Poor Man's Spot Meter?

b00giebear · Mar 26, 2017

Recommendations and suggestions welcome for an inexpensive (<$100, the more inexpensive the better) spot meter for use with the zone system.

Current options under consideration:
- Sverdlovsk-4
- Honeywell Pentax 3/21 Spot Meter
- Honeywell Pentax 1/21 Spot Meter
- Generic SP-II
- Soligor Digital Spot (identical to Adorama Spot-meter)

The Sverdlovsk-4 is a spot meter only in the sense that it is a reflected light meter with a fairly narrow 12 degree by 8 degree angle of view.
I'm a bit wary of the battery situation with both of the Honeywell Pentax meters.
The generic SP-II and Soligor/Adorama meters seem to be the least common.

Peter Schrager · Mar 26, 2017

Soligor.. the pentax ones suck..big and ugly
Soligor Soligor

spark · Mar 26, 2017

My Soligor "Spot Sensor-II" is great. It was $45 at a photo swap, but worth it. Takes a common 9 volt battery that lasts quite a long time.

AgX · Mar 26, 2017

Another option would be the Gossen "Tele" attachment on one of their appropriate meters.

chriscrawfordphoto · Mar 26, 2017

You can often find the Pentax Spotmeter V for around $100. I would get it instead of the older model Pentaxes you mentioned. They require mercury batteries, while the Spotmeter V takes moder 1.5v silver oxides.

The Minolta Spotmeter F can often be found for not much above $100 and it is one of the best spotmeters ever made.

locutus · Mar 26, 2017

For Zone system use a 10 or even 5 degree spot isn't that great. If at all possible go for a 1 degree meter.

Skiver101 · Mar 26, 2017

I use the Minolta Spotmeter F. Great meter.
Remember to remove battery when not in use.

pentaxuser · Mar 26, 2017

Skiver101 said:
I use the Minolta Spotmeter F. Great meter.
Remember to remove battery when not in use.

Can I ask why? Is there no on/off switch or is this simply the principle of removing batteries to prevent leakage if they are left forgotten in a meter or any other batter powered instrument for a long time i.e. you'd offer the same advice for a Soligor/Pentax etc?

Thanks

pentaxuser

chriscrawfordphoto · Mar 26, 2017

pentaxuser said:
Can I ask why? Is there no on/off switch or is this simply the principle of removing batteries to prevent leakage if they are left forgotten in a meter or any other batter powered instrument for a long time i.e. you'd offer the same advice for a Soligor/Pentax etc?

Thanks

pentaxuser

My Spotmeter F didn't have any issues with leaving a battery in it. I think the Spotmeter M did drain batteries when not in use. The M looks identical to the F; the main differences are the F can measure flash and the M cannot. Maybe Skiver got them confused, or maybe earlier F's had the same issue some of the M's did?

Skiver101 · Mar 26, 2017

No, no.
I believe it's best practice, nothing more. Feel free to leave the battery in place for as long as you wish.
There was no confusion, I don't know any other spotmeter. But I do have experience of sh*t quality batteries.

JP

RalphLambrecht · Mar 26, 2017

b00giebear said:
Recommendations and suggestions welcome for an inexpensive (<$100, the more inexpensive the better) spot meter for use with the zone system.

Current options under consideration:
- Sverdlovsk-4
- Honeywell Pentax 3/21 Spot Meter
- Honeywell Pentax 1/21 Spot Meter
- Generic SP-II
- Soligor Digital Spot (identical to Adorama Spot-meter)

The Sverdlovsk-4 is a spot meter only in the sense that it is a reflected light meter with a fairly narrow 12 degree by 8 degree angle of view.
I'm a bit wary of the battery situation with both of the Honeywell Pentax meters.
The generic SP-II and Soligor/Adorama meters seem to be the least common.

the classicPentax digital spotter is still the best and most practice spotter ever made.

tedr1 · Mar 26, 2017

Another vote for the Pentax Spotmeter V, it is 1 degree spot size, fits the budget, uses modern 1.5V cells that are inexpensive and last forever, it is beautifully made and easy to use, a pleasure to own. They change hands on ebay.com all the time. I added a zone dial to mine.

pentaxuser · Mar 26, 2017

Thanks for the clarification, Skiver101. I thought this was probably what you meant but nice to know it was not a constant drain issue even when the meter switch is off

pentaxuser

Sirius Glass · Mar 26, 2017

Gossen Luna Pro SBC plus the Gossen Spot Attachment for around $100 from KEH.

Michael Guzzi · Mar 26, 2017

Peter Schrager said:
Soligor.. the pentax ones suck..big and ugly
Soligor Soligor

spark said:
My Soligor "Spot Sensor-II" is great. It was $45 at a photo swap, but worth it. Takes a common 9 volt battery that lasts quite a long time.

Another vote for the Soligor. I have a digital spot sensor, and it's just magical. Best budget spot meter IMO. Its a true 1º spotmeter too, which some of the suggestions above aren't.

Another plus, that you mentioned, these aren't as well-known as say the Pentax ones. So they tend to go for significantly lower prices on the auction site, if you are inclined to buy from there. I bought mine there for 50 plus shipping, even came with a fresh battery on it.

Sirius Glass · Mar 26, 2017

Also use your telephoto zoom lens with the TTL as a spot meter and then change back to the normal or wide angle lens.

b00giebear · Mar 26, 2017

Sirius Glass said:
Also use your telephoto zoom lens with the TTL as a spot meter and then change back to the normal or wide angle lens.

That would be ideal, but I have a Nikon F2 with a bratty prism that only feels inclined to meter half the time and one 50mm lens

paul ron · Mar 27, 2017

I got a Spectralstar SP-1 spot meter for about $50 because no one wanted to buy it thinking its a piece of no name junk. It takes a 9V battery that lasts forever. Compared to the button celled Pentaxes.. i love this one. its exactly the same as the Pentax meters and just as accurate.

I have the Gossen luna pro, both SBC and the classic gray body with the attachemnt. Not bad at all but I cant see through that little peep hole to see my field of view.

AgX · Mar 27, 2017

One should look at, not through that hole.

GregW · Mar 27, 2017

A vote for the Classic Weston 348* Spot meter. You can download a Zone dial, print it on a sticker and apply. Ansel Adams used one. They are cheap on Ebay, Get one and send it to Quality light metric for a going over. All told should be less than 100 bucks. I like it's small size, like a deck of cards.

*also called a Ranger 9.

OptiKen · Mar 27, 2017

I too, own a Soligor Digital Spot meter and like it very much. It is 'spot-on' and very simple to use. It's bulk keeps me from always bringing it with me but when I do, it's very tight and accurate.

Poor Man's Spot Meter?

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