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.

 

[ic-racer]

Can't one just set the aperture manually on that camera?

 

[Dan Fromm]

Can't one just set the aperture manually on that camera?

Yes, of course.

In my experience with S8 cameras, auto-exposure is easier to use and usually works well. Most of the ones I've used -- various Canons, Beaulieus, egg-shaped Bauers and, yes R8 and R10 -- offered manual aperture. I used it mostly in the Beaulieus. No available on the Canon 310XL, but mine (plural) always got exposure right and shot great footage. There's something to be said for low ratio zoom lenses. Against this, my Canon AZ814L seemed to have edge-weighted meter sensitivity, not averaging; I remember a shot of a billboard that nearly filled the frame and was badly underexposed.

 

[ic-racer]

Yes, auto-exposure is nice. I have one auto-exposure camera. This H8 has auto aperture, but with the wide-angle adapter shown, the sensor is blocked somewhat.
It is nice because the pistol grip release button defeats the auto-aperture when not filming.