Pentax V Spot Meter Question

[Huram]

I recently purchased an analogue Pentax V meter off of eBay. There is a button on the spot meter that should light up the scale while looking through the spot meter (it is called the scale illuminator button). The needle works fine, but the scale illuminator button doesn't do anything. 2 questions:

1. How can I repair this? Replace a bulb or something?

2. Is it worth repairing? The point of this back up light is to be able to see the reading when your subject is dark. There is no way to "lock in" the reading and move it to a lighted area. Has anyone had a problem using their Pentax Spot Meter without the "scale illuminator" feature?

Thanks.

Dave

 

[Jeff Dyck]

From what I recall on my old Analog Pentax spotmeter, the lightsource was powered by a separate battery (it may have been a 9V?) located inside the handle. You may just have to replace the battery.

 

[Ole]

Has anyone had a problem using their Pentax Spot Meter without the "scale illuminator" feature?

Only at night. I've used it once in five years!

 

[juan]

Did you look for the illumination in very low light? It's not very bright and if the area you point the meter at is above a minimal level, you won't see the illumination. Also, it's only on the far left end of the scale - the low EV numbers.

I don't believe the Spotmeter V ever took more than one battery - actually three stacked together, but the meter has been made for a long time so there may be different versions.

I've used mine for 20+ years and I don't recall every using the feature in the field. Unless you take photos consistently in very low light, I wouldn't worry about it.