Affordable spot meter w/ Aperture Priority mode

[DC1221]

Trying to work on zone system with B&W film, so I'm looking for an affordable 1 degree spot meter that allows me to set aperture and will display correct shutter speed. Looking through manuals online is showing the Minolta Spotmeter models only allow you to select ISO and shutter speed, but will read for aperture. I know the Sekonic meters do this but they're going for $400~ on eBay and I'd rather spend about half of that.

Any suggestions? Or am I misreading these manuals?

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Is there a reason why you prefer aperture priority? I've gotten by for 30 years with a Minolta Spot Metre F and do not miss not having aperture priority. These metres are affordable. A couple weeks ago, I picked up a Sekonic L-558 for $137 in mint condition. Found it at a local thrift store. I couldn't believe my luck!

 

[Chan Tran]

Trying to work on zone system with B&W film, so I'm looking for an affordable 1 degree spot meter that allows me to set aperture and will display correct shutter speed. Looking through manuals online is showing the Minolta Spotmeter models only allow you to select ISO and shutter speed, but will read for aperture. I know the Sekonic meters do this but they're going for $400~ on eBay and I'd rather spend about half of that.

Any suggestions? Or am I misreading these manuals?

Do the math in your head. Just need to read the LV (or EV) with the meter and almost all spotmeters can do that.
If you meter readout in LV then you need to account for the ISO (like the pentax spotmeter), the Minolta would readout in EV so you don't have to just set the correct ISO.
Now for example if you have a reading of EV 12.5 and you pick f/7.1. f/7.1 is 5 and 2/3 so subtract that from 12.5 you have 6.8 which is 1/100 and 1/10th stop faster.

 

[DC1221]

Sounds like I should just grab a Minolta and teach myself EV reading instead of Aperture!

 

[GregY]

Sounds like I should just grab a Minolta and teach myself EV reading instead of Aperture!

Yes..... the meter is not a camera..... Buy the Minolta or Pentax or whatever meter and read the scale.... it is really that easy

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Sounds like I should just grab a Minolta and teach myself EV reading instead of Aperture!

I have never used the EV setting on the Minolta Spot F. However, I do use the setting that shows me the difference in stops between my shadow and high light readings, so that I can determine the scene's subject luminance range. I do this often in my videos... readings are quick and easy.