AE metering accuracy with AE-1P

Hi.

I know that A1 with any AE mode the metering will be more or less accurate because the metering is done in half stop stepping. For example with shutter priority set at 1/500 one can have usual f-stops like 2.8 and 4 but can also have half stop in between like 3.5. (Maybe its actual metering might even be more continuous so it can have f-stops like 3.1 and 5.24 or whatever, I am not sure about this.)

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But with AE-1 Programme like mine, you can only see discreet f-stops in the scale of one full stop like 1.4, 2.8, 4, 5.6, ... Now say you choose a shutter speed and actual metering is between 2.8 and 4, what does it do? Does it choose 3.5? Or does it choose either 2.8 or 4 depending how close they are to either one (thus over/underexposing by half stop)?

I'd like to try some slide films but I am afraid that half stop exposure error will be present everywhere. Does anybody have experience using slide films in AE-1P?

As far as I know, all the A series are continuous in adjusting the

aperture. You may not be able to select finer graduations, but the

camera's automation can select very fine graduations of steps.

I have used both the A-1 and AE-1P for many years, shooting

Kodachrome slides. Both cameras "choose" both aperture and shutter

speed on a completely stepless scale when used in AE mode. Even the

half-stops displayed in the A-1 are approximations of the actual

metered setting. It may read f/9.5, but may be using something like

f/9.77--whatever it likes best. When aperture is set manually, you

have only the half-stops available on the lens. Manually set shutter

speeds are likewise limited to the values on the dial. I've never

been disappointed in a slide exposure the camera made, IF I gave it

the right information. It's easy for a large light or dark area in

the frame to fool the meter into under- or overexposure. Meter with

the important part of your subject in the center of the frame, or use

the exposure lock button to substitute meter, and you should be happy

with the results. If you still encounter consistent over- or

underexposure, adjust the film speed setting to fool the camera. I

usually shoot ISO 64 at 80 for 1/3 stop underexposure. I set the

camera to underexpose a full stop for night photos such as fireworks,

carnivals. This gives me good AE results if the frame is mostly

filled with the lights. Lastly, to my eyes, 1/3 stop under is barely

noticeable, 2/3 stop noticeable, a full stop too much. Enjoy!