Leningrad 4 lightmeter questions

[NDP_2010]

I got a Leningrad 4 lightmeter and it works well. I have read the instructions but I cannot figure out how to use it in low light. For example setting it to ASA 400, and in low light it gives a very low reading close to 0, there is no way i can figure out how to find the shutter speed at a wide aperture (eg f/1.4)
If anyone has this light meter could they explain this, or is this light meter not sophisticated enough to give these numbers in low light?

Thanks.

 

[mablo]

Hmm.. mine does it. What sort of battery you use? You might of course try metering with ASA 1600 and then subtract 2 stops.

 

[NDP_2010]

the dial only goes up to iso800. However, at really low light it shows so close to 0 it is not accurate to guess a time.
Thats OK, i did not expect the most sophisticated device for $7. I guess I could use my newer film cameras internal meter when the light gets low, and set the shutter speed of that.

 

[mablo]

My bad, I had a wrong light meter in my hands, a Sverdlovsk-4 (can't read those cyrillic alphabets). The Sverdlovsk-4 is a good one even in the dark. I do have a Leningrad-4 too. As you said it's no good in low light. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[altair]

I have a Leningrad 4 and used it well before it got dropped and the needle's movement became too erratic to use.

Anyway, I found the meter does not work very well in low light. It could be the cells have become insensitive to light, as they have a finite lifespan.

Anyway, use a better one e.g the Gossen Lunapro.

 

[Alan Johnson]

I have a Leningrad 4,it gives the same reading as my Canon SLR in tungsten room light,1/20s f2.8 at ISO 400.On the RHS of the meter is a knob,pull this down to reveal the scale that runs from 1 to 8.Tungsten room light just about gives a reading slightly above zero,it is on the limit the meter can detect.

 

[benjiboy]

Hmm.. mine does it. What sort of battery you use? You might of course try metering with ASA 1600 and then subtract 2 stops.

The Leningrad is a Selenium cell meter and does not take a battery.