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The Advantages of Model SP- I & SP 11 Spot Exposure Meter

The Model SP- I and SP-II Spot meters are professional exposure meters which measure an extremely narrow angle of illumination. With 1° spot, the Spot meters read a perfect exposure, enabling you to measure the key areas of the subject you are photographing. The meter's viewfinder contains a small circular mark, allowing you to pinpoint the exact area where a light reading is desired. This is extremely valuable when metering unapproachable subjects or in situations where conventional light meters tend to give inaccurate readings (i.e. when photographing subjects in bright sunlight on a beach or against a snowy background).

The Spot meters use an ultra-sensitive Silicon Photo Diode (SPD) so that extremely low light exposure measurement may be made.
The internal integrated circuits of the meters are very reliable and will give many years of trouble free service.

SPECIFICATION

Angle of incidence: 1° Angle of view:   15° (horizontal) 11° (vertical) Viewfinder:   Diopter adjustment system pentaprism and condenser.  Measuring system :   Model SP- I : Needle indicator                                     Model SP- II: Digital display  Measuring distance range:  1.5m - oo                                                30cm-1.5m (with use of 43mm close up lens)  Measuring EV range: Model SP- I : EV 2-18 (ASA 100)                                      Model SP-II:EV 1-19.9 (ASA 100) Accuracy (at 0°C-40°C): ±0.2EV ASA/DIN range:   ASA 6-6400/DIN 9-39 Aperture scale:   f 1-f 45 Shutter speed:   1/2000 sec.-30 sec. Cine speed:   8. 16. 32. 64. 128. fps. Measuring method:   Direct reading system.

Battery:   1 pc. 9 volt dry battery type (Eveready 522 or Mallory MN 1604 etc.) 
Lens:   100mm f 2.8, fully coated.
Weight:   Model SP-I:325 g  (w/out battery)   Model SP-II: 315 g

1. Object lens 2. EV scale 3. EV indicator mark  4. IRE scale 5. ASA/DIN window  6. Aperture scale 7. Shutter speed scale  8. Cine speed scale

 

9. Operating switch 10. LED battery check  (Model SP- I ) Hold button (Model SP-II) 11. Zero adjustment screw  (Model SP- I )  12. Sensing Spot 1 degree

13. Battery compartment  14. Socket for wrist strap  15. Indicator needle (Model SP- I )  16. LED display (Model SP-II)  17. Zero point (Model SP- I )  18. EV figures 2-18 (at ASA 100) (Model SP- I )

 

Operating the Spot Meter

1. Loading Battery: Take off the cover of the battery case in the base of the handle and insert the battery. Make sure that the battery is loaded correctly according to the plus and minus indications inside the handle. Press down on the battery and slide the cover back into place.

2. Battery Check: With the SP- I meter, the red LED lamp on the top left side of the handle grip will light when the battery is still on good condition. When using the SP-II meter, battery check is indicated directly in the view finder. There is no additional button to press. When the battery voltage starts dropping below usable range, a series of 8's will appear in the viewfinder. This is an indication that the battery should be replaced.

3. Setting ASA/DIN Film Speed: This is accomplished by turning the ASA/DIN scale to the required position indicated by the film speed you are using.

 

4. Using Meter: Hold the meter body grip pointing with your fore-finder to the switch button. View through the eyepiece and accurately place the subject you are photographing in the light sensing circle in the center part of the viewfinder.

a) When using the model SP- I meter, push the switch button and read the number at the position where the needle stays still.

b) When using the model SP-II meter, push the switch button and read the number that the LED display is indicating.

Now, transfer the number you have read in the viewfinder to the EV scale. The correct combination of shutter speeds and apertures will be indicated on the scales in the exposure dial of the left side of the meter body. You can select a suitable combination according to your photographic needs.

5. The Model SP-Q Digital Spot meter employs a flickerless circuit, enabling measurements under fluorescent light. A hold circuit enables the display to be frozen when the hold button is depressed. Since the model SP-II Digital Spot meter indicates EV numbers in the finder by means of a LED digital display, metering is easy with little chance of error. In addition, metering a subject in the dark may also be easily accomplished because of brilliant EV display in the finder.
The meter is very simple in use. You will notice, however, that some metering situations will cause the digital display to vary from 0.1 to 0.2 EV numbers rapidly. This is where the hold button comes into use. The hold button is located on the side of the meter. Pressing this button will freeze the LED display at one numerical value. Once this button is released and the trigger is released, however, LED display will disappear. This hold button will allow you to hold the display for as long as you have this button depressed.

6. Use of Filters: In case where filters are to be used on the camera lens, the exposure reading should be made by placing the filter in front of the meter's lens while taking a reading. This gives you the correct exposure including any filter factors automatically.   (Filter size of 43mm)

7. Zero Adjustment for SP- I Meter: If the needle does not return to the Zero mark when the meter is not in use, adjustment can be made by slowly turning the Zero adjustment screw to the right or left until the needle comes to a stop in the center of Zero mark.

Methods of measurement
The Spot Exposure meter can be used in a number of ways. Among these methods are:

A) General measuring of half tone reading method: This method is used to measure a half tone area or primary interest area of an object. In this way, the photographer is assured of a perfect exposure in relationship to his primary interest. For instance, if you are photographing a model against a varied background, the background would not be as important perhaps as the model's face. In order to get a proper exposure, therefore, you would take an exposure reading off the model's face. With this method of metering, your subject would be properly exposed, regardless of the background. This method can be employed in regards to such things as sports events, stage scenes or other high contrast lighting situations.

B) Averaging method: This is a method to measure an average light on a subject from a camera's location. With this method you would measure a highlight, a medium area and a shadow area. With these three readings, you would then take an average and expose your film according to that average. If the difference between the highlight and shadow area is within the range of reproducible contrast ratio of the film, the results will be good. When, however, the difference exceeds this range, the highlight area will be overexposed and the shadow area will be underexposed. For black and white film, the difference is approximately seven EV numbers. For ordinary color film, it is approximately five EV numbers. If the difference in your scenes is greater than the reproducible contrast ratio of the film, decide exposure value by measuring the primary subject area as in the general measuring method.
The following two methods utilize the IRE scale:

C) Highlight or while level reading method: This method was developed especially for color television filming, and can be applied for movie making and still photography. Reproducibility contrast ratio differs according to film type. the ratio is 1 : 10 for block and white film and 1 :20 for television. The Spot Exposure meter is provided with an IRE scale. On the IRE scale, the reproducible image range lies between 100% and 10%. Proper exposure can be achieved by measuring the highlight area of an object first and setting the IRE scale on 100%. In this case, only the shadow areas to be reproduced on the color film which occur above
the 10% indicator will be reproduced. Other area having light value falling below the 10% level will appear as unrelieved shadow. In such a case, additional illumination must be supplied.

D) Shadow or black level reading method: This method is just the opposite of the above. With this method you will be measuring light value of a shadow area and set it on the IRE scale. At the 10% mark, the numerical value read is an adequate exposure value. In this case, shadow detail to be reproduced on color film should occur between the 10% index and the 100% index or light level, Other areas having light falling above this index will appear washed out. Accordingly, when using additional illumination, it is necessary to reduce the light value to fall within this 100% index or to increase the reflected light. This measuring method is employed for bringing out detail of subjects with backlighting or for fully reproducing shadow area at night.

Addendum : The Spot Exposure meter comes complete with IRE scale which is designed especially for professional photographers in the areas of television filming, movie making and commercial photographs. This scale is based on the representative film sensitivity index used by the Japanese private broadcasting unit and was made specifically for television viewing, especially where a strict exposure control is required.
The IRE makings also indicate the respective divisions of the linear gray scale. The triangular index in the center which is used on most general exposure meters is the standard index and shows the average or optimum film exposure levels. The steps between 60% and 80% on the IRE scale are generally specified as a light level for facial tones. These will allow you to use your Spot exposure meter more effectively.
The Spot exposure meter is precision engineered to give the very best results for many years. The all plastic body requires no special care, however, never drop or bump the meter unnecessarily. It should be treated as the fine optical and electronic instrument it is. Avoid storing the meter in places with extremes in temperature or humidity. The lens should be kept clean and free of finger prints. It is advisable to remove the battery from the meter if you are not going to use it for some time.

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