I've recently been doing an increased amount of personal work in B&W (color tran sparency & color negative have previously accounted for >95% of my images). Thi s has gotten me interested in a real spotmeter. In following several previous n otes on spotmeters, it seems like a large number of folks like the Pentax digita l spotmeter because of it's built-in Zone System capabilities (i.e. Adams sugges ted zone scale from The Negative) and it's simplicity.
I recently tried one of these meters in a store, and can appreciate it's simplic ity and direct relationship to the Zone System via the mechanical dials. I also tried the Minolta Spotmeter F, and experienced the out-of-the-box complexity ot hers have talked about. I did like the Minolta viewfinder better because of the more centered spot view and the fact that the spot doesn't get lost when meteri ng something black as it does on the Pentax. Given my color & B&W use of a spot meter, it seems like the Minolta might be the better choice.
For Zone System use, the Minolta can be used in a very simplistic way - just hav e it readout EV values which is what the Pentax does. What is missing is a mech anical calculator which relates this EV value to a Zone and consequent exposure. In a very short amount of time I designed a simple calculator which does this, and also allows you to set a filter correction factor (which the Pentax DSM doe sn't do). Does anyone know if such a mechanical calculator already exists? Suc h an item would probably have superior construction and longevity vs. any cardbo ard creation I made. Such a calculator could even have the grey shades relating to the zones printed on the calculator for reference. I know the downside of t his approach is you end-up with one more thing to carry and keep track of, but t he Minolta meter does seem superior for color work.
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