User manual MINOLTA FLASH METER VI

[. . . ] FLASH METER VI Instruction Manual Manuel d'instructions The essentials of imaging L'essentiel de l'image E F Instruction Manual FLASH METER VI Thank you for purchasing the MINOLTA FLASH METER VI. The Minolta Flash Meter VI has the following features: The integrated exposure meter combines incident light measurement and spot (reflected light) measurement in a single unit. For spot measurement, the Flash Meter VI uses a parallax-free optical system. This eliminates the displacement of the measurement area that varies with the distance from the subject. [. . . ] (Set the shutter speed within the flash sync speed range of your camera. ) Turning the up/down dial upward increases the shutter speed. The shutter speed can also be changed after meter readings. 4 Press the incident light measuring button. The NON CORD mode symbol blinks to indicate that the meter is waiting for the flash to take a reading. Pressing the spot measuring button displays the error code ("Err"). Pressing the incident light measuring button cancels the error code and sets the meter to standby state. The error code is canceled after about five seconds or as soon as another button is pressed. E32 E33 Basic Operation Basic Operation Display example 5 Fire the flash to take a reading. The meter detects the light of the flash and reads and displays the exposure on the digital readout. The measured value is also displayed on the dot indicator of the analog scale, and the proportion of flash light is indicated on the analyze scale. one minute after the meter goes into flash waiting mode, or if you press any button other than the measuring button during this time, the NON CORD mode symbol will stop blinking (stay on). To restore the meter to standby state, press the incident light measuring button again. In the standby state, the meter may mistake ambient light from an intermittent light source (such as a fluorescent light) for flash light, depending on the type of ambient light. Fire the flash according to the directions given in the users' manual for the flash. The f-number corresponding to the shutter speed set in step 3 is displayed on the digital readout as well as on the analog scale with a pointer ( ). Example: The display shows a reading of F8. 0 + 0. 9 stops, and the proportion of ambient light to flash light is about 1:1. If the f-number reading is outside the meter's display range, "FNo. " blinks and the display shows either "­ O ­ " (over-range error) or "­ U ­" (under-range error). At the same time, the over-range/under-range error indicator ( or ) appears on the analog scale. E34 If the f-number reading exceeds or falls below the meter's measuring range, the display shows "E. o. " (over-range error) or "E. u. " (under-range error). E35 Basic Operation Basic Operation Using the up/down dial to change the shutter speed to 1/15, we can see how this change will affect the mix of ambient and flash light. The aperture has changed to F4. 03 and now, only one quadrant is lit up. This indicates that the proportion of flash light is now only 25% (ambient:flash ratio =3:1). A photograph taken under these conditions will be influenced more strongly by the tungsten light (orange) and less strongly by the flash light (white). Light Ratio Analyze function For flash light measurement, the Flash Meter VI uses a method of measuring flash light/ambient light separately. The proportion of ambient light and flash light to the total exposure is indicated on the quadrant analyze scale. How to read the flash/ambient light ratio : 0 ~ 16% :17 ~ 41% :42 ~ 58% :59 ~ 83% :84 ~ 100% Whenever you take a flash light reading, the analyze scale is displayed on the LCD data panel. After a reading, you can also do a simulation to see how changes to the shutter speed affect the proportions of ambient light and flash light. The analyze scale shows the proportion of flash light in the total exposure reading as one of five levels. On the other hand, increasing the shutter speed (within the range of sync) will have the opposite effect-photos will be more strongly influenced by flash light (white) than ambient light. Example of reading, display and simulation Assume that a tungsten lamp is used as the ambient light source. Two quadrants are lit up on the display, indicating that the proportion of flash light is approx. 50% (ambient:flash ratio =1:1). A photograph taken under these conditions will not be strongly influenced by either the tungsten light (orange) or the flash light (white). This simulation is based on controlling the ambient light by varying the shutter speed. The proportions of ambient light and flash light can also be adjusted by changing the intensity of the flash light. The intensity of flash light can be controlled either by varying the distance between the subject and the flash, or by changing the power (light output) of the flash. [. . . ] It is recommended that the meter be stored in an airtight container together with a drying agent such as silica gel. 2) Do not leave the meter in places such as the rear window or trunk of a car, otherwise it will get extremely hot, resulting in damage. 3) Remove the battery whenever the meter is left unused for more than 2 weeks, to avoid the risk of damage due to battery leakage. Common accessories Item 4X Spherical ND Diffuser 8X Spherical ND Diffuser Spot Mask Condition Set exposure correction to +2. 0Ev. Nothing particular Only the accessories shown above may be used with the Flash Meter VI. E74 E75 Handling Instructions 1) If the meter is used in the rain, at the seashore, or near a volcano, it may become rusty or corroded due to water or corrosive gas. [. . . ]