Mamiya 645 Pro with FE401 - spot metering issue

[Zzm]

Hi all,

I recently bought a Mamiya 645 Pro with the FE401 prism. When I meter in average mode, everything is working perfectly, and the light meter consistently agrees with my external meter. When I select spot metering or the AUTO-S, however, the only reading I get is a blinking "LT" in the LCD, indicating underexposure. Sometimes the numbers 2 and 1 blinks for a short time. This happens no matter where I point the camera. Am I doing something wrong, or is something wrong with my FE401?

Thanks in advance.

Z

 

[MattKing]

Welcome to APUG.

There may be a problem with your finder. First though, I would check the camera battery and make a point of cleaning all the electrical contacts on the camera and finder.

In case you don't have one, Mike Butkus' excellent site has a copy of the manual for the FE401 here: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/mamiya/mamiya_645_ae_prism_finder/mamiya_645_ae_prism.htm

If you use this manual I'd encourage you to send him his requested donation.

 

[Zzm]

Neither cleaning or changing the battery seems to do the trick. As far I can see, I'm doing everything right according to the manual. Can it be possible that dust or dirt is covering some part of the sensor, affecting spot metering only?

 

[images39]

Neither cleaning or changing the battery seems to do the trick. As far I can see, I'm doing everything right according to the manual. Can it be possible that dust or dirt is covering some part of the sensor, affecting spot metering only?

 

[images39]

I've seen this on mine, and if I recall correctly, I did one of two things and it cleared up: either 1) remove the back and re-attach it, or 2) remove the prism and re-attach it. I figured that there might not have been good contact, and removing/re-attaching corrected it (not sure, but it worked in any case).

Dale

 

[Zzm]

I've seen this on mine, and if I recall correctly, I did one of two things and it cleared up: either 1) remove the back and re-attach it, or 2) remove the prism and re-attach it. I figured that there might not have been good contact, and removing/re-attaching corrected it (not sure, but it worked in any case).

Dale

I see. That doesn't sound very promising. I guess I'll return it.

Thanks!