Batteryless meters?

[eli griggs]

I had George do two Weston V meters years ago and they are running fine, except, in really dim light, when I turn to either the Luna Pro F (American) version, or the Pentax V spotmeter, depending on the scene.

I also have two Weston IV meters I would like George to do one day, but he is likely going to be retired before I can do so.

The general impression of the life of new selenium replacement cells, is something like 20 years or so of life, with humidity being the real killer of these cells.

It is also that some of these meters using that tech, will 'revive' after a few days in direct sunlight, do no quote me, because the sunlight stimulates a process in which certain oxides to reverse damage or be removed from the cells, completely. Cells that respond to light can be generally expected to live on for several more years, and I routinely place my Weston's in a window for a week or so.

Getting someone else to confirm what I just laid out is suggested and remember, Weston was no the only meter maker who could make good selenium meters, so look around and then see if new cells are available.

IMO.

 

[dxqcanada]

Get an extinction meter.

 

[BAC1967]

It is also that some of these meters using that tech, will 'revive' after a few days in direct sunlight, do no quote me, because the sunlight stimulates a process in which certain oxides to reverse damage or be removed from the cells, completely. Cells that respond to light can be generally expected to live on for several more years, and I routinely place my Weston's in a window for a week or so.

Getting someone else to confirm what I just laid out is suggested and remember, Weston was no the only meter maker who could make good selenium meters, so look around and then see if new cells are available.
IMO.

I’ve revived a few meters this way, sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t.

 

[Dali]

Anyone have any comments,discussion, recommendations regard such meters. Would like to have a small backup in the bags/kits.
Thanks
Ken

Unless you want to buy new, it is a miss or hit situation as most of non-battery meters are pretty old now.

I prefer selenium meters as they are ofter small and are in "normal" situation as good as any other meters. I have 2 of them (a Gossen Sixtino bought new 40+ years ago and an even older Sekonic L-6) and I have no complaint. Most of my cameras are without meter so I use these little beasts quite often.

 

[eli griggs]

I want to add that if you go with a Weston Meter, (which, by the way, hove nothing to do with the Weston family photographers, so far as the name) be sure to also get an intercone, inverted dome or or even two, as this piece of white plastic, really puts the Meters well ahead of the other selenium cell meters.

Frankly, I still need a couple of these for the IVs I mentioned, just in case I am able to have George do them as well.

 

[GRHazelton]

I turned up a Norwood Director at a "yard" sale sponsored by Wings Camera in Atlanta a few years ago. It's a classic incident light meter, light dome mounted on a rotating head, and was beloved by movie directors. My old example came with its case - in rough condition - plus the several slides which allow adjusting sensitivity and measuring reflected light. The meter itself is in good condition, although the dome is somewhat yellowed, and closely agrees with my other meters. Not bad for a $10 purchase! It would go well with my Canon P and a classic '57 Chevy Bel Air convertible....

 

[BAC1967]

I turned up a Norwood Director at a "yard" sale sponsored by Wings Camera in Atlanta a few years ago. It's a classic incident light meter, light dome mounted on a rotating head, and was beloved by movie directors. My old example came with its case - in rough condition - plus the several slides which allow adjusting sensitivity and measuring reflected light. The meter itself is in good condition, although the dome is somewhat yellowed, and closely agrees with my other meters. Not bad for a $10 purchase! It would go well with my Canon P and a classic '57 Chevy Bel Air convertible....

I’ve picked up several of those at various sales over the years and have never found a good working one.

 

[Europan]

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/meters/index.html
http://lightmetermuseum.com/Light meters/
http://betezra.tripod.com/lightmeters

 

[BMbikerider]

The last Westons to be made were the Euromaster and Euromaster 2 and they will still be very usable and also have a very much clearer dial.. As they are selenium cells they will not be as sensitive as the battery version but their metering if accurate is more than consistent that a CDS cell which has a short lag between one reading and another if close together. I also believe they had a problem with light that was on the redish side. Silicon cells cured these faults. Also CDS cells used the now unobtanium 1.23v Mercury battery but the 1.5v Silver can be used with experimentation to make the necessary ISO adjustment.

I have a Weston 5 which I have not used for at least 18 months and a Minolta Autometer 3. Comparing them with readings from a plain white wall there is a metering difference of just under 1/2 a stop so there are good one out there.

 

[Ian Grant]

My Euromaster gave up the ghost some years ago, I bought it new in the early 1970's. My V also agve up, neither will respond fully any lnger.

Ian

 

[AndyH]

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/meters/index.html
http://lightmetermuseum.com/Light meters/
http://betezra.tripod.com/lightmeters

I have spent the last several hours on these sites and their links. Outstanding!

Thank you so much for sharing.
Andy

 

[AndyH]

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/meters/index.html
http://lightmetermuseum.com/Light meters/
http://betezra.tripod.com/lightmeters

I have spent the last several hours on these sites and their links. Outstanding!

Thank you so much for sharing.
Andy

 

[AndyH]

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/meters/index.html
http://lightmetermuseum.com/Light meters/
http://betezra.tripod.com/lightmeters

I have spent the last several hours on these sites and their links. Outstanding!

Thank you so much for sharing.
Andy

 

[eli griggs]

My Euromaster gave up the ghost some years ago, I bought it new in the early 1970's. My V also agve up, neither will respond fully any lnger.

Ian

Did you try exposing the opened 'hatch' to direct sunlight for a week or so?

I.have never held a Euromaster, but my reading on the Internet indicated to me, they are a Weston V with a new dial.

The two Master Vs I have are Cross-Alantic Twins, with different coloured cases, including the Intercone pouches, one mad in N.J and the other in the U.K.

 

[tonyowen]

Two Weston Master V meters model S461.5 serial numbers JS200 & H5946

One Hanimex Sekonic meter serial number 15991 [Sekonic L3] meter

Nikon E8800 camera. Default sensitivity 50ASA

Nikon D50 camera with 85mm f1.8 lens fitted. Default sensitivity 200ASA

Both Weston V meters are consistent [but accuracy unknown] when taking a reading.

Comparing the Hanimex Sekonic and either Weston Master V meter requires careful reading of where the Hanimex Sekonic needle is and how the red/blue marker is aligned.

At high light readings [i.e. Weston 13] there is a no discrepancy between the Hanimex Sekonic and either Weston Master V meters.

At lower light readings [i.e. Weston 8] there is a slight discrepancy between the Hanimex Sekonic and either Weston Master V meters.

Weston Master V and Hanimex Sekonic readings DO NOT match that of the Nikon E8800 camera [at 50ASA]. Even when set to the precise 50ASA value, in matrix exposure mode, and in manual mode

Weston Master V and Hanimex Sekonic readings DID NOT match that of the Nikon D50 camera [at 200ASA]. Even when set to the precise 200ASA value, in matrix exposure mode, and in manual mode.

Query: can hand held meters be compared with digital in-camera meters and if so how??

Regards

Tony

 

[AndyH]

Query: can hand held meters be compared with digital in-camera meters and if so how??

Regards

Tony

I do meter checks on all my meters (Weston Masters, Gossen LunaPros, and Norwood/Sekonics) regularly. The process is simple - take reflective readings at various light levels using an 18% grey card and compare readings. In the case of the digital camera, use the native ISO and a single metering spot. To check the incident meters or reflective meters with incident attachments, I just put the meter in the position of the grey card and compare with the reflectance readings.

In my experience, the most important thing is consistency across a broad range of light levels. If your meter is off by a consistent factor in various levels of lighting, you can just adjust the ASA you're shooting or the number reading from the dial. I find setting the ASA up or down by a stop or so to be the easiest. On the whole, I've found that my Nikon DSLR meters are very accurate. I have played with film enough that I already know my personal film speeds for most of the films I use regularly.

Andy

 

[tonyowen]

Thank you, first tests indicate that my Weston Master V's are okay compared with the Nikon built-in meters.
regards

Tony

 

[nokia2010]

I got me a "Gossen" Sixtomat. Selenium celss. I made a compare with the readings from my "Minolta" X-700 meters (T.T.L. meter). The "Gossen" seems to work o.k., except in very bright light, where it's givin one step more reading.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

You're better off with a back-up battery or two.

+1