Skan light meter User manual

THE INSIDE ST('RY OF Y('UR




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A BRIEF ANALYSIS of what your exposure
meter is and how it operates will help you
use it to best advantage. As shown above,
your meter has a photo-electric cell which
converts light energy into electrical energy.
A tiny galvanometer then measures that
amount of energy by moving a pointer across
a calibrated scale . . . thus making an actual
measurement of light.
  Then, with a computer as provided on the
meter, you relate the light measurement to
the speed or "exposure index" of your film

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  and obtain combinations of f/stops and
  shutter speeds usable for perfect exposures
  with your carnera.
  ANY COMBTNATTON of f/stops and shutter
  speeds-thus indicated by the computer on
  your meter results in the same amount of
  light reaching'your film. Your choice of
  which combination to use depends on one of
  two factors:  (l-) If your picture must ,.stop,'
  action or movement, use a combination with
. a relatively fast shutter speed; or (2) If you
  are more concerned with depth-of-field,
  choose a combination with a relatively small
  f/stop, or lens opening.
 YOUR MOVTE CAMERA has a fixed shutter
  speed for any given "frames-per-second',
  setting; thus you need choose only the one
  lens opening or f/stop that goes with the
  actual shutter speed of your movie camera
  (see page 20).
    Understanding how your exposure meter
  works, and using it consistently and properly
  as per the hints in this booklet, will insure
  conect exposure for every picture you take!

Venmo @mike-butkus-camera  Ph. 2083
PayPal Name  Lynn@butkus.org      www.PayPal.me/lynnbutkus

rhu=             meler
 ASA CTASS C REFTECIED
     UGHT MEIER

l. Tipped-down  photo-electric       www.butkus.us
   cell to automatically mini-
   mize sky-light.
2. Legible scale covers entire
   normal brightness range.
3. Changeable slides for direct
   reading with the 8 most pop-
    ular exposure indexes.
4. Zero adjustment screw, ac-
   cessible under slides.
5. "Quick" Computer for all
  normal exposures, with   f/stops from 2.8 to 22        .
   shutter speeds frorn l/25 to
   l/2OO of a second; including
   quick settings for movie cam-
   eras at 16 frames per second.



                                Full size computer built into
                                back of meter for all situations.
                           Sketch shows ASA Indexes
                                           'IE                                F        for intermediate spaces on dial.                                            -l?                                       v
                     Yo- J-'
                                     t/.\-.-   s
                     ti\\."'

l.  Incident light cap for photo-
    cell window (use only when
   taking readings by incident
    light),
2. View-finder for accuracy in
   aiming meter at subject, or
   camera.
3. Twin scales for legible, accu-
    rate reading ofall light values
  from .4 to 160O candles per
   sq. ft.
4. Zero adjustment screw.
5. Twin scale shifting bar.                  Mike Butkus                Digitally                                                                                                                                         DN:email=mike@butkus.org,Date:cn=Mike2023.10.12signedButkus,by22:12:44Mikeo=ButkusButkusc=US-04'00'camera manuals, ou=butkus.org,

                                6. Extra large, legible computer
                                     for complete accurate com-
                                    putation of all camera set-
                                               tings.
                                7. Memo Index for notes; also
                                     for pre-calculating movie
                                    camera lens settings for most
                                            light readings, as illustiated.

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   IIISTRUGTlOilS   how lo use the




          SET ASA NUTIBER OF FITM
            Press spring latch at lower left of computer dial
           on back of meter and turn outer dial bv tab until
        ASA Index Number for vour film is ientered in
             small red (ASA EXP. INbEX) aperture. Release
             catch to lock number in place.
          SET ''[IGHT VALUE'' ON COMPUTER
           Determine "Light Value" of your scene by either
           the Incident or Reflected method (Pages 8-9).
          Then turn the black dial of computer until light
             value marker and the number or apace wtrich cbr-
            responds to light value of your scene are lined up
              in the large aperture at bottom of computer. Now
           you are read5r to Eet your camera . .  .

           Suppoee you are ueing outdoor color film (ASA          Idex 1O), and "lO" is set properly in the small red
              aperture. Ifyou have a light value of4fi) for your
EXATPLE:   scene, line up the light value marker with 4OO in
            the large aperture. !  ! the flsfops now lined up             with ehutter speeds (TIME) give combinations for
              oorrect exlrcoure, Buch aa fl8 at 1/5oth, f15.6 st            1/10O!h, etc. (For normal-speed movies, simply
            pick the  f /etop which lines up with the specirilly
          marked movie apeed of 1/3fth  ( o ) ,in th;s coge         f/10).          m
        AIM WITH THE VIEW-FINDER
                 It is especially important, when taking a reflected
                liglt reading, to look atraight down into the opti-
             cal finder at top front of the meter- When your           scene is accurately framed in this finder, your
               metp.r is precisely aimed for the lnost accurate liSht
             neaorng lrcssrDre.

Reflected light, as shown, is that light which is
 reflectcd from yovr picture subject. To take a
meter reading of reflected light, the common
 p-rocedure is to hold the meter at camera posi-
 tion, aiming the photo-cell window of the deter
 as -precisely as possible at the subject or center- of-interest-
  In reading reflected          it is advisable to
point the Teter slightly down, excluding mostof the "incident" oi direct lisht fromfro4 tf,ethe skv.sky.
 (In the "Quick" model, the
down to minirnize this pro,In the "Deluxe"

reading so high that your resultanf camera
setting will under-expose your subject.


"LIGHT BALANCING" with the Deluxe model meter is
a practical application of the Incident Light tbchnique,
used foostly in indoor photography. For example, if a
ratio of 4 to L is desired between the main light and
the fill light . .  .
FIRST, turn on only the main light; hold the meter at
the subject (aiming  it ot the main light), and note the

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   !,w;rt!flit"L,cHr





     Incident light, as shown, is that lisht which
      falls upon the sub_ject_directly froro-the light
     egurce (sun, sky, floodlight, etc.). The incident
      light technique has its Sest applicatiou-Jurrounaeawhen a      ggb_jgct is_ inaccessible, or is          Uy a
      highly reflective area. The nomal method G to
     hold,the lqqter_ (the Deluxe model only, with      Incident Light Cip in place) in a positioiitmttar
     to the subject, btut aimed at tli.e camcra. TLre
     meter thus actually averages and measures all
     the light_ folling oz the iubject, taking into
     account the angle-of-incidence as well; thus.the
      resulting meter reading  is a reliable one to follow.



metet reading (for exo"tple, 13).
SECOND, turn on only tbe fill tright; hold the meter at
the subject (aiming it ot the fiU lieht), and adjust the
distance of this light to and from the subject position
until a reading of 11 of the first reading is obtained
(in this case, 3.2).
  This givee you the desired ratio of 4 to 1.

HOW TO USE YOUR NEIER FOn





   MEIHOD: Reflected Light, with either model SKAN
             Meter.
PROCEDURE: Aim your meter directly at the scene or
             center-of-interest from camera position.
          Take reading, and use computer to deter-
           mine camera setting.
                  sky is in background, avoid direct sky           -Whel              light by aiming meter slightly below horizoir
            line as explained on page g. (If scene is
             highly contrasty, see page 14.)

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   METHOD: Reflected Light, with either model SKAN
             Meter.
PROCEDURE:  Hold your meter about 6 inches from the
             subject, thus automatically excluding any
           background light from influencing your
            meter reading. Take reading, and use com-
              puter to determine camera setting-
           Avoid casting your own shadow on the area
           which you are reading.

I{OW TO USE YOUR TEIER FOR





                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    L+;.tt'u:&t!
         METHOD: Incident Light, with Deluxe model and
                    Incident Light Cap.
       PR.OCEDURE: Hold meter at subject and point iL toward
                        the camera (or hold-meter in position similar
                      to,subject and point it.at an angle similar to
                     suDJect-to-camera  angle).                                               I
         METHOD: Reflected Light, with either model SKAN     I                   Meter.                                                                       I
       PROCEDURE: Aim meter at the subject.
                          If a reflected reading  is taken from camera
                     position, compute the reading as if it were
                    Lhe next lower numbered diuision on the lieht
                    value scale; (for example: compute value of
                7 as 6 with "Quick" hodel, oi aOO as 200                 with "Deluxe" model, etc.).This compen-
                     sates for the over-brighl"ness  of the area sur-
                  rounding your center--of-interest.
                          If a close-up reflected reading is taken, no
                  compensation is necessary.
t2

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j
            METHOD: Incident Light, with Deluxe model and
il                       Incident Light Cap.
           PROCEDURE:  Hold meter in a position similar to that of
                         the subjcct and point it at the camera (or at
                       an angle similar lo subject-to-camcra anglcl.
            METHOD: Reflected Light, with either model SKAN
                       Mcter.
          PROCEDURE:  fa]re a close-up reading of any nearby                        object having texture and lighting similai
                       to that of the subject; such as flesh tones.
                             foliage, rocks and ground, etc.

                                                                             l3

I{OW TO USE YOUR METER FON





   METHOD: Reflected Light.
PROCEDURE:  "Scan" the scene by taking close-up read-
              ines of both the brightest and the darkest
             ar6as of interest and-use a light value half-
           way between the two (the resulting average
               light value may be altered slightly to favor
                  tlie more important part of your picture).
   EXAMPI.E: On the "Quiik" model, if meter reads 3 for            darkest object, and 7 for brightest gbject'
             use 5 when computing the f/stop and shut-
            ter speed. Similarly, on the "Deluxe"              model', if scale reads 13 and 200, compute
             as 50.
        An Incident Lighl reading should be used
            onlv "in-a-pinch," because in this instance
                   it iould render a reading higher or lower
            than is actually required.
          An Incident Light reading can be used when
             the center-of-interest  has too small an area
            to allow the reflected light method recom-
           mended.

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   METHOD: Reflected Light, with either model SKAN          Meter.
                                                                                 \
FRO€EDURE: Hold meter only about 6 inches from sub_
            ject to avoid possible influence of back_
           ground light. (See pages g_9 for additional
              hints on "light balancing" and use of fnci-
            dent Light Meter.)
           Avoid casting your own shadow on the area
           which you are reading. Be sure to compute
            with the tungsten exposure index of the fi.lm           you are using.

                                                            t5

HOW TO UsE YOUR METER FOR





       MEIHOD: Reflected Light or Incident Light.
     PROCEDUR,E: Refer back to Pages 10-14 and, depending
               on the type of picture you are taking, use
                   the recommended method and procedure.
                   Flat, over-all lighting is desirable because
                    color film has much less latitude, or bright-
               ness range, than black-and-white film.
                Check this by taking Reflected Light Meter
                  readings of the brightest and darkest areas
                    of your picture; if the total variation is not
               more than three full numbered divisions on
                 your meter scale for the important parts of
                 your picture, the lighting is sufficiently flat
                    for a color picture.l6

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  METHOD: Reflected Light or Incident Light.
PROCEDURE: Refer to Page lb for hints on indoor pic-
              tures, and also to Pages 8-9 for use of an
             Incident Light Meter for .,light balanci.ng."
        Be sure to use a light source of correct
            color "temperature" as recommended by
            the manufacturer of the color film you are
             using (and use proper filter if required). See
          Page 16 for cautions on ..brightness range,,
             of your scene. And be sure to refer to the
             tungsten exposure index of the color film you
            are using.

CARE AXD UsE
 OF YOUR TETER                                             I
                                                                                                                                           i
      Always remember---:your exposure meter is a
        delicate instrunent and should be treated as
                            precautions                                            will help you                   following          The        such!  -                                                     life:                   and satisfactory              a long        give it
    DOll'ts
            l. Avoid subjecting your meter to any sudden/          jarring or dropping which can very easily
         damage the sensitive mechanism.
        2. Avoid extreme temPeratures.
           A. Avoid exposing to excessive heat such
        '            as in the glove compartment of your car'
           B. Keep meter inside your outer garments
               in cold weather to avoid Prolonged
               exPosure to the cold-
        t4t               "               the neck cord furnished with the meter        3. Use
            '    as added insurance against dropping'
        4. Store your meter (prefurably in its carrying
           case) in a safe, dust-free Place-
        5. Check "Zero" once or twice a year' In sub-
          dued light, completely cover the cell window
          with the palm of your hand- Hold the meter
              flat, and note the position of the pointer in
         .:   relation to the zero mark. Should it be off,

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  turnthe Zero Adjustment Screw slowly until the
  pointer returns to zero position.

  WINTER PRECAUTION:
  Static electricity may cause pointer to stick or
 move erratically. If so, breathe on the scale
 window until pointer moves freely.

  EMERGENCY CHECK:
  If at any ti'ne you should drop your meter or
  have any reason to believe it is not functioning
  properly, simply place the photo-cell window
  against a lighted 60-watt bulb. If the pointer
  approaches the highest number shown on the
 - Light Value scale, the meter is probably func-
  tioning properly. For any other testing, repair
 work or checking, do not attempt to do it
  yourself. Send the meter to the factory.





                                             each                                         new    tt*        TheSKA_N_Exposurewarranty providedM eter expresslywith                                                      states
     lF           the G-M Laboratories  Inc. offer to re-
                      p-air all_ defective workmanship or re-
                 charge up to 90 days after corsumer ,/fuh'z     place all defective materials without                nqghase. After this warranty period,
                    or if a meter is found to be out of war-qz/db     ranty upon inspection which shows
                  ta_mpering,                           complete                                       repairs                                                    will bego*h'y:    effectedmishandling, abnormal damage, or                        at                         the factory                                       at nominal
                  charges to the owner.

IUI('YIE SPEEDIS

     For convenience the "Movie"  panel on the
      front of the "Quick" model meter is designed for
      1/30 second which, for all practical purposes, is
      the shutter speed for most movie cameras at the
     normal 16 frames-per-second. The list below
     shows most popular cameras, along with a list of
     recommended exposure meter settings with either
    model SKAN meter at 16 frames-per-second.




Ampro                               DeJur-Amsco
   All models           rho            Aff models       I l3O
Ansco                                DeVry
  Model B            rho         Model 7O     rho
Bell & Howell                       Kodok
  70,71,75,141,153                           All models                   I l3o
  Aulo lood ond
  Aufomoster                                       I l1o        Keysfone
   All olher models        rho            All models                 I l10
Bolex                                  Pothe
   H-8, H-16, L-g        tho        Model l6     tho
Briskin                                   Revere
  Model 8                                             I l3o            All models     rho

     *Fiecommended  for 16 framee-per-second  only.. Refer to'
                                                           speedsaAzv    moviewhen shootingcarnera atinetrlction8,24 or 32bookframes-per-second.for actual shutter

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     ASA CALIBRATIO]I G('I{STANT
                    exposlrre          The
            oelermlned                    Dv l$auiredthese tormulae:to,photograph an average scene is
                For Reflected Light            For Incident Light                           'rl:K:^  ..BSL2         't:"#
         SKAN Meter: K:1.27      SKAN Metet C:22.2
         K:ASA  Calibration        C:ASA  Calibration
                Constant                    Constant            B:Brightness in Candles        I :Illumination in
                  per sq. ft.                     Foot-Candles
           T:Exposure Time in       A :Relative Aperture
                 Seionds
                    s:ASA E*o"""""q(i1:l)

           r/sToP sYsrEtns
                If the lens openings on your camera are marked with other than
             f/stops, they may conform to this conversion table:
,l           Uniform System (U.S.) 0.5  I  1.4 1.6 2 2.5 4 8 16 32 64  t28          0therCalibrations                                                |  2  3   4             Conversion to f/stop  2.8-  4 4.5 5  5.6 6.3 8   lI  16 22 32   45
     I      POLAR('II) GAI5ERA SETTTNGS
     I       MODET 95A "SPEEDLINER" ond MODEL 80 "HIGHLANDER"
1           With the SI(.AN "Qr!r_"!" Meter,redtce actual light value by 2 or 3
         and set camera as follows:
           Outdoors-,lig-ht value 7; subtract 2 and set camera at position
                      "5"1 etc.
          Indoors         value 5; subtract 3 a.nd set camera at position                      -light"2", etc.
          With the S}(AIV "Deluxe" Meter, filI in the Memo Index on
          the-back,ald use Polaroid Camera settings as per light reading
          under which they appear, as follows:
                Light Value-6.5  13  25  50  100  200 400 800  1600           0utdoors-12345678
             fndoors-1234567





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