Light meters
Kenko Auto DIGI Meter User manual
User manual for Kenko Auto DIGI Meter. 37 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Kenko
- Model / document
- Kenko Auto DIGI Meter
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 37
- File size
- 2.9 MB
- Category
- Light meters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 6 · Read text
Names of Parts and Displav-s .,'..:iW
Data paneldisplays 2. Shutterspeed/framing-ratedisplay
For the purpose of explanation, the diagram on pages 5 and 6 shows all indicators Displaysthecurrentshutterspeedorframing-rate,whichis setwiththat light up on the LCD. theup/downcontrol.
Whenshutterspeedis between0.6 to 5O sec,s is displayed;
I betweenI min.and30 mln.,m is displayed.
t . - - - - - - - - - Settingrange:Shutterspeed:30 min.to I /8OOOsec.(l, I /2, I /3 stops)
I i Pointers : Framing-rate:8 to 128 f/s' L i r- - -t- -t.-r.--- =-. --= --. l-. -t=---=-r r.---=-=--= -- - -, i 3. Film speed display
ilftftffftft>i-e0!- lDisplaysthe film speed,whichis set usingthe ISObuttonand 1s2232[5 64 up/downcontrol.Alt is displayedwhenthe meteris in Fl L mode.
Settingrange:ISO3 to 8000
4. Over-/ under-range indicators
O or (! blinksif the readingis out of the meter'smeasurement
rangeor displayrange.
_--rc.1 F, r-r rq r-l \tz-f 5. Digital readout HFi,ftltfK Nor-tcoRDAMBI Displaysthe f-number(whendisplayunitsare set to FNo,)or
exposurevalue(whendisplayunitsare set to Ev),in incrementsof
3 4 0. I stops.
Whenmeasuringflashlight,onlythe f-number(FNo.)is displayed.
Whenmeasuringbrightnessdifference,readingsaredisplayedin AEv.
Displayrange:f-number(FNo.)1.0 to g0+O.9stops
l. Analogscale / Pointers Exposurevalue(Ev)-17 Lo40.8
Pointers mark FNo. (f-number)values.
Pointers light up to indicate measurement values (f-number)on
an analog scale. When using the memory function or other
functions, up to four pointers can be lit up at the same time,
indicating two readings in memory (two pointers),the average of
these two values, and the latest measurement value.
The small digit to the right of the two-digit reading (f-number)on
the digital readout indicates a fractional value between stoos.
The value shown on the analog display is rounded down or up to
the nearest 0.5 stops (0.2 stops is rounded down to 0, O.3 and
0.7 stops are rounded to O.5, and 0.8 stops is rounded up to I ,
i.e. the next full stop).
) lights up if a reading is under the instrument's display range.
{ lights up if a reading is over the instrument'swww.orphancameras.comdisplay range.View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Data paneldisplays
8. Measuringmodedisplay
Press the MODE button repeatedly to select and display one of the
three measuring modes: AMBI, GORD or NON CORD. The measuring
mode changes in the following order each time the MODE button is
pressed: AMBI * GORD * NON CORD * AillBl ...
9. Reflected-lightindicator
This indicatorlightsup whenyou use a reflected-lightattachmentor
f t t t t t t t t t t t t f f t t t t t t f t > Spotfinder5i
2 2.84 5,68 11162232456490: I O. Analyze scale
TIME CINEMSflS FNo.^/EV This indicatesthe approximateproportionof flashlightin the total
exposurewhenmeasuringflashlight.
I l Flash light measuring indicator FtFtFtTt_.8=iff. This indicatorlightsup duringmeasurementin CORDmodeand n n ilON CORDmode. '"o 'l nn,FtFt 2. Brightness difference function indicator
This indlcatorlightsup whenyou pressthe Ao (S/A/Hcalculation)
button.Fordetailsof the brightnessdifferencefunction,see page
22. I
t o
6. Memoryindicator
When you press the M button to store a reading in memory, one
of these dots lights up. lf one reading is stored in memory, one
dot is displayed;if two readings are in memory, two dots are
displayed.
7. S/A/H (Calculationmode) indicators
El: This lights up when you press theAo (S/A/H calculation)
button.
ItlEl: S or H can be selected by using the up/down control
while holding down theAo(S/A,/H calculation) button during
reflected-lightreadings. (When you use a reflected-light
attachment or Spotfinder 5l )
Select to El measure the exposure of shadow areas;
**r*ry** select to lX measure highlight areas.View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Battery
l\ wnnrro n Ji:fH[f";]f ,lll?,1'5;3?J:i:?,j6:fX'::l ,i; t:lia"r,rji:i:!E
Do not use any batteriesotherthan thosedesignatedfor use with the instrument.Whenfitting batteries,makesureto alignthem
A ClUfnru accordingto the polarityshownon the instrument(plus"+"and minus"-"). Otherwisethereis a riskthat the batteriesmayleakorbecome
damaged,leadingto fire,iniuryor pollutionof the surroundingenvironment.
ff{,:,' led*-'*4i':i;;:'r:f:::iir;: I;uii',:i'tiliTryWryffifr:ryffTryffi$mrglllrtl'.11;ll;.
The instrumentuses a singlealkalinedry cell (LR-6/AA/.|.5V).
Be sure to use only specifiedbatteries.
2. Inserting
$r
I
0 0 0 ! r
IlFlemovethe battery Ellnsert the battery with the ElReplacethe battery
chambercoverby slidineit plus (+) and minusC) ends chambercover.
lightlyin the directionof orientedaccordingto the
the arrow. diagramin the battery
chamber.
*lnsertthebatterycorrectlyto
avoid malfunction.www.orphancameras.com sryffi"" tu:, 7View original page 8Page 10 · Read text
SeleCting a measufing methOd t.tncident{iehtreadinss
You can choosebetweentwo measuringmethods-incident-light Whenperformingincident-lightreadings.use the SphericalDiffuserfor
readingand reflected-lightreading.accordingto the shooting three-dimensionalsubjectssuch as portraits,and architecturalor
conditionsor purposeof the image. landscapephotographs.Use the Flat Diffuser(optionalaccessory)
whenyou photographflat surfacessuch as documentsor paintings,or
Whenusedwith its variousaccessories,the KenkoAUTODlGlIVETER whenyouwant to measurelightingratio (Seepaee28 .).
KFM-I i OOcan performexposuremeasurementsin eltherof these two
ways.To performan incident-lightreadins,the KenkoAUTODlGl Attachlng the Spherical Removing the SphericalIVETEFKFIV-IIOO is usedwiththe SphericalDiffuseror Flat Diffuser.
To performa reflected-liehtreading,the meteris usedwith the Oifnl"O Biffus€r
Spotfinder5" (acceptanceangleof 5') or reflected-lightattachment Alicnthe whitedot on the Rotatethe diffuseranticlockwise
(acceptanceangle4O"). diffuserwith the indexon the untillt stops.and pullthe
meterreceptorhead,pushthe diffuserto detachit.
The SphericalDiffuserfor incident-lightreadingsis suppliedas a diffuser into the receptor head,
standardaccessorywith the AUTO DlGl METERKFM-l 100. and turn the diffuserclockwise
Accessoriesother than the SphericalDiffuserare sold separately.(See until it stops.
p a g e 3 1 )
To take an incident-light reading, Fosition the meter near the
subject and aim the Spherical Diffuser directly at the camera.
OThereceptorcan rotatethrougha rangeof 27Oodegrees,so that you can use
the meterin an almostanyphotographicconfiguration.
www.orphancameras.comView original page 10Page 19 · Read text
ffi'$gd$Hiti|p$$b speration
*When measuring flash light using commercially available sync cord
(CORD mode), the flash may fail to fire (e.e. if the trigger voltage
of the flash is too low). ln this case, take a reading without sync
firing the flash (NON CORD mode).
lf the reading is outside the measurementrange of the instrument,E (error)
will be displayedon the digital readout,and O (over)or U (under)will
blinkto indicatethat the measurementis out of range.
l.View original page 19Page 21 · Read text
Wlniiiiiiffi#,.gperation
Olf the flash does not fire within approx.one minute after the meter Display example
goes into flash waiting mode, or if you press any button other than
the measuringbutton duringthis time, the NON GORD mode symbol
will stop blinking(stay on). Then, even if you fire the flash, no reading
will be made To change back to flash waiting mode, press the
measuringbutton again.
When in NON COBD waiting mode, there is a slight risk that the
meter makes an incorrectreading,by mistakingan intermittentlight The f-numbercorrespondingto the lf the readingis outside the
source,e.g. fluorescentlight, as flash light shutter speed set in step 3 is measurementrange of this meter,
To avoid this risk,take readingsin GORD mode using any displayedon the digital readout E (error)will be displayedon the
commerciallyavailablesync cord. as well as on the analog scale. digital readout,and @ (over)or U
The proportionof flash light (under)will blinkto indicatethat
illuminatingthe compositionis the measurementis out of range.
*Fire the flash according to the directions given in the users' shown on the analyzescale.
manual for the flash. Ex.:The displayshows an
*lf you change the shutter speed setting after taking a flash lieht f-numberreadingof FB.O+0.9-
reading, the FNo. and analyze scale will change accordingly. stops
lf the exposurereadingis outside
the displayrange of the instrument,
the f-numberis not displayed.Instead,
FNo.and O (over)or U (under)will
blink to indicatethe readingis
out of range.The ( or ) indicator
on the analog scale will light.
i, ,, 1,..,,..liii..l.*SView original page 21Page 22 · Read text
BasicOn * #ffi
OUsing the up/down control to change the shutter speed to I / I 5, we
can see how this change will affect the mix of ambient and flash light.
The aperture has changed to F4.03 and now,
When makingflash light readings,the instrumentis able to calculate one quadrantis lit up. This indicatesthat the
the proportionof ambient light and flash light in the total illumination. proportionof ambient light and flash lisht is
The proportionof ambient lisht and flash light can be checked on the about 3: I .
analyzescale of the display.
A photographtaken under these conditionswill be influencedmore
How to read the flash/ambient lieht ratio strongly by the tungsten light (orange)and less strongly by the flash
lieht (white).
Wheneveryou take a flash light readingwith the
instrument,the analyzescale is displayedon
the LCD data panel.After a reading,you can
also do a simulationto see how changes to the
shutter speed affect the proportionsof ambient
light and flash light on the instrument.
The analyzescale shows the proportionof flash
light in the total exposurereadingas one of five on the other hand, increasingthe shutter speed (withinthe range of
tevets. sync) will have the opposite effect-photoswill be more strongly
influencedby flash light (white)than ambient light.
Example of reading, display and simulation
AssurI|uA n n ' , - ^ +LildLl - \ ^ + a^ +LUngstenlamp is used as the ambientlight source. This simulationis based on controllingthe ambient light by varyingthe
OBeading of F2.80 at a shutter speed of I /60 sec. shutter speed.The proportionsof ambient lisht and flash light can atso
be adjusted by changing the intensityof the flash light.
Two quadrantsare lit up on the display, The intensity of flash light can be controiled either by varying the
indicatingthat the proportionof flash lisht is distance between the subject and the flash, or by changing the power
approx.5Oo/o(ambient:flashratio - I :l ). (lieht output) of the flash.
When you are controllingflash light intensity,you must take a new
readingeach time one of these two factors is changed.
A photographtaken underthese conditionswill not be strongly influenceo
by either the tungsten light (orange)or the flash lieht (white).
www.orphancameras.com
* 1View original page 22Page 25 · Read text
ffi#lffiiiiiirii"ffiialFu'nctions
Shadow calculations(for reflected-liehtreadings I Whenyou pressthe Ae button,the aperturerequiredfor proper
only) exposureof the shadowareawillbe calculated,andthe resultwillbe displayedon the digitalreadoutandon the analogscalefor FNo.lf you
When you want to reproducesome detail in the darkest areas of a presstheAn buttonagain,allvalueswillbe erasedfromthe display.
composition(shadowareas) without blockingthem out, take a O lf thereareanymeasurementvaluesalreadystoredin memory,the
reflectedlightreadingof the shadow area and use the meter's shadow meterwilldeterminethe exposurefor the darkestareameasuredand
exposurecalculationfunction to determinethe appropriateexposure storedin memory.The metercan onlymakeshadowexposure
for the shot. calculationswithmeasurementsstoredin memory.lf thereareno
measurementsstoredin memory,the meterdeterminesthe appropriate
exposurebasedon the latestmeasurement(displayedreading).
O lf youtake photographsaccordingto the aperturegivenby the shadow
exposurecalculation,the shadowareaswillbe accuratelyreproduced
on filmas shadows.
/:\ Display example (al (9
ISO FNo. /EV MODE Aperturesfor measurements
E@ In memory
Aperturefor shadow exposure
Aperturefor shadow exposure
OTake a readingof the ElUsethe upldowncontrol
shadowareaof the whilepressingthe Ae
subject. button to set the meter to In the aboveexample,the shadowexposurefor the darkestmeasureoarea
"S"mode. (aperture.F2.0+0.0)was determined.
O Unless an optionalaccessory
for reflected-lightreadings
attachment) is attached, it is
not possibleto set the meter
to "S" mode.View original page 25Page 27 · Read text
Speeial Functions
BrightnessdifFerencefunction
Concerningthis instrument,pressingthe Aa button after a normal ln GODE mode
measurement,or after performingan averagingcalculation,fixes the OEach time you press the measuringbutton, the flash is fired and a
currentreadingor calculatedaverageas a referencevaluefor difference singleexposurereadingis taken.Whilethe measuringbutton is pressed,
calculationsThus,when the next readingis made,the measurementvalue the exoosure differencebetween the current measurement value and
is displayedon the digitalreadoutof the meter in terms of its difference the fixed measurementvalue of step I is displayed.When you release
relativeto the fixed referencevalueor averagedreferencevalue. the measuringbutton, the fixed measurementvalue of step I is
Thisfunctionis usefulfor variousphotographyor motionfilm situationslt allows displayedagain. (The data panel displayis the same in AMBI mode.)
you to quicklycheckthe brightnessdifferencesbetweenone part of a composition
and another,(e.9.Foregroundand background),or to measurethe unevenness Olf you press the An button, the displayreverts to normaldisplay
of illuminationovera scene,by directlyshowingexposuredifferencesbetween mode. (The value measuredin step I is stored in memory.)
the currentreadingand a referenceexposurevalue(previousmeasurementvalue
or averagedreferencevaluefixedusingthe An button).
Thrsfunctioncan also be used for directlymeasuringthe lightingratioof a
scene,by showingthe exposuredifferencebetweenthe shadowand Currentmeasurementvalue
highliehtareasof a composition,for highlypreciselightingdesigns. (ln AMBI mode,rneasurementsare
madecontinuouslywhilethe measuring
OThe brightnessdifferencefunction can be used in AMBI mode and button is pressed The positionsof the
CORD mode. Exposuredifferencescannot be displayedin NON GORD pointerschangeaccordingly.)
mode,even if you take readings.
ODisplayablerange of exposuredifferencesis tl O.OEv(0.1Ev steps).
Fixedmeasurementvalue
Measuring Brightness Differences relative to
an exposure reading This shows that the currentlymeasured
lTake a reading and then press the As button. areameasurementis I .5 stopsvalue.darkerthan the fixed
Fixedmeasurementvalue O El turns on to indicatethe (ln AMBI mode,measurementsare
measurementvalue is fixed. When you release madecontinuouslywhilethe measuring
(ln this case, the fixed the measuring button: buttonis pressed.The readingon the digitalreadoutchangesaccordingly.) measurementvalue is
FB.0+0.9-stops.)
Currentmeasurementvalue
(Measurementvaluewhen measuring
button is released)
ElPressthe measuringbuttonto take a readingof the area Fixedmeasurementvalue
whosebrightnessyou want to comparewith the fixedvalue.
ln AMBI mode
OPressingthe measuringbutton takes continuousreadings As each
readingis taken,the exposuredifferencebetweenthe currentmeasurement
value and the fixed measurementvalue of step I is displayed.
When you releasethe measuringbutton, the fixed referencevalue The displayreverts to the fixed
of step I is displayed. measurementvalue.
..HS;.....,. ,:,..,View original page 27Page 29 · Read text
ffiiii'iii:gwialFunctions
IlAttach a Flat Diffuserto
I the receptorof the
The lightingratio is the brightnessratio betweenthe highlightand instrument.See page I 3 shadow areas of a composition. For example, if the difference in for detailson how to measurement values (exposuredifference) obtained by an incident-light
readingis one stop, the lightingratio is 2:l ; if it's two stops, the ratio attach a Flat Diffuser.
is 4:l . In general,lightingratios from 4'.1 to B:l (exposuredifferenceof
2 to 3 stops) are consideredbest when using color films, since these EPreparethe meterfor
ratios allow colors to be reproducednaturally. takinga reading.
By adjustingthe lightingratio,you can controlthe subject's highlight-
to-shadowreiationshipor the relationshipbetween the main subject
and the backgroundwhen photographingpeopleor objects in a studio.
To check lighting characteristics such as the brightness difference
between a main subject and background,a SphericalDiffuser can be
used in most cases. However if a subject is receivinglight from
differentdirections,it is necessary to measure the brightness of the
individuallight sources illuminatingit, using a Flat Diffuser(optional
accessory)(incident-lightreading,see page).
This allows control over the shadow areas of the main subject.
By replacinga SphericalDiffuserwith a Flat Diffuser,the brightnessof
light sourcesilluminatinga subject can be measuredindividually,and
the lightingratio can be checked easily.In addition,you can use the
meter'srnemoryfunction and brightness differencefunction to read
these valueseasilv.
BSet the measuringmode ZlUse the up/downcontrol
accordingto the light to set the desiredshutter
sourceto be measured. speed.
a8View original page 29Page 31 · Read text
Wifffil rpuncuons
Using the brightnessdifferencefunction of the instrument,the lightingratio
can be read with an accuracyof 0.1 stops.
Alternatively,instead of storing the readingsin memory,as explainedin
step 7 on the previouspage,the followingmethod can be used:
ZPress theAe button. A is displayedon the data panel,and
the exposurereadingfor the main light source is fixed.
Eltake a reading with the Flat Diffuser facing towards the fill
light source.While holdingdown the measuringbutton, the
difference(or lighting ratio) between the fill light source
exposureand main light source exposure,which was fixed in
step 7, is displayeddirectlyon the digital readout.Read the
vatue.
The lightingratio of main light source to fill light source can be calculated
from the followingtable.
Table for determining lighting ratio
Brightness differences Brightness ratio between main light source
(exposure differences) and fill light source (lighting ratio)
l . O ( l s t o p ) 2 . 1
+2.O 2 stops 4'1
+3.0 3 stops 8 : l
+4.O +A Da +L^UaV^ b l 6 : l
, E n E c t n n c 32:I
+6.0 A q t n n q 64.1
+7.O 7 stops 1 2 8 : l
The formulafor calculatingthe lightingratio is:
Main light:Fill light = 2Difference'1
"Difference"can be either brightnessdifferencein +EV or differencein
stops betweenapertures.
,iff iii:.iii:i:.:l,i,::::.:i::View original page 31Page 35 · Read text
l) not Do remove the cap from the jack cap.
jack while measurements2) lf is touched are being taken, After Service the
static electricityor inductionmay result in faulty measurements. Parts for repair of this product shall be availablefor at least seven
years from the time of purchase.3) lf the meter is used in the rain,at the seashore,or near a volcano,it
may become rusty or corrodeddue to water or corrosivegas. In such
situations,be carefulto protect the meter as much as possible.
4) Do not subject the instrumentto shock or vibration.For protection,
store the instrumentin its case when carryingit.
5) Do not allow the diffuserto become scratched or stained.
6) Do not press on or damage the data panel.
7) Avoid using the instrumentunder the followingtemperature
conditions,since it is composedof precisionelectronicparts such
as LSls and LCD elements.
A) Do not use the instrumentin areas subject to temperatures
higher than 50'C (122"F) or lower than - I 0"C (1 4'F).
B) When the temperatureof the instrumentfalls below -10'C (14'F),
the displayresponsebecomes very slow and the displaymay
become very difficultto read.
* At temperaturesbetween 0" (32"F) and -10'C (14'F), the
displayresponseis relativelyslow, but there is no risk to the
instrumentin such environments
C) When the temperatureof the instrumentrises above sO"C
(122'F), the displaymay become very difficultto read and the
data panelwill turn black.
* lf the instrumentis left under direct sunlight in the summer or
near a heater,the temperatureof the instrumentmay get much
hotter than the surroundings.So avoid this situation.
This instrument contains a microprocessor. lf it is affected by
electromagnetic interferenceor other influences,it may fail to function
properly.lf this happens,remove the battery and replace it.View original page 35Page 37 · Read text
Flat Diffuser Reflected-LiehtAttachment Spotfinder 5"
With this diffuserattached.the This is a receptor for use in This is a reflected-lightreceptor
AUTO DIGIMETEF KFM-I OO reflected-liehtreadings.With an with a 5' angle of acceptance.By
can be used tomeasure lighting angle of acceptance of attaching this to the AUTO DlGl
contrast (ratio of brightness) and approximately40" , this attachment METERKFM-l0O insteadof a
exposurefor flat subjects. is used for making reflected-light SphericalDiffuser,the meter can
readingscorrespondingto the field perform spot measurements.
of view of most normal lenses. A close-rangecorrection index is
employedfor measurements of
subjects at distances of around
l m .View original page 37From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.