Light Meter

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BMD

BMD

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Bruce
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Guys,

Advice please.

I'm looking for a reasonable light meter to use with a Zeiss Ikon 'Netter' camera that used to belong to my late mother. I did have a very cheap meter, a Sekonic Auto Leader purchased from Boots about 25 years ago but that's now given up the ghost and as I still like to dabble with real film I'd appreciate some advice and recommendations if you would.
 
Weston Master V if you can get a nice one that reads straight :)

 
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I'll second that, lovely little meter that doesn't need batteries. I got mine with the original box, manual, leather pouches and purchase receipt from ebay for about £25 a couple of years ago. There are plenty about so don't bother unless it's described as metering properly and it's being sold with the invercone, which you'll need for incident readings.

If you fancy spending a bit more, lots of folk say you can't go wrong with a Sekonic L-308s.
 
Strappy said:
I'll second that, lovely little meter that doesn't need batteries. I got mine with the original box, manual, leather pouches and purchase receipt from ebay for about £25 a couple of years ago. There are plenty about so don't bother unless it's described as metering properly and it's being sold with the invercone, which you'll need for incident readings.

If you fancy spending a bit more, lots of folk say you can't go wrong with a Sekonic L-308s.
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I have both and @Strappy is spot on with the advice on the Weston make sure it comes with its case as the radiation detector thingy will be fresher :-)
 
If I was buying one I'd be inclined to buy one from a dealer that offers the item on an approval period and with a guarantee. Ffordes for example have one here at least you can compare it to any other meter that you might have, if it's no good then you can send it back without any fuss.
 
Thanks all. Had a brief look on FleaBay. Prices range from 99p to £60. Some offered by dealers. I'm a great believer that you get what you pay for so I'm leaving those under £10 alone and have sent questions to a couple of dealers.
 
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I think mine was a Zeiss Ikonta- M
 
I reckon I bought it from either @retrogamer1990 or @TheGreatSoprendo I can say it was blooming fantastic piece of kit and capable of very sharp pictures it made me realise how wonderfull medium format was and got me hooked :-)
 
The Weston III and IV work just as good (I have both) and should be cheaper, the only disadvantage is they are all not very good in low light
 
excalibur2 said:
The Weston III and IV work just as good (I have both) and should be cheaper, the only disadvantage is they are all not very good in low light
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Nor am I unless I squint :-)
 
Thanks for the link. Is that OTT then?
 
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difficult to say for me I love mine because its also a very romantic piece of kit, beautiffully made and a just harks back to an era of solidity.

most of the time i use my sekonic 308 as its very accurate and i shoot mainly slide fillum.

personally I think the weston V is just lovely and even just as a desk ornment a real charm.
 
Mr Bump said:
Nor am I unless I squint :)
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;) At the bootie today the guy had about 10 Westons of all sorts.........and in the past have seen Vs going for a tenner, a safe buy as they either work or don't, but I suppose you would have to carry a camera (with exposure meter) or some mobile around to check for accuracy. :(
 
I would like a cone for mine to test it truly against my L-308.
 
Mr Bump said:
difficult to say for me I love mine because its also a very romantic piece of kit, beautiffully made and a just harks back to an era of solidity.

most of the time i use my sekonic 308 as its very accurate and i shoot mainly slide fillum.

personally I think the weston V is just lovely and even just as a desk ornment a real charm.
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I know what you mean. My Nettar sits on my desk in my 'Photo Den'. It's the simplicity of it I find attractive. Nothing electrical and a quality build. Apart from the bellows it's the pop up viewing window that appeals. That window is totally useless, but I then compare it with my DSLR's and boy has technology moved on.
 
Mr Bump said:
I would like a cone for mine to test it truly against my L-308.
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or grey card ;) I've checked all my cameras and my westons pointing at green shrubbery and it's amazing how modern film cameras all agree.....at most there is about half a stop difference.
 
I use a Sekonic L208 twin master. Dead simple and small but very accurate.
 
My Weston Master V arrived today with the 'Invercone', full instructions and all neatly covered in unmarked leather cases. Looks hardly used with no marks or anything. It really is a thing of beauty.

Now got to figure out how to use it....lol
 
BMD said:
My Weston Master V arrived today with the 'Invercone', full instructions and all neatly covered in unmarked leather cases. Looks hardly used with no marks or anything. It really is a thing of beauty.

Now got to figure out how to use it....lol
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ha ha yes it took some working out for me. I never had the invecone for mine, so just pointed it the way i was shooting and clicked the button in/out which locks the needle, i then used the value on the exposure side of the dial, set the iso and then work on that reading. I now know after a bit more experience that that just gives a reflected reading.
 
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