switch on my Super Takumar 55mm 1.8 it seems to work opposite than what is supposed to. I was under the impression that when switched to Auto the lens would be wide open no matter what aperture it is set at. Mine seems to be the opposite. When it is in manual mode it is wide open until pushing the shutter release, but in Auto it is stopped down to whatever aperture is set. What gives?

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06-23-2013, 03:18 PM - 1 Like	#2
vladimiroltean Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Bucharest, Romania Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,465	When "Auto" is visible, it's on Auto.

06-23-2013, 03:20 PM	#3
captmorgan23 New Member Join Date: May 2013 Posts: 18 Original Poster	Wow, I'm an idiot.

06-23-2013, 04:30 PM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	I had never really stopped to think about it! With about half my M42 lenses, the switch covers the label as with the Takumars. With the rest, both A and M are visible with arrows indicating which way to slide the switch. The direction, BTW, is not consistent between brands or even within brand. Neither is the location of the switch (top vs. bottom vs. which side). Last edited by stevebrot; 06-23-2013 at 04:42 PM.

06-23-2013, 05:20 PM	#5
Canada_Rockies Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sparwood, BC, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 12,385	Originally posted by captmorgan23 Wow, I'm an idiot. Welcome to a not very exclusive club. My middle initial is "K" for klutz some days.