Light Meter Repair

[Hubigpielover]

I have a Gossen Luna Pro SBC that isn't working anymore. Does anyone repair them? I really would like not to buy another meter and finish my darkroom instead.

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

The problem is that most of those old Gossens need new metering cells. I talked ot George Milton of Quality Light Metric about that before he closed, as I had sent him a Gossen Ultra Pro that he could not fix because it needed a new cell and there are no parts. I have a Gossen Ultra Spot with the same problem. Both meters work, but are no longer accurate and cannot be calibrated to full linear accuracy because of the failing meter cells.

Just buy a new meter. No one really offers meter repairs now that George has retired; except the manufacturers, and Gossen won't repair the Luna Pro SBC anymore.

 

[Hubigpielover]

The problem is that most of those old Gossens need new metering cells. I talked ot George Milton of Quality Light Metric about that before he closed, as I had sent him a Gossen Ultra Pro that he could not fix because it needed a new cell and there are no parts. I have a Gossen Ultra Spot with the same problem. Both meters work, but are no longer accurate and cannot be calibrated to full linear accuracy because of the failing meter cells.

Just buy a new meter. No one really offers meter repairs now that George has retired; except the manufacturers, and Gossen won't repair the Luna Pro SBC anymore.

I figured that. Might just go ahead and get a new Sekonic L-398.

​

 

[beemermark]

Never heard of SBC cells failing. Not saying it doesn’t happen but it’s got to be rare. Still using two Luna meters. Have newer meters but can’t warmup to an LCD reading. If you don’t need the capability for flash metering just buy another Gossen.

 

[xkaes]

I have a Gossen Luna Pro SBC that isn't working anymore. Does anyone repair them? I really would like not to buy another meter and finish my darkroom instead.

It depends on what the problem is. First, you might be able to "fix" it yourself -- if it's not actually broken. After some diagnosis -- you never actually said what "doesn't work" means -- a repair shop might be willing to diagnose the problem, and it might be an easy fix. How much will that cost? I have no idea. If you like your meter you can see what they sell for on EBAY. That might help you decide -- but I'd start by telling us what the problem is -- and having the moderator move this to the REPAIR FORUM.

 

[MattKing]

My bet is that the problem with the SBC relates to the battery connector - which a technician should be able to repair.
Those little wires and the clip on connector for the 9 volt battery are vulnerable to wear.

 

[BrianShaw]

My bet is that the problem with the SBC relates to the battery connector - which a technician should be able to repair.
Those little wires and the clip on connector for the 9 volt battery are vulnerable to wear.

That seems a real challenge because the battery compartment is so "efficient". The battery connector on mine was repaired before my aquisition with too long of a tail and some sort of wire connectors so it's a real PIA to replace batteries. Too short and it might become a PIA to change batteries. I'd love to know how long the factory spec'd that...

I'd post a picture of the "wrong way to fix that problem" but then I'd have to fiddle a lot to get the battery back in so the door attaches properly, and I'm not in a patient mood at the moment. I know I'd end up curing and blowing my stack.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

Never heard of SBC cells failing ... can’t warmup to an LCD reading.

The older Gossen meters used CdS cells - which can fail if the seal allows moisture in. It's the same failure cause as affects Se cells.

Ditto on the LCD, however they do away with the poor reliability of meter needles.

An 'exposure calculator' dial is the only way to go - the LCD should just show a number for setting the dial, same as on any 'analog' meter.

 

[xkaes]

I never "got" the LED/LCD panel models. The old style meters show you the complete range of all the speeds & f-stops all together -- not just one.

 

[Sirius Glass]

My bet is that the problem with the SBC relates to the battery connector - which a technician should be able to repair.
Those little wires and the clip on connector for the 9 volt battery are vulnerable to wear.

I too had a problem with my Gossen Luna SBC eating batteries. The problem had to do with the battery connector and the red activation button.

 

[ic-racer]

Even though I have never heard of a digital camera without a built in light meter, new hand-held light meters are still being manufactured and sold. As others have recommended, I'd take advantage of the situation and get a new meter.

 

[beemermark]

An analog meter shows the appropriate setting but you can see at a glance +/1 stops and corresponding F stops and speeds. Digital meter show just the appropriate setting. Call me old school. As far as CDS cells failing if they get wet, any meter that gets that wet is probably going to fail. There are literally thousands of cameras and hand meters that use Cds & Sbc cells that work just fine.

 

[GRHazelton]

Sorry to hear of George Milton's retirement of Quality Light Metric. He adjusted and calibrated my Pentax analogue spot meter for a reasonable price some years ago.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

As far as CDS cells failing if they get wet, any meter that gets that wet is probably going to fail.

"Moisture" in the scope of failing solid state electronic components doesn't mean water but humidity getting at the silicon or other crystaline structures.

 

[btaylor]

Sorry to hear of George Milton's retirement of Quality Light Metric. He adjusted and calibrated my Pentax analogue spot meter for a reasonable price some years ago.

*sigh*
George was my “go-to” guy for any light meter service. He even had new old stock selenium cells for my ancient Weston ll meters. I think I am out of luck in getting any of my old meters working again should they fail or fall out of calibration.
I agree, the dial on the analog meters make it a quick calculation to decide on the shutter speed/aperture combo I want to use. The dial on my digital Sekonic is nice, but you don’t see the range of choices at a glance.
And fortunately one can still buy new ones.

 

[MattKing]

I'd love to know how long the factory spec'd that...

I'll try to retrieve my Profisix F to see how long the leads are.

 

[BrianShaw]

I'll try to retrieve my Profisix F to see how long the leads are.

Thanks, Matt. I'd apreciate that knowledge. I think part of my problem are the wire connectors. As fate would have it, I took a picture to show you and then ended up fussing with it and couldn't get the battery back in... and then had the insight to remove the foam pad that is in the bottom of the battery compartment. Much easier, yet it might be even easier with the correct length leads.

 

[xkaes]

I'd take advantage of the situation and get a new meter.

Are you donating to the cause or simply trying to spent someone else's money?

 

[ic-racer]

Are you donating to the cause or simply trying to spent someone else's money?

Just a helpful hint to someone with a busted meter!

Realistically, the equipment to repair and test a meter will cost more than a new meter.

 

[EarlJam]

Thanks, Matt. I'd apreciate that knowledge. I think part of my problem are the wire connectors. As fate would have it, I took a picture to show you and then ended up fussing with it and couldn't get the battery back in... and then had the insight to remove the foam pad that is in the bottom of the battery compartment. Much easier, yet it might be even easier with the correct length leads.

View attachment 374238

Brian - those wire connectors seem to be a repair choice of convenience. A bit of heat shrink tubing and a spot of solder to connect the leads would have taken some time and care, but ultimately a better solution. Here's my SBC for reference. I don't use it very often now but it still does everything I require when I do.

 

[BrianShaw]

Thanks! I can solder and can get shrink tubing.

 

[xkaes]

Just like with camera meters, hand-held meter problems are often a matter of "electrical contact". I had a very nice Vivitar hand held meter that I could NOT get to work. I sold it on EBAY for a song -- AS IS DOA. The buyer said, "It works GREAT". I just got a Minolta X-370 with DEAD meter -- for next to nothing. Cleaned the contacts, and it works like NEW. I could go on all day.

Wasn't it James Carville who told Bill Clinton -- "It's the contact, stupid!!!" -- or something like that.

 

[eli griggs]

Adhesive copper tape with one sticky side that'll also conduct electricity, is also suggested by some experienced photographers/repair people, as a bridge from one soldered wire point, to the receiving wire solder point.

Some meters, like the Weston Master Series have notoriety for easy corrosion of the power lines to the cell and copper tape tightly rolled over these wires to the contact points seems to work, oft times.

Good copper tape is cheap and easy to use and Amazon is as good a starting place as any other.

Moisture is the enemy of selenium cells, like those in the Master IV or 5 aka Euromaster and besides removing that moisture, lay out your meter, exposing the cell to direct sunlight will also benefit the cell/meter.

Good Luck and Cheers,
Eli

 

[Hubigpielover]

For some reason, I wasn't getting notifications on people responding.

I appreciate the response and those saying it was the battery terminals were correct. Appreciate everyone responding.

 

[Chan Tran]

I never "got" the LED/LCD panel models. The old style meters show you the complete range of all the speeds & f-stops all together -- not just one.

While it's a spotmeter and not a general inciden/40 degree reflected meter the Pentax digital spotmeter has the digital display for the LV then after you set that value on the dial you have the same range of aperture/shutter speed like an analog one. So a digital meter can be built that way just that nobody built it.