Minolta X-700 question(or any camera with a light thing in the view finder)?

Question

Okay, I'm trying to learn how to use my Minolta X-700 better, I was just wondering what the little light meter thing in the view finder is and what it does....help? :D thanks!

Answer 1

It's a light meter.  It's trying to tell you the correct exposure.  Most look something like this.

-2 - - -1 - - 0 - - 1 - - 2

-2 means it is 2 stops under-exposed

-1 means it is 1 stop under-exposed

0 means correct exposure (according to light meter)

1 means it is 1 stop over-exposed

2 means it is 2 stops over-exposed

You use it by adjusting the shutter speed and aperture to get it at 0.  This will be close, but you've got to learn how your light meter works.  For example, if your shooting a wedding and you want to shoot the bride, you are probably going to have to over-expose the image to make the dress white.  If your shooting the groom, you are probably going to have to under-expose the image to get the tux black.

Sorry, just got a hold of a manual for your camera and saw how your light meter works.  You are correct, the numbers on the right side of your viewfinder are the metered shutter speed.  You turn the dial on the top to that number for the correct exposure.

Answer 2

The first person's response is correct; it is basically a light meter display.  It is not exactly as they described it, but it is a light meter.  In looking into your viewfinder, you may have noticed that it does not have the +2, +1, 0, -1, -2 in the display.  

     Down at the bottom is a little rectangle with the aperture number, or the amount of light the lens opening is set for.  It will range from something like 1.4 to 32 depending on the lens.  

     On the right side is a vertical list with the shutter speeds from 1000 (th) of a second down to 1 second.  On the top of the list is the "Over Exposure" LED.  On almost the bottom of the list is the "Under Exposure" LED.  At the bottom is the "Exposure Adjust" LED.  Above the list are three letters;  "M," "A," and "P."  

     Let's look at the last one first; the letters.  They work with the shutter speed dial on the top right side of the camera when you are holding it.  The shutter release is on it there also.  

     If you set the shutter speed dial to "P," and you have an "MD" type lens on the camera, turn the aperature or light control ring on the lens to the smallest opening (largest number like 16 or 22), and "lock" the lens with the little plastic piece that uncovers the green bar mark on the side of the lens.  With the film speed set on the ASA dial under the film rewind k**b, the camera will operate in "Program" mode and will do everything for you; a "point and shoot" camera.  The viewfinder display will show you if the camera thinks it can take a picture with that scene.  If the top "Over Exposure" or the bottom "Under Exposure" LED is blinking, you may need to put on a Neutral Density filter to reduce the light for "Over," or change to a faster film and ASA setting, or go to where there is more light for "Under."  

     By the way, while looking at the ASA film speed setting dial under the film rewind k**b, you might notice that there is a +2, +1, 0, -1, -2 "Exposure compensation" dial there also.  If you want to vary the exposure from what the meter says, you do it here.  The camera will take the recommended exposure from the light meter, and add in the exposure compensation you want to that light meter reading, to give you the effect you want in your picture.  Yes, exactly the kind of thing that the first person described is there on the camera, but just in a different place on this camera.  Remember that "Exposure Adjust" LED down at the bottom?  It comes on when you set the exposure compensation.  Again, this is a light meter thing.  

     If you set the shutter speed dial to "A," and you have either an "MD," an "MC," or even an old Auto Rokkor lens, the camera goes into "Aperture Priority" mode; you choose and set the lens opening (helps in selecting a "depth of field"), and the camera tells you what it thinks the shutter speed should be when you just toudh down on the shutter release button.  One of the little LED will light up next to the speed it has chosen.  If this is OK for you (hand holding down to about 1/60th, but not under usually), then fully depress the shutter release to take the picture.  If the "Over" LED is lit, change to a smaller lens opening (bigger f-stop number on the lens control ring), or put on a Neutral Density filter, or change to a slower ASA speed film.  If the "Under" LED is lit, change to a larger lens opening (smaller f-stop number), or change to a faster ASA speed film.  

     If you set the shutter speed dial to any of the numbers on the dial, including "B" for "bulb" or a long time exposure, the camera assumes that you want to be in "Manual" mode, and it lights up the "M."  The camera thinks you want to do everything, so it will just meter the scene for you and tell you what it thinks the shutter speed should be set to.  You set the lens opening, the aperture, and it recommends a shutter speed for the lighting of  the scene it sees through the lens.  Here you can set the shutter speed to something else, but the light meter will continue to make the same shutter speed recommendation inside the viewfinder.  It does not show you what shutter speed you have set.  You need to look at the shutter speed dial to see if it matches the display inside, or if it is what you what to do to take a creative picture.  Again, if the "Over" or "Under" LED is lit, then some change may be needed to correctly expose that scene with that film.  

     For more complete information, try to get a copy of the Minolta X-700 Owner's Manual.  

     I am sorry that it seems like this has been part of a course in photography, but that is needed to fully describe what is going on inside your viewfinder.  You have a very capable camera.  With the accessories available for it, the Minolta X-700 is one of the most versatile camera systems ever presented to the photography public.  It can literally go from microphotography to astrophotography covering everything in between.  I like mine.  

Ralph Javins, N7KGA  

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