Nikon F2 Question

Barney

Barney

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Wayne
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Hello there,

My F2 is displaying a slightly different reading than my light meter, the meter on the Nikon looks to show about half a stop under what the light meter shows, I can appreciate that this may give a better/brighter exposure if set to the meter but is the light meter the more reliable indicator. The Nikon also shows slightly under in the sunny sixteen as well but could be because there is not a 400 shutter speed only 500.
 
Several variables.
First, and possibly most significant, is that they use different metering areas. The DP viewfinders for the F2 all use center weighted metering. On the other hand, your light meter may have any combination of area (angle of view) metering, incident metering, and spot metering. Area metering could be equivalent to center weighted metering depending on the lens in use (i.e. the meter could have a AOV equivalent to a 90mm lens which would be approx. CW with a 50mm lens attached).

Next is that several of the DP viewfinders use CDS cells. These cells are very slow to react to large changes in light levels... i.e. if you go from metering very bright to very dark the reading may be off for a short while. Later finders (DP3, DP12) use silicon blue cells. These cells are more accurate, don't have the memory effect, and tend to last longer. But, at this age any electronic component may in a stage of degradation... either could be less accurate than they were initially.

And finally, there is no absolute standard for light meters... different meters do not have to give the same exposure readings; but they are typically within ~ 1/3 stop. Even today there are something like 5 different metering standards that can give different results... AFAIK only two are typically used, and one (REI) is barely a standard at all.

I would say the best answer is to photograph a few scenes using both meterings and see if there is one that is consistently better to you. It might be that neither is optimal for your use; it was very common to set an ISO/ASA offset from the film rating as a default preference. No matter what the meter says, it may not be the exposure you really want; even today.
 
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Nikon F2 meters were originally calibrated on Mercury Oxide batteries which are no longer available, the modern alternatives give a higher voltage and your F2 meter may need some adjustment to work accurately on the new batteries.

I am guessing your hand held meter is probably more accurate than the 50 year old meter in your F2.

Andrew HATFIELD | Architectural and Interior Photographer
 
Thank you for your considered replies.

Food for thought.

(y)
 
ah5168 said:
Nikon F2 meters were originally calibrated on Mercury Oxide batteries which are no longer available, the modern alternatives give a higher voltage and your F2 meter may need some adjustment to work accurately on the new batteries.

I am guessing your hand held meter is probably more accurate than the 50 year old meter in your F2.

Andrew HATFIELD | Architectural and Interior Photographer
Click to expand...
Only the original Nikon F meters used 1.35v mercury batteries; all F2’s use standard 1.5v silver oxide cells.
 
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just to be the pedant,,,,the original nikon F didnt have a light meter,,,( i'll get me coat ) :)
 
When I bought my recent Yashica Mat 124g the meter didn't work so I purchased a battery to fit which as mentioned above is a slightly different voltage. I tested it against my phone App, the A7Riii and my Yashica FX3 and setting the ISO a stop slower seems to give it pretty consistent standard results.

I then tweak from that if I want it slightly over or whatever using my skillful judgement....... :ROFLMAO: :ROFLMAO:
 
donut said:
just to be the pedant,,,,the original nikon F didnt have a light meter,,,( i'll get me coat ) :)
Click to expand...
Very true - which is why I said the original F meters take mercury batteries, not original F cameras :p
 
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