Basic run down on Luna Pro models

[2F/2F]

I have been tasked with finding a Gossen Luna Pro or Luna Six by an instructor I assist. He is not good with E-Bay, as he has a busy schedule and is always outbid at the last minute.

He is aware that there is a battery issue on some if not all models. As usual, 625 batteries causing problems for us......

I have used them before, but I am not familiar with the specifics of these meters. Before I start scouring the 'net for one to purchase, what is the basic difference between models, and what is required to power them properly? I am finding reference to the F, S, SBC....

Is there a model I can look for that does not need a $40 adapter?

Thanks in advance.

 

[jd callow]

The F and SBC use common 6volt bateries.

 

[benjiboy]

There are all the Gossen meter instruction books on this site http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters.htm
the SBC denotes that it uses a Silicon Blue Cell,(not a Cds Cadmium Sulphide one) that is more sensitive, and has a better spectral response.
I would recommend you look for a Lunapro SBC it uses a PP3 9volt battery you can get anywhere, I've used one for more than twenty years,and it's a first class meter. I have owned a Gossen Lunalite, and Lunasix in the past, but because of it's null method reading dial I find this one the best to use.

 

[Ole]

Gossen have the relevant manuals available for download, so why go throug Butkus?

 

[bdial]

I'll second Ben's recommendation of the SBC, no battery worries, very versatile. Some people don't like the way the scale works, (you center the needle, then the dial shows the exposure). But I find it very fast to use, and comparative readings very easy.

FWIW, a Luna Pro F showed up this morning in the local Craigslist for $50.00; http://nh.craigslist.org/pho/883790754.html

 

[removed account4]

The F and SBC use common 6volt bateries.

i think you mean 9 volt battery ...

 

[benjiboy]

I'll second Ben's recommendation of the SBC, no battery worries, very versatile. Some people don't like the way the scale works, (you center the needle, then the dial shows the exposure). But I find it very fast to use, and comparative readings very easy.

The beauty of the null reading dial I find in actual use is it is calibrated in actual stops, and is very easy to see at a glance what the subjects contrast range is by watching the swing of the needle, also to adjust exposure by giving a stop more or less etc.
I bought mine new about twenty years ago and they were very expensive, you can buy them for silly prices nowadays that bear no relation to their value as a lightmeter.

 

[papagene]

I use the Luna Pro F and like it quite a lot for the reasons stated above about the null reading. It is a very accurate meter, easy to use. The only two features (or lack of) that I don't like is that it doesn't take the 1 degree adapter and it doesn't have a connector for the flash feature.

gene

 

[mikebarger]

I bought an SBC at a garage sale years ago, great meter. Although it has been moved to back up for the Pentax V.

Mike

 

[MattKing]

The SBC is also known as the Profisix in Canada and many other parts of the world.

The instruction manuals for many of the Gossen meters can be found on the Gossen site:

http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/foto_sammler.html

I've had my Profisix for almost 30 years, and it is a great meter.

I now have a Gossen Digiflash as well, for those times when I need something tiny.

Matt

 

[Joe VanCleave]

I've found my Luna Pro F to be a very good tool. The only area I think it lacks is when used as an incident meter in street photography, or similar situations where you want to be rather inconspicuous; in which case you have to hold it in front of you and point it back at yourself (the incident dome is on the front end of the housing, rather than the top surface where the controls and readout are at); whereas with meters like the Sekonic, with the white dome on the upper surface of the meter, all you have to do is hold up the meter in front of you and take a reading; just a bit less conspicuous. Check out the documentary "War Photographer" to see what I mean.

~Joe

 

[AgX]

Some people don't like the way the scale works, (you center the needle, then the dial shows the exposure). But I find it very fast to use, and comparative readings very easy.

The idea is that one does not need to center the needle, but rather place it from the beginning, by turning the dial, on an exposure level as far off center, as one thinks the object's luminance should be placed (eg. +1 for some skin tone).

 

[AgX]

Joe,

I don't get your idea. You can hold the meter as you like, or rather need, freeze the metering and then turn the meter the way that you can see the needle, place it as you like and do the readings from the scale of the dial.


Edit:
For the Profisix there was an swivelling-opaque-sphere adaptor called Profi-lux, enabling you to look at the dial and the same time doing an incident metering to another direction

 

[Larry.Manuel]

For LunaSix, etc., using currently available batteries is possible with the adapters sold here: [I have no connection with vendor]

http://www.paulbg.com/Nikon_F_meter_batteries.htm

 

[jd callow]

i think you mean 9 volt battery ...

Yep. FWIW I find the F to be a great general purpose meter (although a good spot meter will beat it where spot readings are called for) and the SBC to be the world's greatest low light meter.

 

[benjiboy]

Same here

The SBC is also known as the Profisix in Canada and many other parts of the world.

The instruction manuals for many of the Gossen meters can be found on the Gossen site:

http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/foto_sammler.html

I've had my Profisix for almost 30 years, and it is a great meter.

I now have a Gossen Digiflash as well, for those times when I need something tiny.

Matt

They call them Profisix here in the UK too Matt. and probably in most of Europe, I referred to them as Lunapro SBC for the benefit of "Our American Cousins".

 

[AgX]

I guess it would be a good idea if someone could post a list of the US designations next to the original ones.

 

[Q.G.]

For some reason i know not, many things from many brands go under different names in the U.S. only. The Profisix is called that everywhere in the world except the U.S.

I have used several Profisix and Lunasix F meters. Great things, but all of mine have suffered the same fate: the needle would start swinging erratically, going to the right end of the scale, hitting the stop rather violently.
I never found the cause, though it appeared to have something to do with a bad contact. I could get the meter to perform that trick by squeezing the meter, or stop it doing so by doing the same.

The potentiometer connected to the scales is fixed to the top half of the body shell. The rest of the electronics is in the bottom half. The connection between the two is made by a few loose ends sticking down from the top half, hoping to hit some tabs in the bottom half. Suspecting that that might be part of the problem, i soldered wires between the contacts (long enough to still be able to open the thing, of course).
It helped! But sadly, only for a while.

I liked these meters enough to have used a bunch of them though.
I stopped (still have a Lunasix F and a Profisix in a box, 'in reserve') when i switched to the Mastersix. Also a great meter, but mine is showing its age now too.
But i often use a metered prism anyway, and i carry a tiny Digisix too, for when a metered prism woud not be the best thing to use.

 

[ecodelosandes]

Q.G. , I have the same behavior from my SBC time ago, in my case, the solution was simpler: the bad contact were in the battery conecting pad, tighten the open bornes delicately with a plier is enough to refit that thing. It causes no more problem anymore! Hope it help. Regards.

Miguel

 

[Q.G.]

Thanks, Miguel.
I will try that (still have my 'last' LunaSix F and Profisix boxed, ready for when i might need them).

 

[Venchka]

I purchased a Luna-Pro SBC with case and postage for $53.00 USD in November. From the looks of it, I'm not sure it was ever used. That is a significantly better option then my older Luna-Pro and it's PX625 battery requirement. Now I can save my stash of PX625s for my M5 bodies. The swinging needle of the Luna-Pro SBC is much easier for this old geezer to use than the LEDs of the later models. Watching the needle swing from under to overexposure is what I'm used to. Works for me.

I guess this is the U.S. model. I remember wanting one when they were new, but could never afford one.

Dead Link Removed

 

[B&Jdude]

Although I have a Luna-Pro SBC and love it, I still have my old Luna-Pro & Lunasix maters. I sent the older meters out to Quality Metric in California and had them gone over and calibrated. They came back working like new, calibrated to use 625 alkalines, and are right on the money with both my modern needle model and the +/- LED model Gossens.

Smiff

 

[pelerin]

Yep. FWIW I find the F to be a great general purpose meter (although a good spot meter will beat it where spot readings are called for) and the SBC to be the world's greatest low light meter.

Um, yeah! It is, as they say, a trip how far out the the thing is calibrated.

 

[Chazzy]

I purchased a Luna-Pro SBC with case and postage for $53.00 USD in November. From the looks of it, I'm not sure it was ever used. ]

Does it do flash?

 

[Ian Grant]

Does it do flash?

With an attachment.

Ian