How does the SL66E meter work?

Hi,

 

I have an SL66E but no instructions for it. I was able to download a set for the SL66 which is fine for the basics. However, I'm not sure

how the E's meter is supposed to operate. Sometimes I see the meter lights come on in the viewfinder (45degree prism finder) when I

lightly depress the shutter release. Sometimes this does nothing but then the lights will show up immediately after an exposure. The

battery is fine and the camera was serviced by Brian Mickelboro about 16 months ago when I bought it. I tend to use a handheld meter

anyway but I'd still like to know how to use the E's meter. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Bruce

<p>Lightly depressing the shutter release (unlocked of course) turns on the meter for about 20 seconds - provided you have a non-depleted battery - no need to keep the shutter release depressed; if the meter turns off, just slightly tap the shutter release again. Also, the meter will turn off (not operate) when the shutter speed is set to B or when the lens is stopped down with the stop-down lever on the camera. If a red LED is lit in the viewfinder, you are at least 1 EV away from correct exposure - change either shutter speed or aperture (or both). You can only use full shutter speed values (and full and half f-stops). A yellow indicates that you are at least 1/4 stop away from correct exposure.</p>

Many thanks, Dieter. That's just the info I needed. It looks as though my camera has an electrical problem as it doesn't

always work the way you say it should.

<p>The meter in the SL66E is very similar to that in the Rolleiflex GX. I had the same problem: sometimes not working, sometimes working only after the exposure was made. Eventually it stopped altogether. The battery checks ok. It's off to Germany to be fixed.</p>

<p>I think that Rollei found the transition to electronics very challenging.</p>

<p>My reply probably came too late, but anyways, I believe the SL66E and SL66SE cameras require lenses with a cam to turn on the meter. The older lenses that came out with the SL66 do not have that. You can, however, have the cam added to the older lenses. There are even official DIY kits for the conversion. Just need to line up the ring with the cam correctly. Different lenses require different conversion rings.</p>