But no matter... "(Weston EI numbers are about 1/3rd stop slower than ASA)." It's hardly a problem.
Some Master II's also had ASA dials.I particularly like the Weston Master III, which is the first with ASA index vs. Weston scale. I consider it a must to have a Zone System scale pasted to the dial. I admit my addiction to Zone System makes me feel lost when the Zone Dial falls off. I usually find the scale in the case or my pocket, lick it and stick it back on.
The meters are accurate when working but some fail. When I get one that's not working I will try and fix it. I have had only two Weston meters fail on me. One due to a scratched coil (scratch which severed a wire) and another that had a dead selenium cell. Generally the Weston and GE meters have well-sealed cells.
An issue of calibration though. Older meters were calibrated to tungsten while modern meters are calibrated to a standard closer to daylight. This means you really shouldn't condemn an old meter for not agreeing with a modern meter.
Some Master II's also had ASA dials.
There is still someone refurbishing Westons, and selling refurbished Westons, Ian Partridge .com is still doing them, his website states available today, July 2017, and he does a good job, I dropped a 5 a while ago, cracked the glass and the meter stoped working, I sent the meter to him to see if anything could be done and got back a virtual new meter, he is expensive but worth a look,
Richard
A third is the size and having to carry a separate meter. Not that it's a huge meter, but I rarely actually require an incident meter, and they're not all that tiny or convenient compared to something like a Sekonic hot shoe mounted meter.I carry the Sekonic L-398 at all times. A direct descendant of the Norwood Director, the ergonomics and accuracy are hard to beat. One downside is the large magnet in the meter movement that throws off the compass in my car... another is the limited low-light sensitivity.
I was worried about using a selenium meter as I've been told older ones can lose their accuracy ( I have one which reads what ever it fancies ,it may just be the case it is broke) Wheres your Auction Ian ?
Selenium meters are extremely accurate and constant above Exposure Values around 4 [at ISO 100} if they are working well and calibrated.
If you live in the temperate zones in an area that is relatively free of atmospheric pollution you can check the accuracy of a selenium cell as follows:
1. Make sure the zero setting is spot on by making sure that no light gets to the cell and adjusting the setting screw till no light reads zero.
2. Set it for ISO 100
3. Take a direct [not incident] reading from the clear blue sky with the sun at your back [and no clouds] around midday -- between say 11 am and 2 pm-ish.
4. If the Exposure Value of your reading is within ⅓ to half f/stop of 15 your meter is spot-on.
Cheers
LouisG
You check only 1 point. How accurate do you expect at other light level?
Total darkness is not a good calibration point.Thanks for following up on this matter. In fact, it's not 1 but 2 points: total darkness and the sky around noon on a cloudless day [EV 15 @ ISO 100]. A clean, working selenium light meter can be expected to be linear between these 2 points.
Best wishes, Louis
that's where you need the battery power!I have never used a battery powered meter but I really like my Zeiss Ikon Ikophot meter. It is excellent except in very poor light.
+1Total darkness is not a good calibration point.
It seemed to work great for mine. I guess you could complain to Weston about their calibration procedures. I am sure that they will be more than happy to revise their instructions based on your observations Chan.Total darkness is not a good calibration point.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?