[rollei_list] Yet another question, about F/G Rollei meters
- From: Kirk Thompson <thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Rollei List <rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 22:00:35 -0800
I've shot a first roll to check out my new/used FW, and have learned a couple
of things – but what's most important now is what I don't understand: Lacking
a manual, I'm not sure how the meter works.
By depressing the shutter half way, I can turn on the red-yellow-green LEDs and
adjust exposure appropriately. I found the meter is within 1/2 stop of my
hand-held meter and very consistent with it, if I lower the ISO by 1/2 stop. I
hadn't planned to use the meter, but occasionally I may want to (as I do with
F).
What I don't understand is the Off-On mechanism of the meter. At present I
can activate it only by depressing the shutter half way. I can't turn it off
except by waiting for it to go off automatically after a bit of time has
elapsed.
Examining the camera, I guessed that the small green button above the focus
knob was a meter switch. But when I push it, a green light goes on beside the
knob, but the meter's LEDs don't go on. Is this a malfunction, or am I looking
in the wrong place?
That's my only real difficulty so far, but I've noticed a few things:
1. The camera is mostly very beautiful but in some respects just a little bit
shoddy. It's not as heavy as I expected, and the crank and strap holders, for
example, look like aluminum rather than the usual shiny steel. I hope the
modest weight doesn't mean there are too many cost-cutting parts inside!
2. There's no eye-level viewfinder at all in the FW – the front of the
viewfinder opens, but the viewing rectangle in the back is solid metal.
I know the viewfinder can't show a WA view, lacking the Newton glass
from the older RolleiWides. But I'd assumed I could frame the image,
locate the center, and re-aim from eye-level, which is an advantage when
photographing architecture. (Viewers expect an eye-level, not a
chest-level, point-of-view of architecture). I can't say I care about
this much though.
3. There are no bellows-like internal light baffles (perhaps this feature
could interfere with 50mm lens coverage)?
4. I was surprised to find a modern hot shoe below and to the rear of the
focus knob. I wonder if it could handle a Leica SF58 flash – or whether the
camera's or the flash unit's circuitry might mismatch &/or be damaged.
5. The shutter release is remarkably stiff. I normally use a cable release
when hand-holding Rolleis, to prevent camera movement; but a small cable
release has trouble tripping the FW's shutter, and a heavier one might show up
in the corner of images. The camera came with a tiny soft-release button, and
I wonder if using this, rather than a cable release, is advised?
I hope I'm not being too annoying as a Newbie to newer Rolleis. If there's an
on-line source for an English manual – any model with the modern meter – I
haven't been able to locate it and would deeply appreciate directions to the
site. (DHW didn't answer my inquiry.)
With thanks for any further advice,
Kirk
> From: thompsonkirk@xxxxxxxxxxx
> Subject: [rollei_list] Re: Another question about recent Rollei TLRs
> Date: Sat, 7 Jan 2012 18:52:16 -0800
> To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
> Thank you and please do!
>
> Kirk
>
> On Jan 7, 2012, at 5:04 PM, Ferdi Stutterheim
> <F.W.Stutterheim-77@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Kirk,
> >
> > Congratulations on this purchase. I managed to find a data sheet of the FW.
> > It is in German language only but it shows the MTF curves of the
> > Super-Angulon. Would it be of any use to you? I could mail the PDF.
> >
> > Ferdi.
>
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