Gossen Ultra Pro: does it turn off?

[Captain_joe6]

I just got a Gossen Ultra-Pro light meter, and while everything appears to be functioning perfectly, there is one thing I can't figure out: does it ever turn off?

I ask because my Luna-Pro SBC would switch itself off after a little while, and the Ultra-Pro seems to stay on continuously. I have no idea if this is normal or not. The manual for the Ultra-Pro doesn't say either way, only saying that when you put a battery in, it turns on.

Any advice?

Best,
Patrick

 

[benjiboy]

Hi Patrick,
If all else fails, read the instructions
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/gossen_ultra_pro/gossen_ultra_pro.htm
look at section 2b " The meter has an an automatic shut off to preserve battery life".

Best wishes
Ben.

 

[Captain_joe6]

Ben,

Thanks for that. It gets weirder, though. After about two minutes, the meter changes from displaying the meter reading, to displaying "13 16", with the "13" in the aperture position, and "16" where the time used to be. It stays like this indefinitely.

Any thoughts, anyone?

EDIT: I've since discovered that the "13" and "16" are my DIN and ASA settings, but the meter still doesn't switch completely off. Sound right? Wrong? Will the display ever go completely off?

 

[Q.G.]

That's right. It will never go off.

The meter is 'off', but the display is still powered.
The drain on the batteries is extremely low. So low that you can't increase the battery's life for anything even worth mention by taking it out.

Great meter (though a bit big). Have been using one for must be about 30 years by now.

 

[eclarke]

I am a Gossen fan and have 5 Ultra Spots and a Starlite. Always have an extra battery....

 

[Q.G.]

I am a Gossen fan and have 5 Ultra Spots and a Starlite. Always have an extra battery....

Have to ask: why 5 Ultra Spots?

 

[Captain_joe6]

Perfect! I was so used to the Luna-Pro SBC "turning off", in that the needle goes slack until you press the meter button again. The manual is wonderfully precise about everything, except what the meter looks like when it is off. Even with the European Mastersix instructions for it, which are even more thorough, I could learn the how, what, and why for every function of the meter, except whether the display turns off ever. Goofy Germans, I suppose.

An yes, eclarke, why 5 Ultra Spots?

Thanks All!

 

[eclarke]

Have to ask: why 5 Ultra Spots?

I gave dead retail for my first one and it is a big but great Zone meter. All of a sudden they were coming up on eBay for around $100 and I think there is a possibility Gossen could stop making them. I have one on a police type gear belt with my filters for grab and go with any bag, have a meter in my 5x7 bag, my 8x10 bag, my RZ67 bag and one spare in the car (almost as good as a spare battery!!) I just couldn't pass on them for the perfect condition they were in vs the really cheap price, a nice luxury...Evan Clarke

P.S. I've been stuck in the boonies with a dead meter and no spare, it can wreck a trip..

 

[Q.G.]

I see! Yes. For US$ 100 a piece, i would have more than one too.
Great meter. But its appetite for batteries is unbelievable!

The Ultra Pro, a.k.a. Mastersix, is much, much better in this regard. While the Spotmaster can go through a couple of batteries a day, the Mastersix can do with one for so long that you forgot where you did put the spare when finally it is needed.