Super 8 - Exposure Comp Question (+ e.g. Nikon F10)

[Coconut_Head]

Exposure Compensation when already at Super 8 camera's ASA limit



In 35mm photography, typically when metering and shooting at the maximum native ASA, say 3200, even if it has an exposure compensation dial of +/-2stops, it won't go -2stops to meter like 12800; and the same goes at the other end (6 won't meter go +2 to meter like ...1.5?).


Do Super 8 cameras typically work this way as well?


So for example, will a Nikon R10 that meters at a max of 640 but has a +/-2stop exposure compensation control not be able to meter at a stop or two higher exposure, as if its 1280 or 2560, respectively?
AKA will it still max at 640 despite the exposure compensation control saying it can meter 2 stops higher?

 

[loccdor]

Generally I think your answer is yes, but I know that not all 35mm cameras follow this behavior. Newer ones for example.

 

[swchris]

I don't understand what you mean by

> It won't go -2stops to meter like 12800

From my understanding you meant

> It _would_ go ... ?

 

[Nitroplait]

I don't understand what you mean by

> It won't go -2stops to meter like 12800

From my understanding you meant

> It _would_ go ... ?

I think he meant what he said.

The range/sensitivity of the meter doesn’t go beyond 3200. So either you can’t set it to +2 if ISO/ASA is set to 3200 or you can, but it will not matter.

 

[Dan Fromm]

Out of curiosity, I found a copy of the R10 user manual. It is a Super8 camera. Its metering system's film speed is set by the S8 cartridge. Range ASA 10-400 (daylight) and 16-640 (tungsten).

It has an exposure compensation control that can be varied continuously from 2 stops overexposure to 1 stop underexposure. Normal setting is 0.

In addition, the rotary sector shutter's opening can be set to full (160 degrees), 1/2 (80) and 1/4 (40). Discrete steps, not continuously variable. So in fact 2 and 3 stops of underexposure for, typically, a back-lighted subject are available.

I had an R10. The variable shutter angle was useful for in camera fades and, in conjunction with the in camera rewind, dissolves. For the work I was doing (travelogues), the dissolve facility was useless. I returned the camera because its f/1.4 lens t -stopped around t/3. The Schneider zooms on my Beaulieus t-stopped at their rated f/1.8 and f/1.4.