Gossen Variable Angle Spot attachment question...

Disconnekt · Apr 13, 2023

Recently got a Gossen Lunapro SBC lightmeter to use with my Kodak folding cameras, mainly to have something light with me to use instead of lugging my Pentax camera along with me to use as a lightmeter (and to save some room in my camera bag).

Currently looking at the "Variable Angle Attachment" (their "budget" spotmeter attachment with the angles being 7.5° & 15°) that's specifically for the SBC lightmeter, and was woundering if anybody has used it/has experiance with it? Thinking about getting one, mainly to use with some expired 120/220 slide film I have in my freezer.

To add to some confusion (for me at least), there seems to be two different versions of the attachment, a "Tele" and the other labeled "Variable Angle Attachment", with both externally looking the same/both colored in grey & black. Dont know if both are the same & just named differently (aka US name & "everywhere else" name) or if theyre completely different. Any info would be appreciated

BrianShaw · Apr 13, 2023

The variable spot attachment, 7.5 and 15 degrees, is an optical attachment for the Gossen LunaPro and LunaPro SBC. (European names may differ.) It came in grey and black but both the same. The two names you cite for the same item were just different marketing terms.

I use one both meters and it does what it purports to do. Care must be exercised when transferring light value to the meter dial to ensure that the correct offset is employed with the LunaPro. Null as regular with the LunaPro SBC. The viewfinder is not very clear but sufficient for metering. It’s a very affordable solution for metering a narrower coverage than the basic meter.

I believe there is another, newer and much more expensive attachment for the LunaPro SBC that goes down to 1 degree.

BrianShaw · Apr 13, 2023

But let me ask a question… do you really consider the SBC to be “light”… it’s a really capable light meter but is like carrying a brick!!

Kodachromeguy · Apr 13, 2023

The variable angle 7.5° and 15° attachment also worked with the older CDS Luna Pro. I tried to use one with my Luna Pro SBC but found it a bit clumsy. Gossen also sold a Profi-spot optical device with 1, 5, and 10 degree options, but it was only for the Luna Pro SBC. Using one of these gave you a Godzilla-sized light meter.

Disconnekt · Apr 13, 2023

BrianShaw said:
But let me ask a question… do you really consider the SBC to be “light”… it’s a really capable light meter but is like carrying a brick!!

It is a chonky piece of gear, but sure is lighter than carrying around my Sears TLS or Pentax MZ-S (with battery grip & lens attached)

Disconnekt · Apr 13, 2023

Kodachromeguy said:
The variable angle 7.5° and 15° attachment also worked with the older CDS Luna Pro. I tried to use one with my Lina Pro SBC but found it a bit clumsy. Gossen also sold a Profi-spot optical device with 1, 5, and 10 degree options, but it was only for the Luna Pro SBC. Using one of these gave you a Godzilla-sized light meter.

Yeah I've seen other spot meter attachment & that is one beefy attachment, which is why I was looking at the variable angle one, much smaller and cheaper (at least the ones I've seen on ebay & KEH).

Sirius Glass · Apr 13, 2023

I used it with the 10 degree / 5 degree spot adapter. It was not good enough to be used as a spot meter but I found it not useful for Zone System adjustments, where a 1 degree spot would have been better. I ended up selling the meter and spot adapter and buying Pentax Digital Spot Meter.

Hassasin · Apr 13, 2023

There are much smaller options than SBC, even though SBC has one huge advantage over most - low light capability.

eli griggs · Apr 13, 2023

It sounds like more confusion about Gossen's messed up marketing of different meters with the same name one for Europa, the other for N. America.

When I think of the Luna Pro SBC, I see the small, grey meter on my bench, that, IIRC, is about the same size of a pack of cigarettes.

The large, broke sized meter some are talking about might just be what in the U.S. was marketed as the Luna Pro F.

The smaller Lunar Pro attachments, including the duel range 'spotmeter' attachment fits both.

That said, 7.5° and 15° are way too large to be useful Spotmeters, in many opinions like mine.

if you want a spotmeter, get a 1° meter, period.

By the way, both meters are great tools and there is also an attachment that allows them to be used as darkroom enlarging meters, too.

tokam · Apr 13, 2023

Here you go again. The device attached to the Lunasix F on the left is the 7.5 / 15 degree tele adapter whilst the Profi-Spot attached to the Profisix, (Luna Pro SBC) measures 1 / 5/ 10 degrees.

The Profi-Spot requires Gossen meters with the electrical contacts - Luna Pro SBC or Mastersix. These meters are up to 45 years old but if you get a working example they are very accurate. Just a bit of a handful.

Disconnekt · Apr 14, 2023

For me, I dont really use the "Zone system"', and for the "variable spot" I'd be more likely to use the 7.5° spot to get me more "in the ballpark"/"close enough" when using it for the slide film I have.

Plus, the vari-spot is cheaper too, Ive seen some ~$20-50, not sure how much the Pro-fi spot is

btaylor · Apr 14, 2023

I have one of those semi spot attachments as well. Clumsy, fiddly, and as mentioned above you have to remember the correct offset to use on the meter dial. I like the size of the Luma Pro, it fits well in my hand. It also does incident readings by sliding the diffuser dome over the sensor.
I get very accurate readings, usually in reflected mode- using any light meter requires some thought and practice to get it right IMO. I rarely pull out my 1 degree spot meter.

MattKing · Apr 14, 2023

eli griggs said:
It sounds like more confusion about Gossen's messed up marketing of different meters with the same name one for Europa, the other for N. America.

It wasn't Gossen who were responsible for this, it was Berkey (IIRC), the US exclusive distributor who insisted on changing the names from the model names used in the rest of the entire world (including Canada).
Gossen assigned new names to the newer versions of the meters. Then Berkey insisted that the ones destined for sale in the US instead use names that were frustratingly similar to the names used for the older models.

Disconnekt · Apr 14, 2023

Hassasin said:
There are much smaller options than SBC, even though SBC has one huge advantage over most - low light capability.

The low light capability is one of the reasons I got it, plus the fact that I waas able to get off evilbay for $49 (~$65 with taxes/shipping).
A bunch of the smaller ones I saw where around ~$100 and up, the cheaper ones I saw where Selenium Cell types (which I felt iffy on getting/trying) or incident lightmeters (which I would've had to get the attachment for reflective metering).

BrianShaw · Apr 14, 2023

Just in case you haven't seen this...

https://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/Gossen_luna_pro_variable_attachment.pdf

BrianShaw · Apr 14, 2023

MattKing said:
It wasn't Gossen who were responsible for this, it was Berkey (IIRC), the US exclusive distributor who insisted on changing the names from the model names used in the rest of the entire world (including Canada).
Gossen assigned new names to the newer versions of the meters. Then Berkey insisted that the ones destined for sale in the US instead use names that were frustratingly similar to the names used for the older models.

This site seems to have a robust "Rosetta stone" for Gossen meter names

Gossen - Camera-wiki.org - The free camera encyclopedia

camera-wiki.org

Kodachromeguy · Apr 14, 2023

eli griggs said:
When I think of the Luna Pro SBC, I see the small, grey meter on my bench, that, IIRC, is about the same size of a pack of cigarettes.

The large, broke sized meter some are talking about might just be what in the U.S. was marketed as the Luna Pro F.

In the USA market, the Luna Pro SBC, F, and Lux all had the same large chunky plastic case, all with a 9 volt battery.

I recommend the much newer Luna Pro Digital. Thin, digital display, AA battery.

Disconnekt · Apr 18, 2023

Would this one be the right version of the attachment for the SBC? For the price it's not that bad, especially since I'd be getting it mainly as a way to "dip my toes in" using a spotmeter without having to spend alot more on the Multispot version or on a dedicated one.

GOSSEN TELE, light meter attachment. (ref G 331) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GOSSEN TELE, light meter attachment. (ref G 331) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

BrianShaw · Apr 19, 2023

Disconnekt said:
Would this one be the right version of the attachment for the SBC? For the price it's not that bad, especially since I'd be getting it mainly as a way to "dip my toes in" using a spotmeter without having to spend alot more on the Multispot version or on a dedicated one.

GOSSEN TELE, light meter attachment. (ref G 331) | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for GOSSEN TELE, light meter attachment. (ref G 331) at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Yep.

Disconnekt · Apr 19, 2023

Cool! Send the seller an offer.

eli griggs · Apr 19, 2023

This is no the variable spotmeter attachment.

Disconnekt · Apr 20, 2023

Made an offer for it, seller accepted. Got it for $33 (with shipping & taxes), should be here by monday or so.

eli griggs · Apr 20, 2023

eli griggs said:
This is no the variable spotmeter attachment.

My bad mistake, I saw the white lable of what looks like an upside down spotmeter and did no recognize it for what it is.

Have fun with your new meter.

BrianShaw · Apr 20, 2023

Disconnekt said:
Made an offer for it, seller accepted. Got it for $33 (with shipping & taxes), should be here by monday or so.

That's a good price! Too many of these are too expensive on ebay. Congratulations and enjoy!

Sirius Glass · Apr 20, 2023

Disconnekt said:
Made an offer for it, seller accepted. Got it for $33 (with shipping & taxes), should be here by monday or so.

At that price, maybe you should buy two!

Gossen Variable Angle Spot attachment question...

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency