Practical Hints
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9. Correct exposure
As a basic rule, always point the camera while taking exposure readings exactly in the direction of the subject. Inadvertent tilting of the camera - for example, into the sky while taking landscape views - can falsify the reading and in this case lead to
The exposure meter evaluates the average brightness of the measured subject field. With.subjects of average contrast it automatically indicates the correct exposure. But even with shots of considerable brightness range you can take the readings in such a way as to ensure correct exposure for the main subject.
Normal subjects: the view is lit from the front or at an angle from the side. There are no heavy shadows, and dark and bright areas are balanced. (This uniform front lighting also yields the most saturated colours in colour shots).
Result: The measured exposure is correct for the whole field of view.
A special case: The main subject contrasts strongly in brightness against the background. For example, with a portrait of a suntanned face against bright clouds an average reading would give too much importance to the sky. Yet it is the head which matters for the exposure.
The right way: Take a
Substitute reading: If a
at a substitute object of average contrast and under the same lighting. Use the setting obtained for the exposure.
Against the light: When shooting against the light open the lens aperture by one stop (next lower f/number) .
For colour subjects to be taken on reversal colour film: Avoid very great brightness differences. A
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All this informations, texts, and Images were extracted from the "Rollei 35/35T/35S In Practical Use" and only intends to give some orientation to new users that didn't had access to the original manual. (c)