Hi. I know that A1 with any AE mode the metering will be more or less accurate because the metering is done in half stop stepping. For example with shutter priority set at 1/500 one can have usual f-stops like 2.8 and 4 but can also have half stop in between like 3.5. (Maybe its actual metering might even be more continuous so it can have f-stops like 3.1 and 5.24 or whatever, I am not sure about this.)

But with AE-1 Programme like mine, you can only see discreet f-stops in the scale of one full stop like 1.4, 2.8, 4, 5.6, ... Now say you choose a shutter speed and actual metering is between 2.8 and 4, what does it do? Does it choose 3.5? Or does it choose either 2.8 or 4 depending how close they are to either one (thus over/underexposing by half stop)? I'd like to try some slide films but I am afraid that half stop exposure error will be present everywhere. Does anybody have experience using slide films in AE-1P?

-- Pil Joo (gjoo@po-box.mcgill.ca), May 15, 2000

Answers

As far as I know, all the A series are continuous in adjusting the aperture. You may not be able to select finer graduations, but the camera's automation can select very fine graduations of steps.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), May 28, 2000.

I have used both the A-1 and AE-1P for many years, shooting Kodachrome slides. Both cameras "choose" both aperture and shutter speed on a completely stepless scale when used in AE mode. Even the half-stops displayed in the A-1 are approximations of the actual metered setting. It may read f/9.5, but may be using something like f/9.77--whatever it likes best. When aperture is set manually, you have only the half-stops available on the lens. Manually set shutter speeds are likewise limited to the values on the dial. I've never been disappointed in a slide exposure the camera made, IF I gave it the right information. It's easy for a large light or dark area in the frame to fool the meter into under- or overexposure. Meter with the important part of your subject in the center of the frame, or use the exposure lock button to substitute meter, and you should be happy with the results. If you still encounter consistent over- or underexposure, adjust the film speed setting to fool the camera. I usually shoot ISO 64 at 80 for 1/3 stop underexposure. I set the camera to underexpose a full stop for night photos such as fireworks, carnivals. This gives me good AE results if the frame is mostly filled with the lights. Lastly, to my eyes, 1/3 stop under is barely noticeable, 2/3 stop noticeable, a full stop too much. Enjoy!

-- Alan Swartz (swartz@tyler.net), June 05, 2000.