pentax spotmeter v - huh?

[chij]

just picked up a Pentax Spotmeter V that i bought from KEH in EX condition

opened the bottom and the terminal is corroded - see picture plz
how should i clean it
i read to use white vengar and a qtip, and then rubbing alcohol and a qtip

should i return it instead - it was rated at EX condition - returning would be a hassle because i live in canada and would have to drive down to the states twice to the post office - once to fill out a form that would let me use that post office to receive a letter from keh if they agree to mail me a shipping sticker to pay for the return shipping, and then once more to pick up that sticker and slap it on my return box - maybe they would mail me a shipping sticker to my canadian address, maybe

also it looks different than the pictures in the manual i downloaded - see pictures plz
the EV dial only goes from 3-18
there's this extra thing on the bottom that lets me open up the handle - that's how i accessed the corroded terminal
there's no scale illuminating button
the light level meter has the high/low thing - that's from older models i think - is this even a V?

 

[Steve Smith]

returning would be a hassle because i live in canada and would have to drive down to the states twice to the post office - once to fill out a form that would let me receive a letter from keh with a shipping sticker inside, and then once more to pick up that sticker and slap it on my return box

Why can't you just post it? Does it work despite the corrosion or with enough cleaned to make contact? If so I think I would just clean it up and keep it.


Steve.

 

[Diapositivo]

Corrosion marks are usually not hard to clean. I revived this way a Metz CT-1 which I received from one of those dubious auctions on eBay, described as an heritage, as-is. After cleaning (just using a "brillo" pad with some alcohol IIRC) the flash was as new. It also happened on some other couple of occasions with something at home.

I have often read that corrosion on the contacts can damage the electronic components inside, but never experienced that.

I would write to the seller showing the pictures with the corrosion, and suggest I would try to clean the contacts by myself, but if that is not cure to the problem, I would send it back. Sending the photographs first is important so that they realise that the description was not correct.

 

[Ken Nadvornick]

I own a Pentax V. The Pentax 1/21 and the Pentax V are different meters. KEH appears to have picked and sent you the incorrect meter from its warehouse.

Here is the full user manual for the 1/21.

(It's a 7.85 MB document.)

Ken

 

[chriscrawfordphoto]

Definately return it. The meter they sent you is an older model that requires mercury batteries. The Spotmeter V uses modern silver-oxides.

 

[CGW]

Why can't you just post it? Does it work despite the corrosion or with enough cleaned to make contact? If so I think I would just clean it up and keep it.


Steve.

We've had rotating postal strikes here since last week that could go national and shut all mail down. That's why he's pissed about driving to and fro to the States.

 

[chij]

looking at the invoice, it looks like i actually bought a 1/21
not sure how that happened since i was looking for a pentax v

do you think they will accept a return because of the corrosion. i just picked it up today from the post office, but 14 days have passed since the invoice date - bought may 20, delivered may 31, picked up june 7

 

[Roger Cole]

looking at the invoice, it looks like i actually bought a 1/21
not sure how that happened since i was looking for a pentax v

do you think they will accept a return because of the corrosion. i just picked it up today from the post office, but 14 days have passed since the invoice date - bought may 20, delivered may 31, picked up june 7

They will accept it. KEH will accept a return for ANY reason, like the fact I just accidentally bought the wrong size filter - no questions asked, but I did pay postage both ways. They should pay postage due to the corrosion but the only way you can be sure is to ask.

 

[Steve Smith]

I have often read that corrosion on the contacts can damage the electronic components inside, but never experienced that.

Corrosion on battery contacts cannot harm components inside but it could be a sign of further corrosion inside which might have caused damage.

We've had rotating postal strikes here since last week that could go national and shut all mail down. That's why he's pissed about driving to and fro to the States.

Then I would call (and e-mail) to get the return agreed and wait until the strike is over. Does the strike just affect the postal service or are other couriers involved as well?


Steve.

 

[chij]

is their phone number toll free? 770?

 

[alroldan12]

They do have a toll free # listed on their web site (800) 342-5534. I would return it.

Axel

 

[MattKing]

Are you sure they don't email the shipping stickers?

Given current costs for long distance telephone service, I wouldn't stress too much about a non-toll free call.

Does your invoice not include instructions about returns?