Weston Master V Repair

[iamskye]

Well I've bought two of these off eBay now, and neither work. The first one has a bad photovoltaic cell, needle doesn't move. The one I just got the needle moves fine, but the ISO selection dial has no effect, it appears to be stuck around 2500 ISO (reads correctly on the low-scale at that ISO at any rate). Grr!!

Now, I know I can send it in for repair. The point of getting one of these old clunkers was that it would be cheap and nothing about sending gear in is cheap Besides it would blow my medium-format entry budget of $200 (lots of free expired film and a C220 on the way)

The new one (with the cell that works but ASA dial doesn't) makes grindy noises when I turn the ASA/ISO dial. This leads me to believe there's probably a bunch of gunk on what I assume it's attached to, a big potentiometer. So if I open it up and give it a clean (smells old and attic-y anyway) the dial should work again. Or maybe swap it out with the other meter (I'm OK at soldering)

I'll probably just dive in and open the case on the one with the broken photocell before I even get a response to this, but any tips and/or service manuals (a long shot) would be much appreciated. Looks like those two hex heads on the back are the way in....

Skye

 

[jmcd]

These are great meters, and worth the cost of getting properly repaired, I think.
Quality Light Metric
7095 Hollywood Blvd. #550
Hollywood CA 90028
323-467-2265


This first-class shop will put in a new selenium cell if needed, along with tuning and replacing the following checkpoints:
calibration
balance
jewels
switch
hairspring
front glass
pointer
coil
cell

Assuming this meter is in fine enough condition to repair, the cost will be around $78 and you will have a superb meter, built to last. I have had a couple done at this shop, and think it a bargain, especially considering the professional excellence of this shop's work.

Or perhaps you can get it into fine shape yourself. I know I could not, but am happy to be a customer of Quality Light Metric. Good luck, either way.

 

[iamskye]

Well I just opened one up and the pot and needle are all one assembly, doesn't look like I can get in there to clean or test without screwing something up. I guess I'll send it in, although that's getting awfully close to modern used light meter prices. Still, no batteries and built to last does have a nice ring; the meter is quite nice to use.

 

[Bob-D659]

There is no "pot" inside. The round dials are a mechanical calculator. Unscrew the knurled screw in the center and the whole calculator assembly just pops off. There is a lock pin the button on the top left moves so you can adjust the asa setting. Just line it back up with the hole in the bottom of the calculator when you replace the round assembly. My V is still working and I bought it brand new.... a long time ago.

 

[iamskye]

Well I'll be damned, you're right. Maybe I don't need to send it in after all, I can just recalibrate based on what my SLR agrees with. Thanks for the sanity check

 

[Anscojohn]

Well I'll be damned, you're right. Maybe I don't need to send it in after all, I can just recalibrate based on what my SLR agrees with. Thanks for the sanity check

******
I hope you get that one working for you. For the other one, Quality Light Metric is the way to go. They got my trusty ol' Weston V back to perfect running order, with a new cell and whatever else it took. The eighty or so bucks, counting the shipping, was well worth it to me.

I was given one just a few weeks ago. It responds; but is off. I was told that corrosion in some pressure contacts under the dials would be easily taken care of; but I lost courage soon after taking off the back. When I am a little bit of cash ahead I will send it of to Quality. A man can't have too many Weston Vs, methinks.

 

[iamskye]

I spoke too soon, from what I can tell there's no adjustment that can be made on the "mechanical calculator" on the front - it only goes on one way. If I want it to read accurately, something inside needs tweaking.

Might as well get them both fixed at the same time I guess!

 

[Ulrich Drolshagen]

You may be interested in looking here: http://www.megatron.co.uk/
If I did get it right, they are the successors of the manufacturer.

Ulrich

 

[Steve Smith]

How much were you quoted for repair?

It may be worth sending to Megatron in the UK instead.

Bottom of this page: http://www.megatron.co.uk/homepage.html

Our experienced exposure meter specialists also recommend a wide range of repairs and servicing to all Weston Master & Euromaster exposure meters: Calibration check - £22; Recalibration, servicing and minor adjustments - £36; New photocell fitted, recalibration & servicing - £42; New movement fitted, recalibration & servicing - £55; New photocell & new movement fitted, recalibration & servicing - £66. All prices include UK carriage and VAT.

EDIT: I should have read the last post!

Steve.

 

[Jayd]

I didn't know anyone had selemium cells I'll keep that in mind. as for the Weston Ed Romney's Basic trainning book has a section on them.