howard_m

<p>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HSL_and_HSV</p>

<p>In looking over pages 169-170 of the manual, there is nothing to indicate that the metering system couples to the AF system in that way. You have 4 metering modes: eval, centerw, partial, spot. Eval by it's very definition looks over the entire scene. CenterW is the classic center weighted, partial is 6% around the center and spot is 1% around the center.</p> <p>You say that you use eval on your 7D so that tells me that doesn't 'move' when you move to a different AF point.</p> <p>So, unless I'm missing something, the only way you're going to get accurate metering off the AF point is when the AF point happens to be in the dead center and you're using spot (or maybe partial) metering mode.</p> <p>if you're metering is that far off, are you sure you dont have exposure compensation dialed in? does the metering system (evalutaive) work correctly for average shots (not heavily backlit or something)?</p>

<p>well, first off, I'd suggest learning about the basics of off-camera manual flash because that is what you have. there is no communication about f-stops or anything. the only thing that communicates is the camera to tell the flash 'fire now'. Everything else is up to you. The ISO, aperture, speed, flash distance to subject, light modifier, wattage are all factors into answering the 'what setting do I use' question.</p> <p>Verify that your Sekonic does 'flash' (and is not just a basic light meter) and you can do all this learning/practice w/ your 5DII and immediately see the results on it's LCD vs. wasting boatloads of film & time.</p>

<p>I think all you need to do is get a USA power cord and change the modelling lamp and you'll be fine. The internal circuitry can handle it.</p>

<p>you may want to consider borrowing/buying a flash meter. </p>

<p>often, if there appear to be 2 fuses, it actually means that one of them is an unpowered 'spare' for the case when/if the actual fuse blows.</p> <p>You'll almost assuredly have to get a US compatible modelling lamp.</p>

<p>agreed and add to that the 'mystery' of a new design ala the 4900 which took a while to discover that it could be prone to serious head clogging.</p>