Nikkormat FT3 metering

I recently purchased a Nikkormat FT3 with six months warranty. I've

noticed that the light meter seems to switch itself off if I select a

wide aperture and slow shutter speed together. Can anyone tell me if

this is a feature of the camera (indicating that the lighting is

outside the meter's effective range, I guess), or a problem that

needs to be fixed?

Best wishes,

Chris Tidy

That is normal behavior, and indicates you've exceeded the meter's

range, as you suspected. I've forgotten the exact

aperture/shutter speed/film speed combo that will cause

it to happen, and it will vary depending on the max aperture

of the lens you have mounted (faster lenses will meter in

dimmer light).