Light meters
Minolta Autometer IV User manual
User manual for Minolta Autometer IV. 31 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Minolta
- Model / document
- Minolta Autometer IV
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 31
- File size
- 4.8 MB
- Category
- Light meters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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This manual is for reference and historical purposes, all rights reserved.
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www.orphancameras.comView original page 1Page 9 · Read text
SELECTINGA MEASURINGMETHOD To take an incident-lightreading,attach any of the diffusers
Incident-LightReadings (SphericalDiffuser,Flat Diffuser,Mini Diffuser,4X Spherical
ND Diffuser,or 8X SphericalND Diffuser)to the Auto Meter lV
When you use a meter to Incident light metering F. Positionthe meter near your subject, aim the receptor
make incident-lightread- directlyat the camera lens, and press the measuringbutton.
ings, the exposure is
based e ntirely o n th e With the Auto Meter lV F, you can also use this measuring
brightness of the light methodto quicklydetermineyour lightingratio. See p.38 for
falling on (incident to) more information
your subject. As a result,
the subject's reflectance
(how dark or light it is)
will not influencethe meter readingand light and dark tones
will reproduceas they appearedin the originalscene.
Another advantageof incident-lightmetering is that the light
receptorcan be matchedto your subject.
For three-dimensionalsubjects,you should use one of the
sphericaldiffusers;when you photographflat surfaces such
as postersor paintings,use the flat diffuser.
An incident-lightreading is the simplest, most convenient
method of determiningthe exposure in a wide variety of
situations. lt is most effectivefor scenes which contain a full
range of tones, such as in architecturaland landscape
photographs. Incident-!ightmetering also works well for
portrait and other situations where the lighting can be
controlledand adjusted to make the contrast range of the
scene fit the exposurerangeof your film.
www.orphancameras.com1 2 1 3View original page 9Page 13 · Read text
- HffiffiH
5. lf the angle of your camera's shutter is not 180 The meter will continue to 1 1 . 4 2 2 . 8 45.6 8 1 1 1 6
speed should be adjustedaccordingto the table 1 . make readings as long as FNo.
the rneasuring button isTable 1 held in. When you release CINEEN it, the last reading will re- so E Sh utter Film-speed iiin \ @l main in the digital display.
openi ng Adjustment lf you selected f/number display, the reading will also be
" displayedon the analogscale. 1 6 0 1/3stop
lf the reading is over or under the meter's display range,
220" +113stop FNo. and o (over)or u (under)will blink.lf the readingis over
or underthe meter'Smeasuringrange,o or u will blinkand E
-1/3 stop: press the down control once, e.g., for ISO 100 film, will appear in the digitaldisplay.
set ISO 80
+113stop: press the up controlonce, e.g., for ISO 100 film.set
lso 120
6. Position the meter and
press the measuringbutton.
www.orphancameras.com 2120View original page 13Page 15 · Read text
iii+irffi{#ffitru''iitffiffiffiilitiffitiitiiffii!$iifii+irfi.*liirH*ril$rii iuiiffi*tuffirffilf
lf the reading is over or under the meter's display range, Withouta Sync Cord
FNo. and o (over)or u (under)will blink.
1 . Press the power button to
lf the readingis over or under the meter's measuringrange, turn the meteron.
o or u will blinkand E will appearin the digitaldisplay.
. The most recent settings
lf you change the shutter speed after you make a measure- will, appear in the display
ment, the aperture display,analog display,and any data in window.
memorywill clear.
2. Referto p.11 and set the desiredfilm speed.
The triggervoltageof some electronicflash units may be too
high for the Auto Meter lV F to fire them in cord mode. lf this 3. lf the meter is not set to
is true of your flash,use non-cordmode (see p. 25). non-cord mode, press the
mode button until NON.C
appears in the display win-
dow.
o Any data in the aperture
displayor in memorywill be
clearedat this point and the shutter-speedrange will change
to 1/500- 1 sec.
. EV displaycannot be selectedin non-cordmode.
www.orphancameras.com24 25View original page 15Page 16 · Read text
'- iii-r***********fig**g
4. Use the up/down control to 6. Positionthe meter and fire thq flash to make a reading.
select the X-sync speed of
. lf the readingis over or underthe meter'sdisplayrange,FNo. your camera.
and o (over)or u (under)will blink. lf the readingis over or
. Shutter speeds between underthe meter'smeasuringrange,o or u will blinkand E will
1/500 and 1 sec. can be appear in the digitaldisplay.
selected in 1/2-stop incre-
ments. Cine speedscannot
be selectedrn non-cordmode.
5. Pressthe meter'smeasuringbutton.
NON.C will begin to blink,
1 1 . 42 2 .8 4 5.6 I 11 16 2232.456490
signalingthat the meter is FNo.
in stand-by,waiting for the TIMEr _ n ,:lLl flash to fire. The meter will
remain in stand-by for one lso iiin Ltltanfil= minute. lf you press the
measuringbutton again, the meter's internalclock will reset
to one minute; if you press any other function button,
stand-bywill be canceledand that functionwill be engaged.
2726View original page 16Page 18 · Read text
You may make a third You may store a reading in ,memory which is beyond ther' 1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 2232456490:
reading--allthree will be TIME FNo. meter'sdisplayrange, but not a readingwhich is beyond the
displayed on the analog meter'ssensitivityrange.
scale and the most recent nn \.85 To clear the memory,turn the meter on and off or change the will appear in the digital so iiin \ @l d isplay(4). measuringmode.
(4) lf you press the memory
button a third time, the first 1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 8 11 16 2232456490: Data in memory will be lost if the battery dies or if you
reading will be replaced by TIME FNo. change the battery.
the third (5). Frn 5.85 'so . With only one value in ilin \ @l
memory, if you make a (5)
second reading, you can 1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5 . 6 8 11 16 22 32 45 64 90
still recall the original 'n"ff. readingto the digitaldisplay TIMEt r n ,:l Ll by pressing the average n;
button. \-'[? @l
When A appears in the
displaywindow, the digitaldisplayshows the memory value.
lf you press the average button again, A will disappearand
the second readingwill returnto the digitaldisplay.
30 3 1View original page 18Page 20 · Read text
To display the secondBRIGHTNESSDIFFERENCE . 1 1 . 4 2 2 . 8 4
readingdigitally(in the units
In ambient and cord rnode,you can use the Auto Meter lV F you have chosen, not TIMEr _ n ,:lLl to determinethe brightnessdifferencebetween two readings. +/- EV), p ress th e ave rage
This feature greatly simplifiesadjusting lamp brightnessto. button. A will disappear 'so ilio \ @l
obtain a desired lightingratio or determining subjectcontrast and the second readingwill
to analyzethe brightnessrangeof your scene. See p.38 - 44 appear in the digitaldisplay. The originalreadingwill remain
for more informationon using this function. in memory and both readingswill be shown on the analog
scale if you have selectedflnumber display. lf you take a
1 . Make a reading and press readingnow, the meterwill functionnormally.
1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5 . 6 8 1 1 1 6 2 2 3 2 4 5 6 4 9 0
the average button. One TI 'n'ff. . lf two readingsare stored,then the brightnessdifferencewill memory indicatorand A will MEr _ n
appearin the display. ,:lLl be calculatedfrom the averageof the two readings. il n 'so iilo \ @El
2. Make a second readingof another part of your subject or of
anotherlightand hold the measuring button down.
. The meter will display the 1 1.4 2 2.1. 8 4 5 . 6 8 11 16 22 32 45 64 90.
difference between your TIME A first readingand the current ,: n EV ' ,,: light level in +/-EV. LI LJ
When you release the rso1 I iio @l measuringbutton,the digi-
tal display will return to the originalreading in the units you
have selected. Both readingswill be displayedon the analog
scale if you selectedf lnumberdisplay.
34 35View original page 20Page 21 · Read text
RE.CALIBRATIONrIIr
During manufacture,your Auto Meter lV F was precisely
calibratedto Minoltastandards. No further adjustmentof the
meter is usuallyrequiredto obtain optimum results. However,
if you want to re-calibrateyour meter to match the readingsof
another meter, the Auto Meter lV F can be adjustedbetween
-0.8 and +0.7 EV.
To adjust the meter, use a small screwdriverto turn the
measuring-leveladjustmentscrew located under the battery
cover. The marks around the screw show 0.2 EV (1/S-stop)
incrementsand the indents in the screw's rotationrepresent
0.1 EV (1/1O-stop)increments.
APPLICATIONS
. The Auto Meter lV F should be re-calibratedonly after you
determinethat it will not produce the desired results. lf you
are making only a temporaryadjustment,the measuringlevel
adjustmentscrew should be returnedto the zero positionas
soon as possibleafter you are finished.
.2-Jf.z
.4{tr_1t.4
-:6
.6--
www.orphancameras.com 36 37View original page 21Page 22 · Read text
LIGHTING-RATIOM EASUREMENTS 4. Press the average (A) but-
ton.
The lighting ratio of a scene is the ratio between the main
(key) and fill lights. By adjustingthe lightingratio,you can
control the appearance of your subject or the brightness
range of your scene.
The Auto Meter lV F, enablesyou to determinethis ratio and
to see the difference,in stops on the analog scale or in +l-EY,
between light sources, and makes adjustingyour lightingto The reading will be stored 1 1.42 2.8 4 5 . 6 8 1 1 1 6 2 2 3 2 4 5 6 4 9 0
obtaina desiredratio remarkablyquick and easy. in memory and A will ap- FNo'r, pear in the displaywindow. TIMEr _ n n -.
1. Attachthe flat diffuserto the Auto Meter lV F. nLl n.u1 * ,il0 l-. @I2. Set the film speed,measuringmode, displayunits,and, if you 5. Turn on your fill light and
are readingin f/numbers,the shutterspeed to the values you turn off the main light.
requ ire.
6. Again positionthe meter near your main subjectand aim the
3. Turn on only your main light, positionthe meter near your receptordirectlyat the fill light.
main subject,point the receptordirectlyat the light,and take
a reading. 7. Press and hold the measur- 1 1 . 4 2 2 . 8 4 5 . 6 8 11 16 2232 45 64 90
ing button. The meter will T I M E
display the difference be- EV irii;.t! tween your main and f ill Ftn
lights in +/-EV. Refer to the * lilo table 2 to determine your
lightingratio.
8. lf necessary, adjust the brightnessand/or distance of the
lightsuntilyou obtainthe ratioyou need.
38 39View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
. When you releasethe measuringbutton after you make the SCENE-CONTRASTM EASUREMENTS
second reading,if you have selectedf/numberdisplay,the
first readingwill reappearin the digitaldisplayand both will Scene contrast,or brightnessrange,is the differencebetween
remain on the analog scale. lf you press the average button the brightestand darkestparts of your subjector scene. With
again so that A disappearsfrom the display window, the the Auto Meter lV F's brightness difference function and
digitaldisplaywill show the second reading(in the units you analogscale,this value is easilymeasuredand convertedto a
have selected,not +/-EV). The first reading will remain in brightness ratio. With this informationand the exposure
memoryand, if it is the only value in memory,it can be called range of your film, you will be able to judge whether your
back by pressingthe averagebuttonagain. scene will appear as you want it or if its shadows will be
blocked-upand highlightswashed-out.
. Afteryou have set the lightingratio,turn on all your lightsand The film's exposurerange--thatis, the differencebetweenthe
make an exposurereading. brightestand darkestareas of your scene which will still show
detail in the final image--as well as a great deal of useful
Table 2 informationcan be found in the materialpacked with the film
and in technicalpublicationsavailablefrom the film manufac-
+/- EV Lightingratio turer. In general,color negativefilm has an exposurerange
of approximately7 stops;colorslidefilm,only about 5 stops.
1 2 . 1
1 . 6 3 : 1
2 4 : 1
3 8 : 1
4 16 : 1
5 32:1
6 64:1
www.orphancameras.com 4 140View original page 23Page 24 · Read text
1. Attachthe Viewfinder5" or Viewfinder10' ll to the Auto Meter 6. Next measure the brightest area (negativefilm) or darkest
I V F . area (reversalfilm) in which you want to retaindetailand hold
the measuringbuttondown.
2. Set the film speed,measuringmode, displayunits,and, if you
are reading tlnumbers,the shutter speed to the values you The differencebetween the 1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 I 11 16 2232456490.
requ ire. first reading and the bright-
ness of the area in the spot
3. Turn the receptor head around 180' so that the display circle will appear in the
windowis facingyou when you look throughthe viewfinder. digital display in +/-EV as
long as you hold the mea-
4. lf you are using negative film, first make a reading of the suring button down. To determinethe scene contrast ratio,
darkest area of you scene in which you want to retaindetail;if referto the table 3. lf necessary,adjust your lightingto bring
you are using reversalfilm, first measurethe brightestarea in the scene contrast range within the exposure range of your
which you want to retaindetail. film, or adjustthe development/reproductionvariablesto alter
the exposurerange.
5. Pressthe averagebutton.
When you releasethe measuringbutton,if you have selected
flnumber display, the first reading will appear both in the
digital display and on the analog scale and the last value
measuredwhile you were holdingthe measuringbutton will
be displayedon the analog scale. To display this second
readingin the digitaldisplay (in the units you have selected,
The reading will be stored not +/-EV), press the average button again so that A
in memory and A will ap- disappearsfrom the display window. The first reading will pear in the displaywindow. TIME""=En'-" remainin memory and, if there is only one value in memory,
it can be recalledby pressingthe averagebuttononce again. 1.fli 'so iiin \ EEl
42 43View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
. lf you are in ambientmode and cannothold the meter steady USINGTHE ANALOGSCALE
so that the spot circle remains over the area you are
measuring,the brightness-differencereading may change. The Auto Meter lV F's analog scale can help you pre-visualize
Set the meter to cord mode. Now when you press the the placementof midtones,shadowsand highlightsfrom your
measuring button, the meter will not make continuous scene in the final image. Based on your own past experience
measurements. You must still hold the measuringbutton and knowledgeof the exposurelatitudeof your film, this will
down after the second reading to view the brightness help you to judge whetherthe exposureprovidedby the meter
differencein +/-EV, but the reading will not change if you will reproducethe scene as you desire.
move the spot circleto an area of differentbrightness.
" AttachViewfinder5 or Viewfinder10' ll (5' is preferable)to
Table 3 the Auto Meter lV F and make a readingof :
+/- EV Scene Contrast . the brightestarea in which you want to retaindetailif you are
usingreversalfilm;
1 2 : 1
1 . 6 3 : 1 . the darkest area in which you want to retaindetail if you are
2 4 : 1 usingnegativefilm. Storethis readingin memory.
3 8 : 1
4 16 : 1 Next, measure the darkest (reversalfilm)/lightest(negative
film) area which you want to show detail and place this 5 32:1
readinginto memoryalso.
6 64:1 lf necessary,adjust the shutter speed to bring both readings
7 128:1 onto the analogscale. This
is the brightness range of 1 1 . 4 2 2 . 8 4 5 . 6 811 16 22 32 45 64 90.
your scene--highlightread- T I M E FNo.
ing on the right,shadow on the left. Eil i iut "' /f,'o @l
44 www.orphancameras.com 45View original page 25Page 26 · Read text
EttFE
r r
lf this brightnessrange is within the exposure range of your FILTER.FACTORCORRECTION
film, press the average button to obtain an exposure reading
which will reproducedetailin both of the areas you measured. When you place filtersover the camera lens, you will have to
Of course if the brightnessrange is smallerthan the exposure increasethe exposurewhich is indicatedby the Auto Meter lV
range, then you may have detail in areas darker and lighter F. Calculatingthis increaseand addingit to the meter reading
than those you measured. Adjust your exposure, devel- can be a laboriousprocedureif you are making more than
opment, and/or reproductionvariables to obtain the results one exposureat differentshutterspeed and aperturesettings
you want. or if you are usingseveralfilterssimultaneously.
lf, however, the brightnessrange is greater than the film's With the Auto Meter lV F's wide ISO range,you can add the
exposurerange,you will have to adjust one or all of the filterfactor directlyto the film speed settingso that the meter
variables listed above, change the lightingconditionsif you will automaticallycompensatefor the light absorbed by the
have controlover them, or you may have to settlefor a loss of f iltersand displaythe correctexposure.
detailin the highlightsand/orshadows.
1. First,determinethe filterfactorof each filteryou will be using.
ln the second case, it may be useful to take a reflected
readingof a grey card (zone 5). You will then be able to see . This is generallyexpressed in 1/3-stopson the filter, in its
the position of your highlight and shadow readings and accompanyingtechnicalliterature,or on the outsideof the
calculatedaveragevalue with respectto the meter readingof f ilterpackaging.
a standardmidtone. Remember,when you take a reflected-
light reading,the exposureprovidedby the meter will make 2.lt you are using more than one filter, add all the factors
the area you read appear as a Zone 5 after normal togetherto obtaina correctionfactorfor the entirefilterpack.
development.
3. Decreasethe meter'sfilm speed by this numberof stops.
46 47View original page 26Page 27 · Read text
****=***********
For example,if you are using two filters,one with a filterfactor ILLUMINANCEMEASUREMENTS
of 213 and the other with a factor of 1 213,the filter factor of
the two togetheris 2 113(213+ 1 213: 1 413or 2 113).To add The Auto Meter lV F provides you with the means to
this compensationvalue to the meter's operation,press and determinethe illuminance,in lux (lx), of an ambient light
hold the ISO button and press the down control 7 times (6 source.
times for the 2 whole-stopsplus once more for the additional
1. Attachthe flat diffuserto the Auto Meter lV F. 1/3-stop).lf you are using ISO 100 film,the metershouldnow
read ISO 20. Now, each time you take a meter reading,the 2.Turn the meteron, selectambientmode, Setthe film speed to
Auto Meter lV F will automaticallycompensatefor the light ISO 100, and set the digitaldisplayto EV.
absorbed by the two filters.
3. Positionthe meter so that it is near your subject, point the
receptorhead directlyat the light source you are measuring,
and press the measurlngbuttonto take a reading.
4. Use the EV indicatedby the meter and refer to the table 4 to
determinethe illuminance. Find the integer value of the
meter readingin the left-handcolumn and the decimal value
in the top row. Where the row and column intersectis the
approximateilluminancemeasurementin lux.
For example, if the meter displaysa readingof EV 10.7, the
row for the integer 10 and the column for the decimal 0.7
intersectat 4200 lx.
.llluminance can also be calculated using the following
formu la:
l x : 2 . 5 x 2 ' u
For precise measurementsof illuminance,use the Minolta
llluminanceMeter.
www.orphancameras.com48 49View original page 27Page 29 · Read text
iii ffi ii{iiit{i:iffifffi*"--.*gg--gm*
4X and 8X Spherical ND Diffusers I Booster ll I Both of these sphericaldiffusersincorporatea neutral density When pluggedinto the accessory-receptorjack on the head of I
element,and are used when light is too brightto be measured l the Auto Meter lV E, this separate sensor enables making
normally.With the 4X diffuser,the meter's upward range is accuratemeasurementsof brightnessat an SLR eyepiece,ofl
e x t e n d e d b y t w o s t o p s ( 2 E V ) ; w i t h t h e 8 X , b y t h r e e s t o p s ( 3 an SLR focusingScreenor view camera groundglass,through
EV).Operation of the meter remainsthe same as with the the eyepiece of a microscope,or at the film plane of a
standardsphericaldiffuser. full-frame35mm camera.The Boosterll may also be used for
, ordinarydirect reflected-lightmeasurement,with an approxi-
Spot Mask mately60' angle of acceptance.
This mask attaches to the meter in place of the standard
diffuser.lt enables the Auto Meter lV F to be used in the
darkroomfor calculatingenlargingexposuredata.
Sync Cord lll
This Sync Cord lll is a S-meter long cord that connects the
meter,flash unit, and camera's sync terminal together. Using
this cord, you can take flash readingsand releasethe shutter
withoutchangingconnections.
www.orphancameras.com 52 53View original page 29Page 30 · Read text
#
o Do not press on or damage the indication-displaywindows. Never attempt to disassemble the meter.
necessary should be undertaken only by
o Do not subjectthe meter to shockor vibration. M inoltaservicefacility.
o This meter is designed for use at temperatures50 C and o The meter body may be wiped with a silicone-treatedcloth to
-10 C . lf the unit becomes hotter or colder than this, clean it. Do not allow alcoholor chemicalsof any other kind to
operationmay be unsatisfactory. touch its surface.
o The meter should never be placed or left in the glove o Never lubricateany part of the meter.
compartment or other places in a moter vehicle, or else-
where, where it may be subjectto temperatureshigher than o lf the meter is nol to be usgd for two or more weeks, it is
55 C , or lower than -20 C , ?s it may be permanently advisableto remove the batterY.
damaged. Particularcare should be taken not to leave the
meter in sunlight or near sources of heat such as strong
lights,etc. Do not store it in humid places,or near corrosive
chemicals
o lf the meter is left or placed in direct sunlight for any long
period,the indication-displaywindowwill turn black.
o When the meter is to be stored,place it in its originalpacking,
and put it in an air-tightcontainerwith an appropriateamount
of dehumidifyingagent,such as silicagel.
54 55View original page 30From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
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