Instruction Manual DFM 3 Digital flashmeter CF0300 0807 Swivel head Socket to connect the synchronizing cable Display Measuring button M Buttons to adjust the values Buttons to select the required function Battery compartment and cover 2 www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 Contents Page 1 Display ...................................... 5 1.1 The display and its elements....... 5 1.2 Duration of display....................... 6 2 2.1 2.2 3 3.1 3.2 3.2.1 3.2.2 3.2.3 3.2.4 3.2.5 3.2.6 3.2.7 The functioning of the DFM 3 6 Preparations................................. 6 Incident and reflected light measurement.......................... 7 The individual functions......... . 9 Setting the film speed . ................ 9 Measuring functions.................... 9 Flash readings.... ....................... ..10 Multiple flash... .......................... ...10 Shutter priority mode................... .11 Contrast measurement ... ........ ....11 Aperture priority mode.. ............ ...12 Exposure value EV.. .................. ..12 CINE scale (frames per second).. 13 3.3 3.3.1 3.4 3.4.1 3.4.2 3.4.3 3.4.4 4 5 Page Measurements outside the measuring range....................... 14 Display outside the display range. 14 Setting and measuring correction values......................... 15 Setting correction values............. 15 Measuring correction values....... 16 Canceling correction values...... 16 Important remarks concerning correction values......................... 17 Servicing and repairs............... 18 Technical data............................ 19 Brief instructions www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 3 Your DFM 3 is an exposure meter with digital display from Calumet. It measures ambient light and flash and it covers a wide measuring range with great accuracy. A wealth of knowledge in the area of light metering, based on many decades of experience in the manufacture of exposure meters, is now being made available to the user in the simplest manner possible due to microprocessor technology. As a result of its precise calibration, the DFM 3 measures with high accuracy and operation is exceptionally simple and convenient. Features characterizing the DFM 3: · Swivel head · Measurement modes: incident and reflected light · Measuring flash (with cord or noncord) with indication of the level of ambient light · Microprocessor controlled · Digital LCD display in tenths of stops · Analog contrast display in half stops · Storage of settings and readings · Programmable exposure correction combinations of a given reading · Recall of all possible shutter speed/aperture combinations of a given reading · Aperture or shutter priority pre-selection · Extremely convenient to measure flash · Covers the entire CINE scale (frames per second), including the TV standard 25 and 30 f.p.s. · Warning when range is exceeded · Automatic battery check · Auto off · Suitable for analog and digital photography 4 www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 1 1.1 1 Display The display and its elements Functions · Flash measurement · Ambient light measurement with shutter priority · Ambient light measurement with aperture priority · Ambient light measurement with read-out of exposure values (EV) · Entering the correction values · Setting the film speed Digital display of film speed ISO / DIN Display identification f for aperture Display identification EV for exposure value Analog aperture scale Left-hand digital display Aperture f · · Exposure value E V · Correction values · Multiple flash · Film speed in DIN www.calumetphoto.com 2 3 4 5 6 Display identification t for exposure time Warning sign BAT for battery check Display identification / for fractions of a second 10 Right-hand digital display · Exposure time t · Exposure extension factor CINE (frames per second); symbol · Film speed in ISO 11 Unit symbol m = minutes 12 Unit symbol s = seconds 7 8 9 © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 5 1.2 Duration of display If for approximately two minutes none of the buttons of the DFM 3 is pressed, the meter will be switched off automatically. The measuring and setting values stored in the memory will be maintained. · The stored values can be recalled by depressing the function or value buttons · New measurement is instantly possible when the metering button is depressed. The values of the last meter reading are stored until a new meter reading is taken. The DFM 3 is fitted with separate memories for continuous light and flash measurement. 2 The functioning of the DFM 3 2.1 Preparations Battery The DFM 3 operates with a 1.5 V AA-type battery (alkaline-manganese battery). Since the meter's power consumption is minimal, the battery will last for a long time. When the battery's capacity becomes exhausted, the BAT symbol appears on the display as a warning that the battery has to be replaced at the earliest possible opportunity. Measurements cease to be possible if the display only indicates BAT. The battery must be immediately replaced. To change the battery open the battery compartment of the DFM 3. Remove the exhausted battery and insert the new one. Ensure correct polarity "+" and "­" ! Push back the battery compartment cover. Battery changing deletes all stored values. 6 www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 Self-checking routine The microcomputer performs a self-checking routine as soon as the battery has been inserted. Every possible display segment appears in the display during this routine. The duration of the self-checking routine is approximately 10 seconds, but it can be interrupted by pressing any button. The factory programmed basic settings are automatically displayed as soon as the self-checking routine has been completed. Basic values ISO: 100/21 ° f: 5.6 COR: 0/ 1.0 EV: 12 t: 1/125 Flash: f 5.6 1/60 2.2 Incident and reflected light measurement The features and measuring capabilities provided by the DFM 3 are ideally suited for the dedicated amateur and the professional photographer. The swivel head will rotate through 180 degrees. This feature allows the photographer to read the values measured in the display, while the measuring head is directed towards the subject or light source. When you remove the diffuser dome, reflected light and contrast measurements can easily be taken. www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 7 Measurement by the incident method is far more accurate and reliable to establish the correct exposure setting than the calculating of a mean value obtained with the reflected light measurement in your camera. In the latter case, the reading depends upon the range of contrasts of the subject. However, there is not always a uniform distribution of bright and dark areas of equal importance within the subject. Incident light measurement is also imperative with inaccessible subjects. For this purpose it is necessary to select a point that has the same lighting level as the subject. And then a meter reading is taken that lies parallel with the projected connecting line between the actual subject and the camera. This very convenient method of light metering at a point with the same lighting level is highly recommended for outdoor shots. The measurement is performed with a complete 180° turn in front of the camera so that the reading is taken with the meter pointing towards the camera, i.e. opposite the actual picture shooting direction. Incident light measurement, i.e. with diffuser, also gives a precise reading of the brightness range of the lighting. Both kinds of lighting ­ flash and ambient light ­ are measured with great accuracy by the incident light method with diffuser. In addition to this, the DFM 3 also offers the reflected light measuring method. In this mode the diffuser dome must be taken off and the meter is pointed from the camera towards the subject. The meter now only measures with angle of 25 degrees the light reflected by the subject. Consequently, the reading always depends upon the inherent brightness of the subject!! This means that inherently brighter subjects are not precisely measured and therefore rendered darker. If readings are to be taken exclusively by the reflected light measuring method, then it is advantageous for the professional to use a grey card (18 % reflection) in this mode. The reflected light method is used to measure the subject contrast which is displayed by the DFM 3 on its analog scale (see Section 3.2.4 Contrast measurement, page 11). 8 www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 3 The individual functions 3.1 Setting the film speed · Select ISO with the function buttons · Set the required ISO value with the value buttons (display left: DlN value, right: ISO value) Once the film speed has been set, it is transferred to the memory of the DFM 3 and maintained when the meter is set to any operation function. It remains visible on the top right-hand side in the digital display. Any change of the film speed directly influences the stored paired aperture and shutter speed values. The selected film speed is retained in the memory until it is changed in the described manner. 3.2 Measuring functions ­ Ambient light measurement Select the required ambient light function with the corresponding function buttons. · · · · · Shutter priority in function t: a reading is taken for the corresponding aperture (see Section 3.2.3 Shutter priority mode ­ Ambient light measurement, page 11) Contrast measurement in function t: (see Section 3.2.4 Contrast measurement, page 11) Aperture priority in function f: a reading is taken for the corresponding shutter speed (see Section 3.2.5 Aperture priority mode, page 12) Exposure value measurement in function EV: preselect the shutter speed and the aperture is given as an analog value (see Section 3.2.6 Exposure value EV, page 12) CINE (frames per second) in function t: (see Section 3.2.7 CINE scale (frames per second), page 13) www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 9 3.2.1 Flash readings Readings can be taken with or without synchronizing cable. When used in conjunction with a synchronizing cable the flash is triggered by pressing the M button­the flash is automatically triggered and measured. · Select with the function buttons · Adjust the desired synchronizing speed with the value buttons. Sync range from 1 s to 1/1000 s (including 1/90 s) · Press the measuring button M. DFM 3 is operable for metering for a period of 45 s (meter readiness prevails as long as F remains visible in the display) · Trigger the flash The measured aperture (total of flash and ambient light) appears in the left digital display, and as a flashing mark on the analog aperture scale. The aperture for the share of ambient light is additionally indicated on the aperture scale (in our example f/8). 3.2.2 Multiple flash Occasionally the light output from a single flash may not be sufficient to enable you to work at the aperture desired. In that case, simply push the top value button until the desired f/number appears in the display. The digital display of the time t disappears and the number of flashes required is indicated (e.g.: F4 = 4 flashes). The DFM 3 will calculate up to a maximum of 10 flash sequences. 10 www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 3.2.3 Shutter priority mode ­ Ambient light measurement Select t with the function buttons (the last stored value appears · on the display) · Adjust the desired shutter speed with the value buttons Measure by pressing the measuring button M · The measured aperture appears in the left-hand digital display (accuracy: 1/10 stops), also as a rounded mark in the analog aperture scale Select alternative aperture/shutter speed combinations with the value buttons. · 3.2.4 Contrast measurement Select t with the function buttons · · Keep the measuring button M pressed while aiming the meter at various areas of the subject. The analog aperture scale displays the f-stop series between the two extreme values and with the actual measured value flashing. The first measured f-stop is displayed in the left-hand side of the display. It remains displayed as a reference value (e.g. of a grey card)). · After the measuring button is released, the entire measured contrast range is displayed on the analog aperture scale, and the last measured value will cease to flash. www.calumetphoto.com © CALUMET PHOTOGRAPHIC, INC. 2007 11 3.2.5 Aperture priority mode Select f with the function buttons · · Set the desired aperture with the value buttons. The intermediate 1/10 stop values stored from the last measurement appear when the aperture is preset. These are not valid, because the valid and actual 1/10th stops will only appear after the next meter reading is taken. · Measure by pressing the measuring button M · The measured shutter speed appears in the right-hand digital display Aut ...