Vintage light meter ideas please

[Sirius Glass]

Total darkness is not a good calibration point.

Try it, it works

Absolutely, not using total darkness as a calibration point has worked for me for over sixty years. I am sure that you experience as a degreed electro-optical engineer led you to this conclusion too.

 

[AgX]

Any good analog meter of any kind has a no-input (complete darkness in our cases) calibration point. Any electro engineer knows this...

It is to compensate for aberrations of the spring.

I assume the meters built into cameras have this too, though only being accessible after disassembly.

 

[Chan Tran]

So, if Dark, and sunny 16 (or whatever north clear midday sky is called) aren't good points, what would be alternatives?

Standard light source or comparing with a meter that is certified. And should be done at several points. Something around EV9 and EV14.

 

[BurchSung]

Hi...i am a new user here. As per my knowledge both need a battery converter to use with modern batteries. For models without a batter +1 for Weston 4 or 5, if you can find one with an inversion cone for incident metering even better. Other meter that although somewhat fussy to use, the GE with removable hood for low light.

 

[Paul Howell]

I use hearing aid batteries in my Weston Ranger 9, takes of rubber washers and folded alumiumum foil to get the correct fit. Batteries last a few months at the most. My GE meter is very sensitive, and after 50 or 60 years is spot on. But in most cases I use a digital camera as my light meter, best of the lot for film is oddely my Sigma SD9, maybe because the meter is same meter that used on their last film camera the SA9?

 

[Toyo]

Not quite the vintage you want but close and very accurate and reliable.
Lunasix F and Profisix are my workhorses. Both take easily found 9V batteries
T