SEKONIC L6 not metering

Whomever · Apr 21, 2021

I just got a Sekonic L6. With the cover flipped up the meter needle doesn't move. Are there any fixes for this? Or is it just a really nice paper weight?
Thank you in advance.

Dennis-B · Apr 22, 2021

The L6 uses a selenium cell. It may have deteriorated over time, or there could be problems with the wiring. Unless there's a pressing reason to have it repaired...

Whomever · Apr 22, 2021

There is no pressing reason to repair it, it was supposedly working when it was shipped a few days ago. So given the age it could easily be either.

Wallendo · Apr 22, 2021

Maybe the manual will help:
https://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/sekonic_l-vi/sekonic_l-vi.htm

BobD · Apr 22, 2021

There are lots of them on eBay plus tons of other selenium meters, all at low cost. Of course, you should verify they are working or are returnable.

runswithsizzers · Apr 22, 2021

Some people may think a selenium cell meter is "working" if the needle moves. However, that definition does not consider if the meter is accurate. I have owned two selenium meters with moving needles that both read more than 1-1/2 stops low.

Whomever · Apr 22, 2021

runswithsizzers said:
Some people may think a selenium cell meter is "working" if the needle moves. However, that definition does not consider if the meter is accurate. I have owned two selenium meters with moving needles that both read more than 1-1/2 stops low.

Yes U tested a working meter against a know good reading

Whomever · Apr 22, 2021

Wallendo said:
Maybe the manual will help:
https://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/sekonic_l-vi/sekonic_l-vi.htm

Thank you, I tested in dim ro bight with it open snd closed, so if it helps coils were bad and not the selenium cell, there should logicly been some movement. So I would guell the cell is worn.
Thank you for the manual.

Down Under · Apr 23, 2021

In my time as a photographer I have owned several selenium cell meters - six or more Weston Masters and one Sekonic.

You must accept that they are cantankerous things and subject to either malfunctioning at times or, given their age, not functioning at all.

I have three Weston Master Vs from the early 1960s. One no longer works. Another works when given a light tap but shortly after goes back into a long sleep until the next tap. The third works and reads 85%-90% accurately.

I have a Weston Master III from 1952 or 1953. It works consistently but reads about 75%-80% accurately and even then only in bright day. Also a Weston Master II from antiquity which goes on reading but I do not trust it as it is all over the place. I carry the II and the III around my neck and match the exposures. About half the time the II is reasonably (say 60%) accurate. Okay for black-and-white and color negative but it is not one I would care to be working with in a pro photo session.

I have several Gossen battery operated meters as well. All are accurate, but this thread is not about these, so I will say no more.

It may be something as simple as a loose wire which MAY be fixable if you go about it carefully. Opening a selenium cell meter is an activity fraught with danger. Small springs can easily leap out and even if you can find them again, trying to figure out where the heck they go in the meter would be almost impossible.

Or it may be 'expired' and a display item on your shelf queen cabinet.

SO you takes your chances. Fortunately, Sekonics are not really expensive on the secondhand market. Westons are literally being given away.

Whomever · Apr 23, 2021

ozmoose said:
In my time as a photographer I have owned several selenium cell meters - six or more Weston Masters and one Sekonic.

You must accept that they are cantankerous things and subject to either malfunctioning at times or, given their age, not functioning at all.

I have three Weston Master Vs from the early 1960s. One no longer works. Another works when given a light tap but shortly after goes back into a long sleep until the next tap. The third works and reads 85%-90% accurately.

I have a Weston Master III from 1952 or 1953. It works consistently but reads about 75%-80% accurately and even then only in bright day. Also a Weston Master II from antiquity which goes on reading but I do not trust it as it is all over the place. I carry the II and the III around my neck and match the exposures. About half the time the II is reasonably (say 60%) accurate. Okay for black-and-white and color negative but it is not one I would care to be working with in a pro photo session.

I have several Gossen battery operated meters as well. All are accurate, but this thread is not about these, so I will say no more.

It may be something as simple as a loose wire which MAY be fixable if you go about it carefully. Opening a selenium cell meter is an activity fraught with danger. Small springs can easily leap out and even if you can find them again, trying to figure out where the heck they go in the meter would be almost impossible.

Or it may be 'expired' and a display item on your shelf queen cabinet.

SO you takes your chances. Fortunately, Sekonics are not really expensive on the secondhand market. Westons are literally being given away.

Tank you, you have quite the collection. .
For what I got it for, its cheaper to telce.

SEKONIC L6 not metering

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