FLASH METER VI Instruction Manual Manuel d'instructions The essentials of imaging L'essentiel de l'image E F Instruction Manual FLASH METER VI Thank you for purchasing the MINOLTA FLASH METER VI. The Minolta Flash Meter VI has the following features: The integrated exposure meter combines incident light measurement and spot (reflected light) measurement in a single unit. For spot measurement, the Flash Meter VI uses a parallax-free optical system. This eliminates the displacement of the measurement area that varies with the distance from the subject. With the latitude display function, the Flash Meter VI can simultaneously display the results of both incident light measurement and spot light measurement. It provides a clear and simple graphical decision process for determining the exposure suited to the nature of the photograph. With the analyze scale, you can determine the proportion of flash light and ambient light in a single flash light measurement. The Flash Meter VI provides a memory function capable of storing up to 10 measured values; an averaging function that calculates an average exposure from stored measurement data; and a brightness difference function that displays deviation from the standard exposure. For spot measurement, both shadow-based and highlight-based exposure calculation functions are provided. The Flash Meter VI provides a "custom setting (Alt) mode" that allows you to customize the meter according to your preference. This feature includes an exposure correction value setting function and a shutter speed increment-setting function. Measurement results are shown on both the analog and digital displays on the meter's data panel. The clear and legible display eliminates reading errors. The results of spot measurements are shown on the digital display in the viewfinder and on the external data panel. The viewfinder features a dioptric adjustment mechanism. In addition to displaying a conventional 10-level intermediate f-number display, the Flash Meter VI provides an f-number direct reading display. This enables the measured value to be applied to any camera with an fnumber direct reading display, eliminating the need for f-number conversion. Safety-related Icons The following icons are used in this manual to alert you to important information for preventing accidents due to improper handling of equipment. This denotes a safety-related caution. Read the caution carefully to ensure safe use of the product. This denotes actions to be strictly avoided. Make sure to avoid these actions. This denotes actions to be avoided. Do not attempt to disassemble the product. Safety Warnings and Cautions To ensure proper use of the instrument, take special care to observe the following handling instructions when using this instrument. Read this instruction manual carefully and keep it securely in a place where you can refer to it readily. WARNING indicates a danger that improper use of the instrument will lead to the death or serious injury of the user. Do not use the instrument in a place where inflammable or combustible vapors (e.g. gasoline) are present. Otherwise there is a risk of causing a fire. Do not throw batteries into fire. Do not recharge (nonrechargeable batteries), short circuit, heat or disassemble batteries. Otherwise, there is a risk of causing fire or injury due to an explosion or fluid leakage. Never attempt to disassemble or modify the instrument yourself. Otherwise there is a risk of causing fire or electric shock. Table of Contents Never attempt to look directly at the sun through the viewfinder of the meter. Doing so will damage your eyesight. The instrument should not be operated if it is damaged, or smoke or odd smells occur. Doing so may result in a fire. In such situations turn off the power immediately, disconnect the AC adapter, and contact the nearest authorized service facility. Names of Parts and Displays Data panel displays Viewfinder display Preparations Battery 1. Preparing 2. Inserting 3. Checking Setting film speed Setting instant film speed for test shooting Selecting a measuring method suitable for the light-receiving method 1. Incident light measurement 2. Spot measurement * Difference between incident-light and Spot (reflected-light) readings Basic Operation Select a measuring method Measuring ambient light 1. With a still camera 2. With a cine camera Measuring flash light 1. With a sync cord 2. Without a sync cord (Incident light measurement) * Light Ratio Analyze function Special Functions Latitude display function * Combining incident light measurement and spot measurement Memory function S/A/H (Shadow/Average/Highlight) calculations Brightness difference function * Measuring lighting ratio using the Flat Diffuser * Using the Flash Meter VI as a simplified illuminance meter * Using the Flash Meter VI as a simplified luminance meter Custom settings mode (Alt mode) Accessories Care and Storage 1. Care 2. Storage Handling Instructions After Service Specifications 2 4 8 9 9 9 9 10 12 13 14 14 15 16 19 19 20 20 24 27 27 32 36 38 38 40 42 45 52 58 63 63 66 74 75 75 75 76 77 78 CAUTION instrument will lead to injury to the user or to property damage. Do not use any batteries other than those designated for use with the instrument. When fitting batteries, make sure to align them according to the polarity shown on the instrument (plus "+" and minus "-"). Otherwise there is a risk that the batteries may leak or become damaged, leading to fire, injury or pollution of the surrounding environment. Do not walk around while looking into the viewfinder. Doing so may result in a fall or other accident. indicates a danger that improper use of the STATEMENT OF FCC COMPLIANCE This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: - Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. - Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. - Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. - Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003. E1 Names of Parts and Displays Names of Parts and Displays Incident light receptor Spot measurement viewfinder Spot measuring button POWER button Dioptric adjustment dial Incident light measuring button Up/down dial Data panel ISO button LATITUDE button MODE button MEMORY button S/A/H button Sync terminal CLR (Clear) button Instant film ISO button Strap eyelet Battery chamber cover E2 E3 Names of Parts and Displays Names of Parts and Displays 1. Analog scale status indicator The left (L) and right (R) analog scales are used for incident light measurement and spot measurement, respectively. 2. Analog scale L The display of the pointers corresponds to measurement data and memory data for incident light measurement. It also corresponds to the standard exposure or latitude for incident light measurement or spot measurement. Upper limit The small digit to the right of the two-digit reading (f-number) on the digital readout Standard indicates a fractional value between stops. The value value shown on the analog display is rounded down or up to the nearest 0.5 stops. (Values of Lower limit 0.2 or lower are rounded down to 0; those of 0.3 to 0.7 are rounded to 0.5; and those of 0.8 or greater are rounded up to 1.) When a latitude range is indicated, all dots between the upper and lower limits are lit. 3. Analog scale R The display of the pointers corresponds to measurement data and memory data for spot measurement. The small digit to the right of the two-digit reading (f-number) on the digital readout indicates a fractional value between stops. The value shown on the analog display is rounded down or up to the nearest 0.5 stops. (Values of 0.2 or lower are rounded down to 0; those of 0.3 to 0.7 are rounded to 0.5; and those of 0.8 or greater are rounded up to 1.) 4. Measurement data status indicator When a value measured with incident light measurement is displayed, the indicator appears. When a value measured with spot measurement is displayed, the indicator appears. Data panel displays 1. Analog scale status indicator 4. Measurement data status indicator 5. S/A/H indicator 6. indicator Pointers 3. Analog scale R 2. Analog scale L 5. S/A/H indicator Holding down the S/A/H button while a measured value is displayed lights the S, A or H indicator corresponding to the currently selected mode. 6. indicator This indicator turns on when the LATITUDE button is pressed. For the purpose of explanation, the diagram above shows all indicators that light up on the LCD. E4 E5 Names of Parts and Displays Names of Parts and Displays 7. Digital readout When the measurement data display unit is set to "FNo." or "FNo. direct reading," the f-number (FNo.) is displayed. When the display unit is set to "EV," the exposure value (EV) is displayed in 0.1-stop increments. For flash light measurement, only the FNo. display mode is available. Holding down the incident light measuring button or spot measuring button (which activates the brightness difference function) in latitude display mode causes EV (deviation from the standard exposure) to be displayed. When the measuring button is released, the standard exposure is displayed. 8. Shutter speed/framing-rate display Displays the shutter speed or frame rate specified with the Up/down dial. When shutter speed is between 0.6 to 50 sec, s is displayed; between 1 min. and 30 min., m is displayed. Setting range: Shutter speed: 30 min. to 1/16000 sec. (1, 1/2, 1/3 stops) Framing-rate: 8, 12, 16, 18, 24, 25, 30, 32, 64,128 f/s 9. Analyze scale Displays the proportion of flash light in the total exposure value obtained from flash light measurement. For more information on the Light Ratio Analyze function, see p. 36. 10. Flash light measuring indicator This indicator appears together with the analyze scale in CORD and NON CORD mode. 11. Film speed display Displays the film speed setting. Holding down the instant film ISO button displays the Setting range: ISO 3 to ISO 8000 7. Digital readout 8. Shutter speed/framingrate display 9. Analyze scale 10.Flash light measuring indicator 11.Film speed display 12.Measuring mode display indicator. For the purpose of explanation, the diagram above shows all indicators that light up on the LCD. 12. Measuring mode display Displays one of the three measurement modes (AMBI, CORD or NON CORD) according to the setting of the MODE button. Repeatedly pressing the MODE button cycles the measurement modes in the following sequence: AMBI CORD NON CORD AMBI E6 E7 Names of Parts and Displays Preparations Battery WARNING Do not throw batteries into fire. Do not recharge (nonrechargeable batteries), short circuit, heat or disassemble batteries. Otherwise, there is a risk of causing fire or injury due to an explosion or fluid leakage. Viewfinder display 15.Measuring index circle CAUTION Do not use any batteries other than those designated for use with the instrument. When fitting batteries, make sure to align them according to the polarity shown on the instrument (plus "+" and minus "-"). Otherwise there is a risk that the batteries may leak or become damaged, leading to fire, injury or pollution of the surrounding environment. 14.Viewfinder FNo./EV display 13.Viewfinder indicator For the purpose of explanation, the above figure shows all available indicators on the display. 1. Preparing The instrument uses a single alkaline dry cell (LR-6/1.5 V). 13. Viewfinder Same as the indicator indicator on the external data panel. 2. Inserting 14. Viewfinder FNo./EV display Displays an f-number (FNo.) or exposure value (EV) during spot measurement. 15. Measuring index circle The circle's internal area indicates the measuring area for spot measurement. 1 Remove the battery it chamber cover by sliding lightly in the direction of the arrow. the battery with the 2 Insert(+) and minus (-) ends plus oriented according to the diagram in the battery chamber. E9 The meter will not work if the battery is inserted in the wrong direction. E8 Preparations Preparations If you turn on the meter when the battery power is running low, "b.c." w ...