Nikon F2AS

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EXPOSURE MEASUREMENT - continued

Eyepiece Shutter Operation H igh-Contrast Lighting S ituations

The camera’s Photomic finder is fitted with an eyepiece shutter for special unmanned shooting situations (e.g., remote control, automated shooting with motor drive and aperture control unit) requiring protection against the entry of stray light through the viewfinder eyepiece. To close the shutter, simply turn the eyepiece shutter control 60

°

clockwise; as the shutter closes, the internal LEDs are deactivated and the external “correct exposure” indicator is switched on for metering operation from atop the finder. To set the camera for proper exposure using the external LED indicator, simply adjust the aperture ring and/or the shutter-speed selector until the LED just glows; once the LED comes on, the camera is set for correct exposure.

In addition to its use for low-light metering or for unmanned photography, the eyepiece shutter comes in handy to ensure correct exposure measurement in critical shooting situations

(e.g., photomicrography) or for protection against the entry of bright light into the viewfinder during daylight shooting.

When there are substantial brightness differences between the main subject and the background, unimportant bright spots or dark spots can adversely influence the finder reading, and thus the final exposure. To prevent under- or overexposure of the main subject under these shooting conditions, some corrective action must be taken to ensure proper exposure of the main subject. Fortunately, the finder’s center-weighted TTL metering action simplifies adjustments, making for quicker camera operation and more accurate final results.

To compensate for an excessively bright or dark background, target the main subject in the center of the focusing screen while performing metering; this action ensures that the main emphasis of the meter reading will be on the chosen subject.

Then, after completing aperture and shutter speed adjustments, recompose to the desired picture composition and make the exposure without readjusting the camera controls. For example, when shooting landscapes, it is often advisable to aim the camera slightly downward during exposure measurement to eliminate the effects of a bright expanse of sky; without such compensation, the landscape may appear underexposed in the final print. Also, for backlit subjects, it may be necessary to move closer to the subject to ensure a proper reading.

• Metering with a bright area in the center will cause underexposure of the main subject.

• For correct exposure, first measure the main subject; then, recompose and shoot.

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