Filter Factors for a TTL Camera - Photography Help Forum

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Q. Filter Factors for a TTL Camera

Asked by Kim Culbert (K=37070) on 3/5/2002

I've just bought some new filters, such as a BW red filter. My camera, a Nikon FG, meters TTL (I'm pretty sure). When I add a filter and depress the shutter halfway I would think that the light meter would give me the reading looking through the filter, so I wouldn't need to add on the filter factor. Am I right? Or do I still need to take in account the filter?

Don Fleming (K=54) - Comment Date 3/5/2002

You're correct. The filter factor is used when you use a handheld meter. A TTL meter is reading the light after it passes through the filter, so you don't have to adjust for the factor.

Kim Culbert (K=37070) - Comment Date 3/6/2002

Thank you!

Joshua Marker (K=15) - Comment Date 3/6/2002

This isn't strictly speaking true. Black and white film tends to be reactive to different colors differently. So, if you're using a colored filter, particularly red (B&W tends to be more sensitive to red than to other wavelengths)

To accurately calibrate, you should meter off a blank white surface in consistent light without the filter. Record the suggested settings. Then, use the filter factor of the filter. If it's, for example, 8x, figure out what settings would be three stops lighter. Put the filter on, meter off the same spot, and take a look at the difference in settings. This will give you a decent idea of how far off the meter gets when using the filter, which you can use to adjust when you use it.

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