288 THE HASSELBLAD MANUAL
The Spot meter in the H cameras measures about 2.5% of the total area within the 7.5
mm spot circle in the center, the Spot meter in 205 cameras measures about 1%, and PME
fi nders on 503 and other V system cameras set for Spot metering measure a 12 mm center
area. The measuring angle of a built-in spot meter depends on the focal length of the lens on
the camera and is unimportant since the focusing screen always shows the exact measured
area regardless of what lens is on the camera.
BRACKETING
Using the Hasselblad metering systems as described should give you very satisfactory expo-
sures. Bracketing, taking images of the same subject or scene at two or more different expo-
sure settings, should not be necessary in most cases or only after evaluating the histogram in
digital work. It is still recommended whenever you have any doubts about the result, when
you cannot fi nd subject areas of a known refl ectance value for metering, and especially when
you photograph subjects that have a high contrast range. Sometimes you may also want to
bracket to produce the most effective image, not necessarily the best exposure. The two are
not always the same. You may sometimes prefer a darker image because it is more dramatic
and has more color saturation. An early morning picture or a picture taken in the fog may be
more beautiful when colors are more on the pastel side, creating a high-key effect.
For critical work, especially in digital imaging, you probably want to bracket in
1
/
3
or
1
/
2
f
stop increments. For other work, bracketing in full f stops makes more sense. Manual bracket-
ing is the best approach in most cases.
On the H and XPan cameras, and on most 200 models equipped with a motor winder, you
can bracket automatically. This is a wonderful feature when you must work fast. A sequence of
three bracketed shots can be made in almost the same time as a single picture and without
moving the camera from the eye. The camera operation for automatic bracketing is described
in Chapter 4 for the H cameras, in Chapter 12 for the 200 models and in Chapter 20 for the
XPan camera.
EXPOSURE WITH FILTERS AND CLOSE-UP ACCESSORIES
When fi lters, extension tubes, teleconverters, or other accessories are placed in front of the
lens or between the lens and the image plane, the light reaching the image plane is reduced.
You must compensate if the meter reading is made with a handheld meter. The necessary
compensation for Hasselblad accessories is in the corresponding sections in this book. You do
not have to make any adjustments when using a built-in meter since the meter reading is not
only made through the lens but also through the accessory. With teleconverters or extension
tubes without Databus connections on 200 cameras, you must manually close down the aper-
ture for the meter reading.
On meter prism fi nders, set MAX at the maximum aperture engraved on the lens, as
you normally do. A meter reading with a meter prism fi nder attached to the focusing screen
adapter on the FlexBody or ArcBody should be taken before shifting or tilting, and exposure
tests are recommended.
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