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VlaDjinn · 10-16-2020, 09:35 AM

So, i bought mint MZ-6 with original manual but it's very poorly written and i was fail to find the section about spot metering option.

Here is the link to the manual.

Please let me know if you are know how to enable this feature.

stevebrot · 10-16-2020, 10:33 AM

Welcome to the Pentax Forums!

While your MZ-6 does allow for "spot" auto-focus, it only supports multi-segment metering with option for spot metering.

Edit: Eric's note below tells how to use this poorly documented feature that is not in the published specs.

Steve

**TwoUptons** · 10-16-2020, 11:06 AM - **1 Like**

If I'm remembering right, if you set custom Pentax Function 5 to "SP", then it will use the spot meter when you use the meter lock (AE-L) button on the back.

I think that's the only way to use the spot, so it won't 'normally' meter with the spot meter, only when you AE-lock it...

The other options use the multi-segment meter...

-Eric

stevebrot · 10-16-2020, 11:49 AM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

If I'm remembering right, if you set custom Pentax Function 5 to "SP", then it will use the spot meter when you use the meter lock (AE-L) button on the back.

I think that's the only way to use the spot, so it won't 'normally' meter with the spot meter, only when you AE-lock it...

The other options use the multi-segment meter...

-Eric

Thanks for the clarification and function setting reference. I was going from the published specifications and the manual outside of the Pentax Functions. Does the camera give an indication it is using spot metering?

Steve

**TwoUptons** · 10-16-2020, 12:00 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

Thanks for the clarification and function setting reference. I was going from the published specifications and the manual outside of the Pentax Functions. Does the camera give an indication it is using spot metering?

Steve

It only indicates that you've locked the exposure with an asterix in the viewfinder, not the basis.
A quick scroll through the Pentax Functions will show, though...

I was fiddling with it a few minutes ago, pointing it at a crystal chandelier, and it did change values when I locked, so it had obviously switched something -- presumably from the averaging metering to spot...

I've always had mine set that way, but I don't know if it's the default or if I just wanted it that way...

-Eric

VlaDjinn · 10-17-2020, 07:08 AM

Got it!
Thanks a lot for the explanation, Eric and Steve.
It's not really that easy to use, so I'll buy a separate exposure meter.

**TwoUptons** · 10-17-2020, 05:06 PM

Originally posted by VlaDjinn

Got it!
Thanks a lot for the explanation, Eric and Steve.
It's not really that easy to use, so I'll buy a separate exposure meter.

I've found the meter in the ZX-L one of the best I've ever used in a film camera.
It does really well and is hard to fool...

-Eric

10-16-2020, 09:35 AM	#1
VlaDjinn New Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 2	Pentax MZ-6 (same as ZX-L) How to eneble spot mettering? So, i bought mint MZ-6 with original manual but it's very poorly written and i was fail to find the section about spot metering option. Here is the link to the manual. Please let me know if you are know how to enable this feature.

10-16-2020, 10:33 AM	#2
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Welcome to the Pentax Forums! While your MZ-6 does allow for "spot" auto-focus, it only supports multi-segment metering with option for spot metering. Edit: Eric's note below tells how to use this poorly documented feature that is not in the published specs. Steve Last edited by stevebrot; 10-16-2020 at 11:50 AM.

10-16-2020, 11:06 AM - 1 Like	#3
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	If I'm remembering right, if you set custom Pentax Function 5 to "SP", then it will use the spot meter when you use the meter lock (AE-L) button on the back. I think that's the only way to use the spot, so it won't 'normally' meter with the spot meter, only when you AE-lock it... The other options use the multi-segment meter... -Eric Last edited by TwoUptons; 10-16-2020 at 11:10 AM. Reason: added clarity

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10-16-2020, 11:49 AM	#4
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by TwoUptons If I'm remembering right, if you set custom Pentax Function 5 to "SP", then it will use the spot meter when you use the meter lock (AE-L) button on the back. I think that's the only way to use the spot, so it won't 'normally' meter with the spot meter, only when you AE-lock it... The other options use the multi-segment meter... -Eric Thanks for the clarification and function setting reference. I was going from the published specifications and the manual outside of the Pentax Functions. Does the camera give an indication it is using spot metering? Steve

10-16-2020, 12:00 PM	#5
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	Originally posted by stevebrot Thanks for the clarification and function setting reference. I was going from the published specifications and the manual outside of the Pentax Functions. Does the camera give an indication it is using spot metering? Steve It only indicates that you've locked the exposure with an asterix in the viewfinder, not the basis. A quick scroll through the Pentax Functions will show, though... I was fiddling with it a few minutes ago, pointing it at a crystal chandelier, and it did change values when I locked, so it had obviously switched something -- presumably from the averaging metering to spot... I've always had mine set that way, but I don't know if it's the default or if I just wanted it that way... -Eric

10-17-2020, 07:08 AM	#6
VlaDjinn New Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Posts: 2 Original Poster	Got it! Thanks a lot for the explanation, Eric and Steve. It's not really that easy to use, so I'll buy a separate exposure meter.

10-17-2020, 05:06 PM	#7
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	Originally posted by VlaDjinn Got it! Thanks a lot for the explanation, Eric and Steve. It's not really that easy to use, so I'll buy a separate exposure meter. I've found the meter in the ZX-L one of the best I've ever used in a film camera. It does really well and is hard to fool... -Eric

Pentax MZ-6 (same as ZX-L) How to eneble spot mettering?

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