Aperture on Mamiya?

Question by WannabeTechnoGeek: Aperture on Mamiya?
Okay, I am trying to wrap my head around when to use whole seconds on the Mamiya RZ67.

I have the standard (white numbers on the dial)
400 250 125 60 30 15 8 4 2

Whole numbers (in orange on the dial)
12 4 8

Then B (bulb flash)

I have experienced really poor exposures so far…the only photos I took that came out were in the studio-but they came out perfect, so the camera is in operating condition. But every time I attempt an outdoor shot, the film is practically translucent when I develop it. I meter with a Sekonic L-28c. (Shooting in “Sun setting light around 5-6 pm on the west coast-what should my shutter speed/aperture be?)

Should I be using half stops with the meter? Or whole stops? Or should I never use the orange whole stop numbers?
ok i got it…im going to process this film and see what comes of it. thanks.

Best answer:

Answer by Michael U
Your aperture is controlled on the lens?! (Not used Mamiya but I have used Blad and Bronica).

So the other numbers are solely for your shutter speed, agreed?

So you need to check your ISO and put the camera into manual. This sounds to me like you are getting the shutter speed wrong. B is not Bulb Flash – simply Bulb, surely? You can flash synch’ at every aperture.

You are underexposing by the sound of it – using neg not tranny? – it makes a difference as they work in reverse when it comes to emulsion coverage!

Your settings should be driven solely by the readings on your light meter – if in doubt take it to someone who can explain or consult your manual. Half stops will do.

The different colours are probably used to indicate different shutter speeds, that’s all.

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