Minolta x300 Over-range at ALL stops on 400 ISO BW film

[daché]

Hello--

Analog enthusiast here who recently acquired a Minolta X-300. I shot a roll of film through it before with no problems. In fact, even the shots taken earlier on the same roll were fine.

However, today is a bright and sunny day in Oakland, CA and I decided to finish up the roll taking some shots around my neighborhood. Nearly every shot taken set off the Over-range LED indicator and I'm not exactly sure why. I tried to go down several stops but ALL stops were over range.

I have a feeling it won't affect my frames too much but would still like to know how to resolve this issue as I typically enjoy photography on bright and sunny days

Has anyone else experienced the same thing? How do you resolve this?

 

[Anon Ymous]

If you get an overexposure warning constantly, maybe you should try playing with the ASA (film speed) selector. AFAIK, most cameras had different resistors for different ASA speeds and if there's a wrong contact you may get weird readings.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Processing is another concern. Try a different lab.

 

[glbeas]

How were the shutter speeds? If it was stuck on a slow speed it might do this. Another thing to check is the lens itself. If the linkage is having a problem or is disconnected it'll go bonkers too.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

That's true. You view wide open and the lens stops down to your setting a moment before exposure.

I would guess either pilot error, sometimes I even get things wrong. (Shush, Steve) Or else something in your camera/lens is amiss.

 

[daché]

the photos ended up coming out just fine.

a guy at the lab suggested getting a lens filter, perhaps it was too sunny out and that caused the constant over-range indicator.

 

[jime11]

does your lens have the MC coupling tab or does it use "stop down" metering?

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Dache, the guy at the lab was upselling for a UV/Haze filter. Good for one thing, keeping the scratches on the filter rather than the front glass of a lens of a careless photographer. If you can keep track of your gear, don't bother. Just shows he hasn't the first clue as to what would cause incorrect exposure. Or correct exposure for that matter.