Weston Master V Exposure Meter

Kathab · May 20, 2007

Hi,
I've recently purchased a Weston Master V meter on EBay from the States and the photo shows the indicator needle is positioned to the extreme left of the window, not indicating any reading and not positioned on the Zero number. Can anyone advise whether this means that the meter is defective or is this "normal" when not in use? I hope I haven't bought a "pup"!!:confused:

Nick Zentena · May 20, 2007

Doesn't move at all? Even when you open the low light door in the back?

Assuming it's like my IV look at the right side of the meter. Do you see a slide switch? Pretty big. Is it locked?

Kathab · May 20, 2007

I'm sorry Nick, but I don't have the meter to try out yet, I'm still waiting for delivery here in the UK. Most other photos I've seen of the W.M. V shows the needle resting on the Zero setting when the meter is not in use, but not the one I bought. Does yours rest away from the zero when not in :confused: use?

Nick Zentena · May 20, 2007

The zero on mine is the left side. I normally store the meter unlocked so the needle will go all the way left. Past the zero. It possible to lock the meter reading then the needle could be anyplace on the dial. The lock lets you take a reading then spin the dails to translate the reading into F/stops and shutter speed.

David H. Bebbington · May 20, 2007

What was a slide switch on the Master IV became a gray (Master V) or black (Euromaster) button in the middle of the right-hand long side of the meter. This button has a slot in it, turn it 1/4 turn to the left, preferably using your finger nail, and it will rise and lock the meter needle. You can then press it straight down to take a reading and release it to lock. If you turn the button 1/4 turn to the right, again using your finger nail, it will lock in the down position and have no effect on the meter needle movement.

Tip: If you have occasion to use the zero-adjust ("zero corrector") screw on the back of the meter, cover the cell with something black while doing so, make sure the meter lock is off, use only your fingernail if at all possible and be aware that it will be necessary to turn this screw by only a VERY small amount - give it 2 hearty turns with a screwdriver and your meter will be wrecked!

PS: The needle should be on zero when the needle lock is off and the cell is completely covered. If it goes below zero, readings will be way out!

Nick Zentena · May 20, 2007

I would say mine is slightly to the left of the zero mark. Depending on the angle you look at it can look like it's exactly on the zero but it's not. Reads fine according to sunny 16. Just compared it to my Sekonic and the readings are within my ability to test. 1/25 versus 1/30th of a second. That's in low light. If I remember the Weston does better in brighter light.

Renato Tonelli · May 20, 2007

Can the cell be replace on these meters?

Kathab · May 20, 2007

Thanks guys for all your replies. I may yet not have bought a "pup".

Regards, Kathab

Nick Zentena · May 20, 2007

Renato Tonelli said:
Can the cell be replace on these meters?

http://www.megatron.co.uk/homepage.html

42 pounds installed and calibrated.

Richard Kelham · May 20, 2007

Renato Tonelli said:
Can the cell be replace on these meters?

I had a new cell fitted to mine a few years back by a local repairman, and for less than Megatron charge! Unfortunately he has retired (or starved to death?).

Richard

Flotsam · May 20, 2007

Renato Tonelli said:
Can the cell be replace on these meters?

I just stumbled on this: http://www.ihagee.org/top01.htm
Scroll down to the heading something like "Repairing Selenium Meter Yourself"
Kind of interesting.

Akalai · May 20, 2007

Hey keep in mind:

Quality Light Metric
7095 Hollywood Blvd. # 550
Hollywood, California 90028
USA
tel:323/467-2265
fax:323/ 467-2284

email is; georgepmilton (AT) worldnet.att.net

This guy is THE guy to get to repair your old meters... I have had George fix two Master V's for me and they are great... better than new.

He even signs and dates his work... a true artist!

I am located in Australia and George treated me exceptionally well and the distance was a non issue. One of the best techs I have ever had the pleasure to deal with.

Kathab · May 25, 2007

The biggest "dog" in the world!

Kathab said:
Thanks guys for all your replies. I may yet not have bought a "pup".

Regards, Kathab

I really bought a pup--it is now in the hands of Megatron Photography and will probably need a new selenium cell fitted. Thanks Nick for your link to Megatron.:confused:

David H. Bebbington · May 25, 2007

Kathab said:
I really bought a pup--it is now in the hands of Megatron Photography and will probably need a new selenium cell fitted. Thanks Nick for your link to Megatron.:confused:

When it comes back, it should be as good as new - the last price for a new Weston Euromaster II was about £170, so you might come out ahead, with the meter and repair costing less than this!

Regards,

David

Flotsam · May 25, 2007

I've got a late model Sekonic Studio Deluxe so it will be many years before I need to worry about the cell degrading.
When I picked it up, the young salesperson at the photo shop tried to sell me batteries for it. I should have said "Sure. Could you look up the the proper type and install them for me?" That would have killed an afternoon.

Anscojohn · May 25, 2007

Kathab said:
Thanks guys for all your replies. I may yet not have bought a "pup".

Regards, Kathab

******
IMO, the best introduction to proper exposure is found in the instruction booklet for the Master V. Just look at the dial--the O the U indicate the limits of b/w exposure. The big V is Zone V.
My bride of just a few months broke my Master V in 1970. I replaced it with a Ranger 9 and even though the dial has the same system, I never liked the Ranger. I finally bought a Euromaster about fifteen years ago and use it almost every day. The Ranger 9 is long gone. The bride is still here.

And to do the zero test, put the hi baffle in place, then hold the front flap of the case tightly against the meter. Works for me.
Anscojohn, Mount Vernon, Virginia USA

Renato Tonelli · May 26, 2007

In the distant past I saw a picture in a book (Fred Picker's) of a Weston meter with Zone markings and it was obvious that they were printed at time of manufacture.

Any idea s to what model that was. I've searched various sites including auction sites but have not seen it. Did I dream it?

BTW, I second the service provided by Quality Light Metric. I have used him in the past for a Sekonic repair and was very happy with his service.

Flotsam · May 26, 2007

Renato Tonelli said:
In the distant past I saw a picture in a book (Fred Picker's) of a Weston meter with Zone markings and it was obvious that they were printed at time of manufacture.

I remember that someone used to make a printed zone sticker to put on a Weston Master. I don't know if they ever made a meter with an original zone dial but it wouldn't surprise me. It would have been easy enough to do and Ansel was responsible for selling a _lot_ of Master meters.

dferrie · May 30, 2007

Manual for Weston V

Just thought you may be interested to know that you can get a PDF of the Manual for the Weston V from www.orphancameras.com. I have a Weston V which is in permanent loan from my Father and have recently dusted it off as I want to do some back to basics work with an old Minolta SR1. Forty years old and it's still working fine.

My "problem" now is this is leading towards getting into MF photography. I've always been a 35mm guy but I'm out and about more as I now run Photographic Tours of Ireland and I really want to shoot landscapes using MF, at least I have solid light meter, now all I need is a MF camera to go with it!

David

Roger Hicks · May 30, 2007

One small point that no-one else seems to have made is that UK and US Weston Masters aren't identical.

Cheers,

R.

dferrie · May 30, 2007

Roger Hicks said:
One small point that no-one else seems to have made is that UK and US Weston Masters aren't identical.

Cheers,

R.

Good point, mine is the UK version. Manufactured in Enfield, Middlesex. The model number is S461-5. I haven't seen a US version so cannot comment on the differences.

David

Nick Zentena · May 30, 2007

What's the difference? I think my US Weston was made in the UK -)

Kathab · May 30, 2007

Flotsam said:
I remember that someone used to make a printed zone sticker to put on a Weston Master. I don't know if they ever made a meter with an original zone dial but it wouldn't surprise me. It would have been easy enough to do and Ansel was responsible for selling a _lot_ of Master meters.

It is still possible to obtain the stick on Zone Dial as far as I know-- I bought one for the Pentax Spotmeter V from Calumet U.S. and I believe they produce one for the W.M. V exposure meter.

Kathab

Roger Hicks · May 30, 2007

Nick Zentena said:
What's the difference? I think my US Weston was made in the UK -)

Dear Nick,

Quite honestly, I forget. But I've had two meters with the same number side by side -- V, I think, but it was 15-20 years ago -- and they're consmetically different and, if I recall aright, slightly functionally different too.

Cheers,

Roger

Weston Master V Exposure Meter

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