S.E.I Photometer bulb

[mikewhi]

Hi:

I have come into posession of one of these in beauitful cosmetic condition.
It does not work, however. I put a new D-cell battery in it and the bulb is apparently not lighting up. I have tested the bulb with a D cell battery and some aligator clips and it won't light. I ran the same test on a flashlight bulb and it lights, so I know I'm getting juice from the battery to the bulb.

The instruction describes battery replacement like this:

"The battery to be used is a cylindrical one, size U.2. To ensure good contact choose a make without a pip on the centre brass terminal (e.g. G.E.C.)."

I guess G.E.C. means General Electric Corp? What is size U.2? A D-cell fits in there perfectlly.

Does anyone know of a source for odd-sized bulbs like one in the thumbnail?
Sorry it's so blurry, but you can see it's shape and size relative to a quarter (that's 25 cents, US).

Based on the manual's description of the bulb replacement, it isn't all that important that be an exact replica of the original. Only that it fit, light up and put out enough light so that the meter can be 'zeroed' out. It says that replacement bulbs can be obtained from Ilford Limited! Whonder if they've discontinued that product, too<g>?

Hopefully, I can get a new bulb(s) and it'll work.

Also, I'm having trouble removing the bulb from its holder. I got the large round brass part off that shows in the thumbnail. Buth when I screw out the bulb, it's still in another brass threaded piece that comes out. I removed an o-ring from the base of the bulb that looked like it held the bulb in, but after removing it the bulb will not screw out or pop out. It's still encased in this brass collar. If I can get the bulb out of this, I can hopefully match it up with something or get a replacement put in there.

I got it mostly as a curosity piece\historic relic. But it would be a real kick if I could get to actually function.

Also, if anyone knows of anyone that could work on this, I'd be willing to invest some money to get it going again.

This will put to test the true internaltion brain-power of APUG!

Thanks.

-Mike

 

[wfwhitaker]

Mike,

The S.E.I. is a fascinating bit of photographic history and hardware. I confess to owning two of the things myself, although I've not gotten as far as carrying one in the field with me. They're rather heavy and my Pentax spotmeter is a bit more practical. Nevertheless, there's no reason not to use yours.

Don Krehbiel's wonderful web site has a page on the S.E.I. (http://kcbx.net/~mhd/2photo/film/expose/sei.htm) which includes information and a very useful conversion table.

This site (Dead Link Removed) offers both information on the S.E.I. and an LED replacement for the bulb. Thanks for reminding me; I need to order one myself!

Best,
Will

 

[Jorge]

Now that! looks like a real light Saber Luke.....may the force be with you...and remember our good friend Yoda..."size matters not"...

 

[mikewhi]

Mike,

The S.E.I. is a fascinating bit of photographic history and hardware. I confess to owning two of the things myself, although I've not gotten as far as carrying one in the field with me. They're rather heavy and my Pentax spotmeter is a bit more practical. Nevertheless, there's no reason not to use yours.

Don Krehbiel's wonderful web site has a page on the S.E.I. (http://kcbx.net/~mhd/2photo/film/expose/sei.htm) which includes information and a very useful conversion table.

This site (Dead Link Removed) offers both information on the S.E.I. and an LED replacement for the bulb. Thanks for reminding me; I need to order one myself!

Best,
Will

Thanks for the incredibly helpful information, Will I have e-mailed him to see if he still offers the LED and\or works on them anymore.

I, too, have the Pentax spot meter, but I would rellay like to have one of these for the novelty\historical attractions. I'd love to get it up and running and actually shoot with and compare it in the field to the Pentax.

Thanks again and I'll let you know, via this thread, how the mods go.

-Mike