Minolta Launches the FLASH METER VI

September 25, 2002 – Minolta Canada Inc. will launch the FLASH METER VI (6) high-performance exposure meter. The FLASH METER VI newly incorporates the spot meter function as the highest-end model of the MINOLTA photographic-use exposure meters that have earned excellent reputations.

For professional and high-level amateur photographers, shutter speed and f-number settings are very important. The illumination light received by a subject, including flash light, will have a significant influence on photographs. In view of these conditions, the photographic-use exposure meter that measures exposure at the shooting scene is an “essential” tool.

In particular, the MINOLTA FLASH METER series has earned the support of professional and amateur photographers as multifunctional tools for professional use. The FLASH METER VI, newly-available as the succeeding model of the FLASH METER series, features a compact and stylish design using a dioptric system, and newly incorporates the high-performance spot meter function, in addition to the conventional analyze function, brightness difference function, exposure calculation function and other functions. Furthermore, the large-size LCD can display a film latitude together with a measured value, enabling users to simulate how the subject is reproduced on the film instantaneously, while displaying the incident light measurement result and reflected light measurement result (spot meter’s reading) simultaneously. The multifunctional FLASH METER VI can determine the optimum exposure according to sophisticated photographic expressions.

In the field of photographic-use exposure meters, which is the base of our measuring instrument business, Minolta has provided high-precision and highly-reliable products continuously for about 40 years as a leading company in this industry. We will continue to actively strive to meet the needs of a wide range of users, from amateurs to professionals.

Major Features

Integration of high-performance spot meter

• The FLASH METER VI incorporates the high-performance spot meter function with an acceptance angle of 1°, in addition to the conventional functions of the FLASH METER series that have earned an excellent reputation as professional tools. The FLASH METER VI not only functions as two different meters with a single unit, but also displays the incident light and reflected light measurement results simultaneously and compares them by using the latitude display function.

Compact and stylish design

• The built-in spot meter uses the high-precision dioptric unit based on MINOLTA’s advanced optical technology, providing a compact and stylish body.

Exposure decision process navigation using latitude display function

• The latitude* range based on the standard exposure measured by the flash meter (incident light measurement result) is displayed on the dot indicator of the analog scale. Simultaneously, the spot meter’s reading (reflected light measurement result) is displayed on the dot indicator of another analog scale. The user can visually check how each part of the subject is reproduced on the film by confirming the difference between the measured values for highlight and shadow areas on a subject and the standard exposure. Conventionally, the exposure decision process significantly depends on the photographer’s experience and know-how. With the FLASH METER VI, however, the user can easily determine the exposure suitable for the intended photographic image, because the exposure decision process can be instantaneously confirmed on the LCD.
  Latitude means the effective exposure range of a film. If the exposure on a subject exceeds the latitude range, the extremely-bright area will be saturated with white, and the extremely-dark area will be saturated with black on the film.

Multifunctional meter providing analyze function, brightness difference function, etc.

• Analyze function: With a single flash-light measurement operation, the FLASH METER VI can display the ratios of the flash light and ambient light on the LCD. The user can control the ratio of the flash light by changing the shutter speed setting, to produce the desired lighting effect according to the intended photographic image. The newly-equipped quadrant analyze scale improves the visibility.
• Memory function: With a push of the MEMORY key, the FLASH METER VI can store measurement data on up to 10 points.
• Brightness difference function: The FLASH METER VI displays the exposure difference between the predetermined standard value and the measured value on target points on the EV value display and the dot indicator of the analog scale.
• Exposure calculation (S/A/H) functions: According to the intended photographic image, the FLASH METER VI provides three types of exposure calculations (Shadow-based exposure, Average exposure and Highlight-based exposure).
• Custom settings mode: The display mode can be customized according to the user’s preference. The selectable shutter speed increment setting is “1-stop”, “1/2-stop” or “1/3-stop” increments. The selectable FNo. display mode is the conventional “intermediate stop display (1/10-stop increments)” or the “f-number direct-reading”** mode.
  ** The f-number direct-reading mode is useful for digital cameras providing intermediate f-number settings (e.g. F3.5, F6.5) that cannot be selected with conventional film cameras.

For more information, consumers can visit Minolta’s Web Site located at http://www.minolta.com.