Minolta XG-M - Loading and Advancing Film

long as the next lower one {1 /30). The interval
between two standard f-numbers (say, f/4 and
f/5.6) or shutter speeds (say, 1/15 and 1/30} is
one ''stop/' Total exposure on the filnn is
determined by the combination of aperture and
speed. Other things being equal, using the next
smaller f-number (i.e., giving one-stop more
exposure) will balance using the next higher
shutter speed (i.e., giving one stop less expo¬
sure), and so on. A great range of combinations
(f/4 at 1/60 sec.)
(e.g., f/5,6 at 1 /30, f/4 at 1 /60, f/2.8 at 1/125,
f/2 at 1 /250, etc.) will thus yield the same total
exposure (see example photos below). The
specific combination you choose under given
lighting conditions will depend upon the degree
to which you want the greater depth of field
(see p. 34) of smaller apertures and the greater
movement-blur preventing ability of faster
speeds(p.26).
(f/5.6 at 1/30 sec.)
METERING WITH THE XG-M
The center-weighted metering system in
your XG-M employs two CdS cells mounted
behind the pentaprism so that light from all
parts of the viewfield (picture area) is measured
but influence from a broad central area is
greatest. Thus the reading should yield satis¬
factory exposure without adjustment as long as
the main subject area occupies a major part of
the fram e.
If the subject area to be measured occupies
a relatively small part of the frame, move the
camera so that the main subject fills most of
the frame. Note the shutter-speed setting in this
position and compensate for the exposure
difference with the exposure-adjustment con¬
trol or use manual speeds to set the same
value when making the exposure from the
original position. Further, if the most imporant
area is very much brighter or darker than the
rest of the frame and does not fill most of it,
exposure should be decreased or increased with
the same control from 1 /2 to 2 stops, the exact
amount varying-with the specific brightness
difference and the effect desired, (p. 29).
As with most metering systems, strong
sources of direct light or other very bnght areas
may influence the reading adversely if allowed
to dominate the frame.
Though your XG-M finder is designed to
minimize the effect on the meter of light
entering through the finder eyepiece under
usual conditions, care must be exercised to
prevent this especially if you wear glasses. Use
of a rubber eyecup is further recommended
when the subject is in shade and the camera is
in sunlight, when bright sidelight falls between
eye and eyepiece, or when stop-down metering
is used, particularly at small apertures (see
p 43). When viewing is unnecessary, the eye¬
piece cap (see p. 23) can be used to completely
eliminate this problem.