Spotatic SP II - How to meter inbetween the ASA marks

johnpbuck · 05-21-2016, 07:14 PM

Hi all,

Was wondering if anyone can help me with this. I've been trying to push a couple of rolls of Tri-x which is something I haven't done before. The first roll I shot at 1600. The second roll I wanted to shoot at 1200. However when you try to set the asa dial exactly halfwaybetween 1600 and 800 the circular dial doesn't go back down correctly, it doesn't stick. There are two markers without numbers inbetween where it does stick, so which of these markers is current to allow me to push a stop and a half (1200)?

Stevopedia · 05-21-2016, 07:46 PM

The film speed settings on Spotmatics of all descriptions (and, actually, all film Pentaxes afaik) are in thirds of a stop, so unfortunately you can't set it exactly halfway. Fortunately for you, though, 1250 is exactly 1/3 stop slower than 1600. Try that!

johnpbuck · 05-21-2016, 08:01 PM

Originally posted by Stevopedia

The film speed settings on Spotmatics of all descriptions (and, actually, all film Pentaxes afaik) are in thirds of a stop, so unfortunately you can't set it exactly halfway. Fortunately for you, though, 1250 is exactly 1/3 stop slower than 1600. Try that!

Thanks a lot for your quick response that is super helpful. And then I just let the lab know its pushed to 1250 and I'm good to go?

Stevopedia · 05-22-2016, 06:12 AM

Yup, that should be all you need to do.

Xmas · 05-22-2016, 06:22 AM

The user manual ...

Pentax Spotmatic instruction manual, user guide

---------- Post added 05-22-16 at 03:07 PM ----------

DIY?

ILFORD PHOTO - Processing a Black & White film

johnpbuck · 05-22-2016, 07:30 AM

Thanks. I did check the usual manual online but it doesn't seem to mention the third stops inbetween the numbered markings.

05-21-2016, 07:14 PM	#1
johnpbuck New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 3	Spotatic SP II - How to meter inbetween the ASA marks Hi all, Was wondering if anyone can help me with this. I've been trying to push a couple of rolls of Tri-x which is something I haven't done before. The first roll I shot at 1600. The second roll I wanted to shoot at 1200. However when you try to set the asa dial exactly halfwaybetween 1600 and 800 the circular dial doesn't go back down correctly, it doesn't stick. There are two markers without numbers inbetween where it does stick, so which of these markers is current to allow me to push a stop and a half (1200)?

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05-21-2016, 07:46 PM	#2
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	The film speed settings on Spotmatics of all descriptions (and, actually, all film Pentaxes afaik) are in thirds of a stop, so unfortunately you can't set it exactly halfway. Fortunately for you, though, 1250 is exactly 1/3 stop slower than 1600. Try that!

05-21-2016, 08:01 PM	#3
johnpbuck New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Originally posted by Stevopedia The film speed settings on Spotmatics of all descriptions (and, actually, all film Pentaxes afaik) are in thirds of a stop, so unfortunately you can't set it exactly halfway. Fortunately for you, though, 1250 is exactly 1/3 stop slower than 1600. Try that! Thanks a lot for your quick response that is super helpful. And then I just let the lab know its pushed to 1250 and I'm good to go?

05-22-2016, 06:12 AM	#4
Stevopedia Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: South Carolina, USA Posts: 273	Yup, that should be all you need to do.

05-22-2016, 06:22 AM	#5
Xmas Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 617	The user manual ... Pentax Spotmatic instruction manual, user guide ---------- Post added 05-22-16 at 03:07 PM ---------- DIY? ILFORD PHOTO - Processing a Black & White film

05-22-2016, 07:30 AM	#6
johnpbuck New Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 3 Original Poster	Thanks. I did check the usual manual online but it doesn't seem to mention the third stops inbetween the numbered markings.