Hello! I’m new to this group. I started shooting with a canon m50 two years ago as my first camera and have recently began to experiment with 35mm film. I picked up a AE-1 from Japan with an FD 50mm 1.4 SSC. The problem is that the cameras light meter will read 2-3 stops higher than my handheld light meter. I thought it was an issue with the meter itself, but when I tried my Helios 44-2 I was surprised to find the metering was dead on. I checked the aperture diaphragm and it’s fully open and moves smoothly. I did notice that instead of the green ‘A’ on the aperture ring is replaced with a green ‘O’ I haven’t seen this on any other lens of the same make. Im wondering if this model has been modified or is even a knock off.. Has anyone else experienced metering issues like this? (Update) I’ve recently discovered that the AE-1 adjusts the exposure meter a few stops when the 50mm is installed via a pin on the lens that hits a switch in the mirror box. I still could not find information on why it does this, and if I can use those settings for proper exposure. Also if I install my Helios 44-2 does that need to be manually stopped down since it lacks the pin? so confused.
Welcome to the forum, Nick. Cool camera, I have one also, I have not had this issue so far. Do you have any other lenses to try and see if you get the same results.
Thanks! Glad to be here. I do have another lens, it’s a Helios 44-4 that I use with an adapter. It reads correctly when compared to my handheld meter. This lens does not engage the ‘full aperture signal pin’ in the camera though. Would you Be willing to test something? When I half press the shutter to take a reading, and then press in the signal pin in the mirror box, I can watch the exposure meter increase. This is what’s happening when I install the 50mm Does it do this on yours?
https://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/canon/fdresources/fdlenses/index3.htm https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/1213194 Its the first generation of FD, referred to as their breech lock lenses... I haven't fully digested all the details yet, but they should be fully compatible. (Sorry most my experience in 35mm is in Pentax K mount) Does the lens perform a few stops of no matter if the aperture is set manually or if in auto "O"??? My concern is if the aperture is sticky or not or if the lens is simply misreading in auto. I would fire it at all apertures and confirm they are stopping down correctly, then asses if auto is stopping down to the same stop.
