finding an affordable pentax digital spot meter

[bonk]

I have been monitoring ebay for quite a while now - no luck
Does anyone have any tips where else I could find an affordable (aka used) pentax digital spot meter (shippable to germany)? I would be willing to spend about 250 Euro.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Why, particularly, Pentax digi? Size? My wife has one, but I'm as happy with the analog, and that leaves me with a spare Gossen Spotmaster 2.

 

[bonk]

Why, particularly, Pentax digi? Size? My wife has one, but I'm as happy with the analog, and that leaves me with a spare Gossen Spotmaster 2.

yes, size is one reaon, but more important is the possibility to read the values when it´s dark as it has leds. I have been shooting a lot at night lately, wildy guessing the exposure and bracketing. So I thought that this meter would come in handy. Another reason is also that I started delving into the zonesystem and Mr. Adams seemed to like that meter in his books

 

[jovo]

You might also consider the Soligor Digital Spot Sensor II. It's every bit as good as the Pentax, and a lot less expensive. I have two of them and have had nothing but the best results with both of them. One of mine is rebranded as an Adorama meter, but it's the same thing. There may be other rebranded examples, but they are the same meter. Here's a link to a KEH.com offering to give you an idea of the look of the thing:

Dead Link Removed

 

[lns]

I second the suggestion to try a different brand. I just got a Minolta digital spotmeter for less than $50. Without extensive testing, it seems as accurate as my Zone VI modified Pentax digital spotmeter and is just as easy to use. Also, for night use I think you'd need a small flashlight with either meter, because my Pentax uses dials for the meter settings, and they aren't illuminated. -Laura

 

[Roger Hicks]

Laura's point about the scales/dials is unanswerable, and besides, the analogue Pentax has a light built in so you can read the scales in the finder, just not on the side... I think the Minolta meter has a light-up digital panel on the side (it's years since I used one, but I was very impressed indeed) but I know for a fact that the Gossen lights up inside and has no external scales. It also uses the little blocky 9v battery, not the weird battery that Pentax calls for.

If you really need something that can be used in very poor light levels, I'd recommend either the Minolta (admirably compact) or the rather bulky Gossen, but I'd add that if light levels are that poor, you'll not be able to take shadow readings anyway, because the meter won't be sensitive enough (the SEI Photometer usually is, but that's another story). Highlight readings for tranny should be no problem, of course.

 

[reggie]

I always found the Gossen meter(s) to be much more sensitive in low light situations than the Pentax Digital spot meter, by a few stops or so. For night photography, I could get accurate 10 second exposure readings(approximate) with the Gossen. Could not do that with the Pentax. I pull the toggle switch down on the Gossen and leave it down for a while until the meter reading stabalized. I used Plus-X, asa 125.

I understane that Pentax is no longer making the digital spot meter. So, I just bought a new one at Calumet, they had them in stock. I wanted an extra one while I could get it. I do have a used one, but something now rattles a little when I shake it. It feels a little like a part has come loose inside. I don't know how to open it up and see if I can fix it easily enough. If I can get that fixed up, I might sell the used one. It is modified by Zone VI, but I removed the zone sticker because I didn't use it or like it.

If anyone knows how to open one up, I'd appreciate the info. I might be able to help out the thread owner, but I don't want this to sound like a for sale ad. I'd be just as happy keeping it.

-R

 

[bonk]

It is modified by Zone VI, but I removed the zone sticker because I didn't use it or like it.

What exactly does this modification include except applying that sticker ?

If anyone knows how to open one up, I'd appreciate the info. I might be able to help out the thread owner, but I don't want this to sound like a for sale ad. I'd be just as happy keeping it.

I found a bit of info in the web:

http://www.largeformatphotography.info/forum/showthread.php?t=14669

Anyway if the meter is in an acceptable condition and that loose part is nothing, I'd be intereted in buying that thing

 

[Ralph T]

I do have a used one, but something now rattles a little when I shake it. It feels a little like a part has come loose inside. I don't know how to open it up and see if I can fix it easily enough. If I can get that fixed up, I might sell the used one.

Check the battery compartment. I dropped my meter on pavement recently and the mounting base for the battery broke off. Your symptoms sound the same... it may be the loose battery rattling around.

Got mine repaired by Richard Ritter.

 

[PhotoHistorian]

What exactly does this modification include except applying that sticker ?

A Zone VI modified Pentax Digital Spot Meter is calibrated to be used with Kodak Tri-X B&W film. Basic zone system film testing is still needed to fine tune your film. The sticker is merely for convenience.

 

[bonk]

What exactly does this modification include except applying that sticker ?

A Zone VI modified Pentax Digital Spot Meter is calibrated to be used with Kodak Tri-X B&W film. Basic zone system film testing is still needed to fine tune your film. The sticker is merely for convenience.

I never used the Tri-X film, and I am not sure if I ever will. So this kind of modification is nothing for me?

I have found some old commerical brochure scans of the zone VI modifiaction. It doesn't mentrion Tri-X anywhere:

It was taken form here wich seems to be a rather disillusioning review about that type of modification.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Yes. Like much of Fred Picker's stuff, it's essentially drivel. Some worship him as a demi-god, but the shortcomings of the 'Zone VI modifications' are pretty much laid bare in what you quote.

 

[mikebarger]

Drivel or not, he was fairly successful at what he did.

Zone VI stuff over on the bay still commands premium prices. Look at the prices of those filters he sold to preview a potential shot, or the little red books with note pages.

Does seem like he is one of those guys you either loved or hated his methods and products. There are not many in the middle of the road concerning Fred.

Mike

 

[bonk]

So what about this special Tri-X modifiaction. IS this true? If so will the meter work just fine with other (including color) films ?

 

[Roger Hicks]

Drivel or not, he was fairly successful at what he did.

Dear Mike,

Indeed. This is because he was a pedlar of magic bullets to the gullible. There are an awful lot of gullible people in photography. Many of them are in seach of a level of certainty that cannot exist, and are predisposed to believe anything written in an authoritative style.

Quite often, too, they will latch onto a genuinely good product, but completely uncritically. A fine example is the Darkroom Cookbook. It is a superb and well-informed compilation of very useful information, but it is not divinely inspired and infallible, as some seem to think.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[bonk]

So you'd prefer an umodified pentax digital spot ?

 

[John Koehrer]

Bonk,
I think you would do well with either variety. The Zone Vl with it's IR filter mod gives it a "technical" advantage. Some folks see it some don't. The question is, is it worth the extra $$$ to you. To me it's not.

 

[PhotoHistorian]

Bonk,
I think you would do well with either variety. The Zone Vl with it's IR filter mod gives it a "technical" advantage. Some folks see it some don't. The question is, is it worth the extra $$$ to you. To me it's not.

Bonk,
John, Roger and others are all right. There is no silver bullet in photography. The modified Pentax Meter is just one of many things that have come and gone in photography trying to market as such. I have owned both Pentax models. I tested them against one another and there was a 3/4 stop difference between them. If you tested against another light meter you would find a similar situation I am sure. The bottom line is as buy something that fits your budget and your needs. A good Pentax of either model is fine as is a Minolta, Gossen, Sekonic and many others. All meters work for color or black & white. I used mine with Kodachrome film for more than 20 years and had no problems. Good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for.

 

[bonk]

There is one question that really remains:

There is one question that really remains: how much is an unmodified pentax digital spot meter like the one shown in the picture below in good condition really worth? At what price would I overpay an better get a new one.

Dead Link Removed

 

[Shawn Dougherty]

For how I work the Pentax Digital Spotmeter has been perfect. I paid about $325 for mine on that auction site and am glad I did. Believe me, I'm broke almost all the time so parting with that kinda green makes me a little light headed but I've never regretted it. Good luck whatever you do. Best. Shawn