Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 13

Thread: pentax digital spot meter calibration

  1. #1
    Landscape Addict
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    434

    pentax digital spot meter calibration

    My pentax spot is out by 1 full stop. Today when shooting waterfalls with friends we were discussing exposure times, I seemed to be under by a stop so I checked my meter against 3 others. All agreed mine was under. Despite the 9 rolls of film in the lab at the moment that will all be under exposed, I shot another 3 this past week that will all be under also. For the moment I can meter, then expose 1 stop above the meter reading to compensate, but essentially I want the meter adjusted so I can trust it. Anyone have any clues as to where I can have this done?
    Chamonix 045N-2 - 65/5.6 - 90/8 - 210/5.6 - Fomapan 100 & T-Max 100 in Rodinal
    Alexartphotography

  2. #2

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    grand rapids
    Posts
    3,851

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    richard ritter, the guy
    or
    quality light & metric

  3. #3
    Landscape Addict
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    434

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    Contacted RR.

    Thanks Vinny. Appreciated.
    Chamonix 045N-2 - 65/5.6 - 90/8 - 210/5.6 - Fomapan 100 & T-Max 100 in Rodinal
    Alexartphotography

  4. #4
    Eric Biggerstaff
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    1,327

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    It doesn't need to read the same as the others, it only needs to be linear. My meter doesn't read the same as several of my friends, and their meters don't always agree. I get great results because I tested my materials to work with the meter readings I have. When I get it re-calibrated then I normally have to re-test to make sure my exposure and development have not changed. Only re-calibrate if it is really really needed and then test. By the way, Richard did my last re-calibration several years ago and it was great.
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

  5. #5

    Join Date
    Dec 1997
    Location
    Baraboo, Wisconsin
    Posts
    7,697

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    One stop under, especially with b&w film (maybe color negative too, I have no experience with color negative film) is no big deal. I wouldn't worry about it, you might lose a little shadow detail but unless the shadow detail was a critical part of a particular photograph it won't matter much if at all. And who knows, it could help prevent some important highlights from being blown out.
    Brian Ellis
    Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you do criticize them you'll be
    a mile away and you'll have their shoes.

  6. #6
    Eric Biggerstaff
    Join Date
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Denver, Colorado
    Posts
    1,327

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    http://www.alanrossphotography.com/2...ation/#more-57

    Here is a good link from Alan Ross, good information to read and may help you.
    Eric Biggerstaff

    www.ericbiggerstaff.com

  7. #7

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    grand rapids
    Posts
    3,851

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    I've had bad experiences with QLM and Pocket Spot, so I won't comment on Alan's link. I think QLM does good work, just not in the one in$tance I used them.

  8. #8
    Landscape Addict
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    434

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    Eric - I guess, As long as I remember to shoot one stop over what it tells me to shoot, it will be fine. After much testing yesterday it seems very linear, 1 to 1.3 stops over in many different conditions..

    Brian Ellis - I shoot Velvia slides... 1 stop under is pretty horrendous..

    When Richard Ritter gets back to me I will see if I choose to compensate for the meters difference or if I choose to get it re-calibrated.
    Chamonix 045N-2 - 65/5.6 - 90/8 - 210/5.6 - Fomapan 100 & T-Max 100 in Rodinal
    Alexartphotography

  9. #9

    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    grand rapids
    Posts
    3,851

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    fwiw, I've owned lots of spot meters and two of the pentax's weren't reading correctly because the reading wasn't taking place in the reticle (little circle in viewfinder), they were off by a few mm's. Very apparent when reading something like the edge of a sunlit building vs. the shadow side right next to it. Ritter can fix that too. He quoted me $75 I believe a couple years back.

  10. #10
    Landscape Addict
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
    Location
    Brisbane, Australia
    Posts
    434

    Re: pentax digital spot meter calibration

    $75 to $100 would be fine by me even with the costs of shipping it from Aussie land to US and back... I will just be happy to have it working 100% as it should.

    I will test tonight to see if its reading from outside the reticule or if the reading is just out.
    Chamonix 045N-2 - 65/5.6 - 90/8 - 210/5.6 - Fomapan 100 & T-Max 100 in Rodinal
    Alexartphotography

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •