Using Pentax Digital Spot Meter for the Zone System

John Wiegerink

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I didn't know exactly where to post this question, so will try here. I just bought a used Pentax Digi spot meter that came with no manual. I pretty much have it all figured out, but for one little thing. It's the little red/orange line just to the right of 60 on the shutter speed ring. I've searched, found the pdf manual, but didn't seem to see this line mentioned. Just curious as to what it's there for. Also, is it worth putting one of those Zone scales on the meter? I think I can close down and open up just as fast in my head.
 

BrianShaw

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The red mark is 1/50. See the manual section on cine.

The sticker is mostly useful for pre visualization of zones. You’re not a full-fledged member of the club without it.
 
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John Wiegerink

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BrianShaw said:
The red mark is 1/50. See the manual section on cine.

The sticker is mostly useful for pre visualization of zones. You’re not a full-fledged member of the club without it.
Click to expand...

Thanks a bunch! I must have missed that reading the pdf manual. I guess I'll remain an outcast "Man without a label" then, since I see no reason to put it on.
 

Andrew O'Neill

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John Wiegerink said:
Thanks a bunch! I must have missed that reading the pdf manual. I guess I'll remain an outcast "Man without a label" then, since I see no reason to put it on.
Click to expand...

You really don't need the label, John, especially if you know the Zone System well. I never bothered putting one on when I had that metre...still kicking myself for selling it to put toward a new Fujinon C 600, back when Fuji was still making them...
 

Vaughn

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I bought a used Pentax Digital Spot -- first thing I did was take off that pesky Zone scale.
 

MTGseattle

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Maybe practitioners can place a zone scale sticker on their vehicles instead?

Also, @Andrew O'Neill how often do you use the 600mm? I'd be curious to see what your composition above Kamloops lake would look like with it.
 

ic-racer

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It is nice to have a scale in cases where it is not always obvious. Like my Sekonic, where, if using exposure comp as as the zone, it goes in reverse. Coincidentally 2.5 is the same.

Also, the Rollei built-in spot meter, where zones might not be obvious without a sticker:

 

Nicholas Lindan

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I never got around to placing a Zone sticker on my Pentax digital.

I would like to think it would have saved me from a day's shooting where I metered the shadows and promptly opened up 3 stops to compensate. Pulling the negatives from the developing reels and finding I had overexposed by 6 stops put paid to forgetting which way to adjust the exposure.
 

Sirius Glass

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Vaughn said:
I bought a used Pentax Digital Spot -- first thing I did was take off that pesky Zone scale.
Click to expand...

I am so embarrassed! The first thing I did was get one of those Zone Scales added to my meter and I use it every time.
 

Alan9940

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I bought a modified Pentax Digital Spot from Zone VI about 40 years ago so it came with the zone scale on it. After many, many years of using that meter I do prefer having the scale there as I don't have to think too much! Meter the shadows, rotate the dial to Zone III, then read off my desired aperture/shutter speed choice. I just know that if I read a shadow area giving me a Zone V exposure value that I'd forget to adjust exposure by -2 stops. That said, I'm sure other photographers are smarter than me!
 
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John Wiegerink

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Andrew O'Neill said:
You really don't need the label, John, especially if you know the Zone System well. I never bothered putting one on when I had that metre...still kicking myself for selling it to put toward a new Fujinon C 600, back when Fuji was still making them...
Click to expand...

Andy,
"A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do". A Fuji C 600 would be nice for my old 8X10, but I'll plug along with an old uncoated Zeiss convertible Protar for a 600mm. If it works don't fix it.
 

Lachlan Young

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Vaughn said:
I bought a used Pentax Digital Spot -- first thing I did was take off that pesky Zone scale.
Click to expand...

I've always found it amusing/ bemusing that it's stuck over the I.R.E. scale - which actually does what the zone system spends hours failing to comprehend.
 

Chan Tran

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The Pentax spot meter demands a very high price in the used market because you're not a full fledged member of the club without it. Any other spotmeters like the Sekonic, Gossen, Minolta, Kinko although newer and more accurate won't do. So you may as well get the sticker.
 
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John Wiegerink

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I agree, the price for a used Pentax Digital spot meter is absolutely ridiculous. I was ready to buy a used Minolta F spot meter, but got the Pentax for much, much less than what an even beat up Minolta F would go for, so I bought it. I refuse to pay the going price for a Pentax Digital spot meter, but when they fall in your lap, you almost have no choice. I've owned all the meters you mentioned and have had the best luck with the Minolta meters.
 

Chan Tran

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Back in the early 80's I could buy the Pentax Digital Spotmeter for about $250 new but I decided to pay $330 for the Minolta Spotmeter M (not even the F version). I can't see how the Pentax is more valuable. Perhaps the dial???
 

Patrick Robert James

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I've used other spot meters, the Sekonic 508, Minolta M, but the Pentax with the dial just works. Of course the Sekonic and Minolta had averaging and were more sophisticated, but I like to keep things simple. Before the Pentax I hated spot metering.

I made a new scale for mine and I printed a bunch extra if anyone wants one. Just shoot me a pm.
 
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John Wiegerink

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I might be wrong, but I don't think I'd ever use all the averaging spots that most of the meters have when shooting B&W. Two is enough for me, Highlight and Shadow. Maybe for color negative film I might?
 

jk0592

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Usually, a Zone VI modified Pentax commands a higher price than a regular one.
 

MarkS

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I bought a Z-VI modified Pentax digital spot meter in 1992 and used it regularly, until I left it somewhere in the field in 2010. It was a marvelously accurate and simple tool. A small and elegant design, it may have lacked "features", but that meant that I didn't have to spend much time studying it (instead of my subject). The increased accuracy when using moderate b/w filters quickly became apparent in my negatives.
For my own pictures, I found that the extensive calculations people associate with the Zone System were not necessary, and that meter just gave me useful information. Even the Fred Picker "place the high value on VIII" method worked well. I never knew that I was part of a "club" based on that choice of a meter, and I'm not sure I want to be.
After I lost the Z-VI I went back to my 1978 Gossen Luna-Pro and did ok with my exposures. Then I found a Soligor spot meter at a swap meet, and had it calibrated. That works well enough but is large and clunky; an inelegant design (I have to tape the iSO dial in place) that gets the job done- although I have no affection for it.
 

Vaughn

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Sirius Glass said:
I am so embarrassed! The first thing I did was get one of those Zone Scales added to my meter and I use it every time.
Click to expand...

-- nah, I just like working with the EV readings, and after taking a few readings I can pretty much figure out my exposure EV and placement/fall of important areas before setting the exposure EV on the dial to select the corresponding f/stop and exposure combo I want to use. So having a visual aid of the Zones on the dial just cluttered it up for me. But I can see why others would like the sticker.

I have the Pentax Digital, with a non-digital Pentax SpotMeter V as my back-up. After years of using a Luna Pro and having to fix its needle occasionally due to rough use, I wanted a meter with less moving parts...and the digital readout is easy to see in low light situations. I have no need for a meter with memory or averaging (or metering flash), so I love the simplicity of the Pentax Digital.
 
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