The four colour settings just next
to the the shutter speed dial presented by individual alphabet 'P', 'S', 'A' and
'M' are the exposure control mode selector. These represent the four basic exposure
control modes available in the Nikon FA (Flash is another one, but it works with
all these four settings with different ways). The respective 'P', 'S', 'A' and 'M'
are representing Dual
programmed AE), Shutter Priority AE, Aperture Priority AE and Manual Exposure controls. Confuse again ? Because the FA is an automatic
camera, depends on your needs and experience, you can use either one of these four
modes to get a pretty good and well exposed pictures. Moreover, the FA provides not
one but two meterng systems to handle metering. The center weighted metering are
available in ALL the exposure control methods, while the automatic multi-pattern metering system (AMP) can be use in all three automatic
modes (In manual mode, only the center weighted metering is provided) to ensure a
reasonably good exposure even in difficult lighting situations.
Each exposure mode has its own advantage, so does the metering system.
Metering System in
the Nikon FA
Virtually all cameras has a metering system to give you a guide what should be a
theoretical 'correct' exposure. These data are measured by a light sentitive metering
cell(s) that incorporated in the camera body. A neutral reference point is a metered
value reflected from a 18% grey card. Anything above is termed as over and data measured
below is considered as under exposed. Well, this is the older way of average metering
- it measures the across the whole picture frame and return with a suggested data.
Since most pictures have their subject of interest around the center of the picture
frame, the center portion was give some priority - that is how Nikon's termed their
metering system as 'Center Weighted Average Metering System'. That method was used
since the Nikon F Photomic TN and he Nikkormat FTn in 1967. The Nikon's viewfinder
has a unique 12mm circle, which gives you the outline of where the priority of measurement
given in a 60/40 composition. (Priority of 60% was given within the 12mm circle and
the rest was given 40% average measurement). But the Nikon FA changed the combination
to even more precise 75/25 instead of the 60/40 (Nikon F3's metering was the first
to change in 80/20 combination).
The Nikon FA has two options: the
conventional center-weighted or a 'new' matrix metering - in the early days of FA,
Nikon termed that as 'Multi-Segment Metering System'. When Nikon introduced the FA
they introduced to the world of this revolutionized matrix metering. Both of these
metering systems employ TTL (Through the lens) full-aperture exposure metering. This
means that light passing through the lens is measured at full aperture therefore
the viewfinder image is at its brightest until the moment of exposure.
The 'new' Matrix Metering System
This innovative metering system, along with other well-pleased combination, won some
judges' heart and thus, the Nikon FA was crowned as 'European Camera of the Year'.
It proved to be a trend setting technology over the years and was much copied by
even the competitions. Nobody doubts the fact Nikon has its leading edge in terms
of metering technology - until today (The Nikon F5 has leapfrog this pioneered technique
to new heights with its patented RGB 'color matrix metering'.)
While technological advancement,
more perfect techniques were introduced, the FA's original concept stays the same,
but today's high-tech matrix system is so much more sophisticated. In the matrix
metering mode, the
camera meters five areas- one corresponding to the viewfinder's 12
mm-diameter center circle and each of the viewfinder's four corner quadrants. The
exposure data will then be relayed to the camera's CPU, where it is evaluated and
compared with accumulated and programmed exposure scenarios to suggest a 'good exposure'
reading or exposure will be made.
How reliable
is the matrix metering
? The early days I can hear users voicing out with some differences of opinion expressed.
While the metering works well in many 'difficult' situations, but if you are concerned,
I am sure you will made some back up by varying some expsoures. Although I have never
seriously tested it, but generally it helps a lot where factor of exposure is secondary,
meaning to say, fast and responsive photographic situations. But as I said, if you
are not comfortable, there are many other means of exposure compensation methods
available. Anyway, as far as comfort level is concerned, this is very subjective,
I am leaving this part for you to tell in the message board.
 |
 |
 |
How to set the two metering system ?
There is a Metering Control Button (Fig.1) located at the bottom section of the camera, just next to the lens mount and below the self-timer lever. You can vary the two metering system and change from one metering method to the other between the center-weighted or the multi-patterns matrix metering with this button.
In its normal "out" position,
you cannot see the red index. In this position, the automatic multi-pattern metering
method is automatically operating with the camera set at any of its automatic modes
(P, A, or S) and with an AI-type Nikkor lens (AI, AI-S, Series E, and even the latest
AF lenses) mounted
on.
At any time, you can change to centerweighted metering by simply pushing in the button
(Fig 2). To lock it in position, holding the button as you rotate it clockwise until
the red index faces up (Fig 3). With the button at the "in" position, meterng
is always center-weighted. The center-weighted metering works in all the M, P, A,
or S mode.
Note: Regardless
of the position of the button, metering s always center-weighted in the manual mode
or when attaching a lens other than an Al-S Nikkor (Including the AF Nikkor), Al-Nikkor
or the Nikon Series E lens.
What if the metering control button is set to matrix and the shooting mode selector
is in the M position ? The camera will automatically set to default in center-weighted
metering then.
*There are additional info relative to these two metering system in the FA.
Duplication Work and Photomicrography
In copy work, slide duplication, and photomicrography, you must make exposure compensation with centerweighted metering, because these types of photography represent unusual contrast situations. Some lenses automatically switch the metering method to centerweighted. The table below shows the relationship between specific types of photos and proper exposure. Since this is meant to be only a guide, in practice you should make further compensation by experimentation until you achieve the proper results.
1) The exposure compensation
values listed below are reference data obtained when general purpose film was used.
With color reversal film or microfilm for duplication work, it is advisable to take
additional shots with + one stop exposure compensation as these films have very small
exposure latitude.
2) To avoid vibration, you can make the exposure by turning the illuminition on and
off.
3) It is advisable to use a cable release to eliminate camera vibration.
|
Subject |
Method
of exposure |
Exposure compensation |
Required accessories |
Remarks |
|
|
Copy work |
Photographs and pictures with continuous gradation |
Full -aperture or stop-down |
Compensation not necessary |
Micro
Nikkor 55mm f/2.8; |
For high contrast subjects, use of an 18% reflectance gray card in determining exposure is recommended With the card, no exposure compensation is required regardless ot whether the background is black or white |
|
Documents and drawings of high contrast |
Approx. + 1 to + 2 slops ror black letters on white background: approx. -112 to -1 stop for white letters on black background. |
||||
|
Slide duplication |
Slide with continuous gradation |
Stop-down |
Approx + 1 to +2 stops |
Micro-Nikkor
55mm f/2.8; |
When using Nikon Sl de Copying Adapler PS-6, set the flood lamp 30cm away from its opal plate |
|
Slide of documents and drawings photographed |
Approx + t-1/2 to +2-1/2 stops for black letters on white background. |
||||
|
0 to approx -1 /2 stop for white letters on black background |
|||||
|
Photomicrography |
Prepared specimen |
Stop-down |
Approx. +1 stop |
Microflex PFX |
Generally, results come out better w th more exposure in photomicrography. The compensation value on the eft is only a guide: determine the compensation value by test shooting |
| Back | Next | Various Exposure Control Methods 5/13 parts
| Back | to Main Index Page of Nikon FA
Other Technical
Issues
Relating to Nikon FA
Camera Instruction
Manual - HTML | PDF
(1.4 MB)
Main Reference
Map for Body -
HTML | PDF
(731k)
Specifications - HTML
| PDF (245k)
The AI-S Nikkors (related info | TTL OTF Flash Metering | Interchangeable Focusing Screens. The MD-15/MD12/MD11 Motor Drives | 3rd party Power Winder (new) | Flash Units - | SB-15 | SB-10 | SB-16B & Other Options | Databacks | Titanium Shutter | Variation : Mr Y K Wong from Singapore contributing 11 images of his Nikon FA GOLD
| Nikon FM series |
Nikon FE series |
Nikon
FA |
W A R N I N G: The New G-SERIES Nikkor lenses have no aperture ring on the lens, they CANNOT ADJUST APERTURES with any of these manual focus Nikon FE series SLR camera models; please ignore some portion of the content contained herein this site where it relates.
| Message Board | for your favourite Nikon FA camera
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Nikon / Nikkor Photographic Equipment
Shared Resources: MD-11 | MD-12 | 3rd Party Power Winder Only for FM2(n)/FE2/FA | Focusing Screens | Titanium Shutter | Flash Units - | SB-15 | SB-10 | SB-16B & Other Options | Databack | Nikkor lens mount (related info)
Others:- Nikon AF-TTL Speedlights | SB-20 (1986) | SB-22 (1987) | SB-23 | SB-24 (1988) | SB-25 (1991/2) | SB-26 (1994) | SB-27(1997) | SB-28 (1997) | Nikon SB-29(s) (2000) | Nikon SB-30 (2003) | Nikon SB-600 (2004) | Nikon SB-800 (2003) Nikon AF-TTL Speedlight DX-Series: Nikon SB-28DX (1999) | SB-50DX (2001) | SB-80DX (2002)
Nikon
BC-flash Series |
Original
Nikon Speedlight
SB-2
| SB-3 | SB-4
| SB-5
| SB-6 | SB-7E
| SB-8E
| SB-9 | SB-E
| SB-10
SB-11
| SB-12 | SB-14 | SB-140 UV-IR| SB-15 | SB16A | SB-17 | SB-18, SB-19 | SB-21A (SB-29) Macro flash | Flash Accesories | SF-1
Pilot Lamp
 |
Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models |
Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main
Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame |
Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto
Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |
 Index Page |
Special
Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm |
MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm
Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E
Recommended links to understand more technical details
related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my
friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen,
Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html
|
Back | Main Index Page of Nikkor Resources
|
Back | Main Index Page of Pictorial
History of Nikon SLRs
| Message Board | for your Nikkor optics ("shared" because I do wish some of you to expose to other's perspective as well. Isn't it a sad sate to see photography has to be segmented into different camps from the use of various labels)
about this photographic web site
 |
Home - Photography in Malaysia |
A contributing effort to Michael C Liu's Classic Nikon Site.
Credit: Chuck Hester for some of his beautiful images used in this site; Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input; Lars Holst Hansen, Danish 'Hawkeye' who shares the same passion; Mr Poon from Poon photo for their input; Ms Miss Rissa (Sales Manager) & members of the Technical Service dept. of Shriro Malaysia, local distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia & Singapore, in providing so many useful input to make this site possible. Special thanks to Mr MC Lau, who has helped with his images of the MF-12 databack. Michael Tan, Pertama Photo (603-2926505) for lending his original Titanium Shutter Display Unit. Dave Hoyt who has prepared the introductory page and offer some images of his FE2 in this site.. Hiura Shinsaku, Nikomat ML, Japan for his contribution on all the various images; A contributing site to a long lost friend on the Net. Note: Certain content and images appeared in this site were either scanned from official marketing leaflets, brochures published by Nikon and/or contribution from surfers who claimed originality of their own work to publish in this site based on educational merits. The creator of this site will not be responsible for any discrepancies that may arise from such possible dispute except rectifying them after verification."Nikon", "Nikkormat", "Nippon Kokagu KK" & "Nikkor" are registered tradename of Nikon Corporation Inc., Japan. Made witha PowerMac.