In praise of old light meters

[Jim Jones]

Photographer's choice of film speed for each type of film and the content of each photograph should ideally be chosen by the photographer, based on experience and personal preferences. Since I like good shadow detail, for many decades I relied mostly on experience and by studying the film's response to light. Only today did I read Adam's advice to Weston.
Most internet advice on exposure and framing is based on the preference of the photographer posting that information. It is better than no information at all. Even if those photographers give film, aperture, and shutter speed, we still don't know HOW they chose that exposure. Many of today's cameras also provide useful, if not necessarily perfect, exposure information for each situation. Recording details of each significant photograph, and comparing that to the finished image, is a great learning tool tailored to the individual photographer. Making photographs should not be the end, but a tool towards making better photographs.

 

[Jim Jones]

Rolleiflexible said in post # 149, ---I am surprised that the thread has almost no discussion of the the Sekonic (née Norwood) Director line of incident light meters. I have found them reliable and a pleasure to use. I stick with the older models and have found no degradations with age. Once I learned how to use an incident meter, I never went back to reflective meters.

I, too, liked the Norwood Director, but not the similar Sekonics, which seemed much less reliable.

 

[Shaps]

I just picked a Gossen Pilot. The sliding cover is a bit sticky. Any suggestions on what to use the free it up?

 

[Shaps]

My meter

 

[choiliefan]

We used Gossen Pilots in HS photo in the early 70's.
We called them "eggs" because of their hard clamshell cases.
Fond memories.

 

[Sanug]

I like my small, lightweight and reliable Sixtino. In Europe the same meter may have been named Sixtino, in the U.S. Pilot. It is a great companion for my Rolleicord or the Adox Golf folder.

 

[Shaps]

We used Gossen Pilots in HS photo in the early 70's.
We called them "eggs" because of their hard clamshell cases.
Fond memories.

Unfortunately mine came without the case. Trying to find one.

 

[mshchem]

I love my Minolta IV F. So much I have 4 of them (I had 5 but one disagreed with the others)

 

[Big G]

I have used the Capital TK79 meter for a number of years -- so simple that it looks like a toy. I also give a shout out to the venerable Sekonic L228 zoom meter. Endorsed by no less than Fred Picker, it has worked very well with PR44 hearing aid batteries (1.4V). Although a little slow to settle on its final reading, it's a compact wonder that just feels 'right' in the hand.

 

[RalphLambrecht]

amazing. Gossen always made first-class lightmeters but this is exceptional even for them.