Help me decide between Pentax Spot Meter V vs Minolta Spot Meter M

sterioma · Mar 4, 2019

Given that

* I already have a reflective (non spot) meter + incident (Sekonic 308s) which I use for portraits and colour negative work
* I would be using this primarily for Zone System with medium format (yes, I know it's not as flexible as LF)
* I can choose between a Pentax Spot Meter V and a Minolta Spot Meter M both in good condition, and price is about the same

What would you recommend? Help me decide!

BMbikerider · Mar 4, 2019

I have had both meters at one time or another and the Minolta meter is in my view the better of the two. If you don't need flash the Minolta spotmeter without the 'F' suffix is the same as the flash meter version, but cheaper. The Minolta meter gives you the option of taking I think up to 4 or 5 readings from different areas and then averaging them out which I found to be a real boon. I currently use another Minolta meter the Autometer 3, which can take 3 reading and average them - equally as good. Minolta shine in many ways, lenses, meters and electronics in their day and were probably leader in their field but not as big as Canon or Nikon to compete so went to the wall.

Chan Tran · Mar 4, 2019

The Pentax if in good condition is generally worth more than the Minolta today I think. With that said, I bought the Minolta spotmeter M in 1982 for more money than the Pentax digital spot meter because I think it's a better meter.

craigclu · Mar 4, 2019

I've had both and went with the Minolta Spot. I had the M version initially and happened onto an F and ended up with the F. I use a different meter for flash duties (an incident Sekonic) and can't quickly recall using or relying on the Minolta for flash so could have happily lived with the M. The Pentax is more easily adapted to zone system duties so that could drive your decision, too.

RalphLambrecht · Mar 4, 2019

sterioma said:
Given that

* I already have a reflective (non spot) meter + incident (Sekonic 308s) which I use for portraits and colour negative work
* I would be using this primarily for Zone System with medium format (yes, I know it's not as flexible as LF)
* I can choose between a Pentax Spot Meter V and a Minolta Spot Meter M both in good condition, and price is about the same

What would you recommend? Help me decide!

I have both meters and use them both.The Pentax is ideal for the Zone System but , I pull out the Minolta when ever I need a more precise measurement for some technical tests. I would have difficulty giving up either one.

Eric Rose · Mar 4, 2019

I've owned both. I kept the Minolta. Imho it's a much better meter.

Andrew O'Neill · Mar 4, 2019

I've been using my Minolta since '92. I got the chance to fart around with the Pentax in Japan for a month (borrowed from a guy who never used it). I MUCH prefer the Minolta. Way easier and quicker to use. I like how one can see the differences in stops between readings.

MartinCrabtree · Mar 4, 2019

OK I'll help you decide. If you do not buy the Pentax I'll send Tony over to break yer legs.

Really I got nothing.

sterioma · Mar 4, 2019

Thanks all, Minolta it is then!

GRHazelton · Mar 5, 2019

Quality Light Metric in Hollywood Ca fixed the tiny lamp in my Pentax Spotmeter V which illuminates the scale in low light and calibrated the meter. Cost was $98 plus about $12 shipping; turnaround was about one week. George at Quality Light Metric is the man!

Philippe-Georges · Dec 13, 2019

The Pentax is shock resistent, better in the field for landscapes...

wiltw · Dec 13, 2019

sterioma said:
Thanks all, Minolta it is then!

If you could get the Zone scale added, which Fred Picker added to their modified Pentax spotmeters, the the Pentax is better for Zone System practitioners; but Minolta is the better meter. I have owned both, I still have my Minolta Spotmeter F.

The Picker-modified Pentax was more than simply the addition of the Zone scale, however. The value of the other modifications used to be debated.

Chan Tran · Dec 13, 2019

I made the decision back in the early 80's and I had 3 choices all were brand new.
1. Pentax Spotmeter V for $118
2. Pentax Digital Spotmeter $183
3. Minolta Spotmeter M $263
and I chose the Minolta Spotmeter M.
I didn't know at the time that the Pentax would hold their values so well.

Dennis-B · Dec 14, 2019

I have several in my collection, among them a Pentax Digital Zone VI, Minolta Spot Meter F, and a couple of Soligor Digital Spots, one converted to Zone VI.

They all work perfectly, and I haven't been able to differentiate much more that 1/3 EV among them all when tested against a static light source. The Minolta has more flexibility, since I can measure EV as well as f/stop-shutter speed. I've used the EV's for so long that it's second nature to convert to f/stops.

I'm in the group which wonders about the value of the other modifications made by Fred Picker. I understand that some of the sensors have UV filtering added, but the filtering effect is lost on me.

I also have a Sekonic L508 Zoom Master. It's always in my film bag, and it's among the most flexible I've used. It also compares well to the dedicated spot meters. I like it for its variable spot feature.

Grim Tuesday · Dec 14, 2019

It's a little bit of a silly reason but I would trust Minolta the most out of all the brands because they have an industrial/scientific heritage with light meters. Pentax is a consumer photographic company. I use a several-thousand-dollar Minolta 1/3 degree spot luminance meter in my day job.

Sirius Glass · Dec 14, 2019

George at Quality Light Metric in Hollywood California cautions that the Fred Picker modified Pentax spot meters may not be adjustable nor repairable. He recommends not getting the Zone 6 modified Pentax Digital Spot Meters.

Dennis-B · Dec 14, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
It's a little bit of a silly reason but I would trust Minolta the most out of all the brands because they have an industrial/scientific heritage with light meters. Pentax is a consumer photographic company. I use a several-thousand-dollar Minolta 1/3 degree spot luminance meter in my day job.

Minolta was also a consumer photographic company before they were sold to Ricoh. Asahi Optical has been around for a long time. I've never had a problem with my digital, nor the old analogue (which was traded in for the digital).

abruzzi · Dec 15, 2019

Dennis-B said:
Minolta was also a consumer photographic company before they were sold to Ricoh.

do you mean Konica? That the company I associate with later Minolta. I wasn’t aware of a Ricoh association. Pentax was sold to Ricoh (very recently) after their medical imaging was gutted by Hoya.

Dennis-B · Dec 15, 2019

abruzzi said:
do you mean Konica? That the company I associate with later Minolta. I wasn’t aware of a Ricoh association. Pentax was sold to Ricoh (very recently) after their medical imaging was gutted by Hoya.

You are correct. Typing at night before bedtime is never a good thing.

Chan Tran · Dec 16, 2019

Grim Tuesday said:
It's a little bit of a silly reason but I would trust Minolta the most out of all the brands because they have an industrial/scientific heritage with light meters. Pentax is a consumer photographic company. I use a several-thousand-dollar Minolta 1/3 degree spot luminance meter in my day job.

I tend to agree as all the Minolta meters I have, 2 Flashmeter III, 2 spotmeter M, one flashmeter VI they are all within 1/10 stop agreement (of course only the VI has both spot and incident). Also since I don't really need an exposure meter so I wish I can afford the Minolta luminance and illuminance meters.

Stephen Prunier · Dec 31, 2019

Being in the market for a new spot meter and reading everyone's input I purchased a Minolta Spotmeter M for a reasonable price.
As I get older aka my eyes suck. I'm hoping that it will be easier to read than what I had been using, the Gossin Luna Pro F. I liked it. It just became too hard to read at times.

Chan Tran · Dec 31, 2019

abruzzi said:
do you mean Konica? That the company I associate with later Minolta. I wasn’t aware of a Ricoh association. Pentax was sold to Ricoh (very recently) after their medical imaging was gutted by Hoya.

It's Konica to form Konica Minolta. They are still in business although not in the photographic business. They still make great light meters (not exposure meter).

Deleted member 88956 · Jan 2, 2020

Have had both for good 15 years. Like both as many others. One significant (in a way) difference is the analog display vs. digital on Minolta. While either will give you what you are after, moving needle on Pentax is just a different way of seeing the reading. Arguably it might be a difference maker in use. I sometimes take out the Pentax even though it is larger and heavier, just to get the kick out of that needle in the finder.

And for sure you are looking at Spotmeter V right? As long as it takes 3 button cells for power, it is. Earlier Spotmeter had same casing, but used double battery set-up - last thing you want.

Deleted member 88956 · Jan 2, 2020

Dennis-B said:
...
I'm in the group which wonders about the value of the other modifications made by Fred Picker. I understand that some of the sensors have UV filtering added, but the filtering effect is lost on me.
...

As much as I liked Fred Picker and what he did for many photographers with his Zone VI (still have those catalogs), I have not seen one test that confirmed those modifications made any meaningful difference. There was at least one claiming the contrary. But Fred could sure sell his stuff.

pentaxuser · Jan 2, 2020

Yes, I am now beginning to wonder if Fred while OK as a photography "expert" was rather better as salesman for the Fred Picker way. I suspect that like most of those who belong to the natural breed called salesman he effortlessly reflected the pysche of his time and place.

As the "Beach Boys" would have said he picked up and reflected back "Good Vibrations"

pentaxuser

Help me decide between Pentax Spot Meter V vs Minolta Spot Meter M

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