Spotmatic meter not working :(

thecornflake

thecornflake

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Simon
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Just got a replacement battery (the proper one with the adapter ring) for a Spotmatic that I got from Ebay a while ago. Camera is in really good condition but meter still doesn't want to work at all. Cleaned contacts, checked connections are not flattened or shorting and had the bottom plate off and it all looks ok. Not the end of the world - I do have a handheld meter. Would just be nice to get it working.

Is there anything else I can try? It's not really worth paying the repair cost to send it somewhere but it's a shame as the rest is in such good condition.
 
Assuming its not a Spotmatic F (which activates the meter automatically when the lens cap is removed due to the open aperture metering system), have you actually turned the meter on? Press up the depth of field preview lever (on the left hand side of the mount [viewing from the back of the camera]) to stop the lens down and activate the meter (the idea is that you stop down to meter, then release the DOF lever to open the lens for focusing [as the screen will then be bright]).

Sam
 
It's a SP 1000. Meter switch moves fine, and back after taking a shot. The needle just doesn't move at all. There isn't a DOF preview button. Some of my lenses have auto\manual switches, I've tried all the lenses with the switches in all the positions :)
 
One of the holly "biblemeteriusm" is that old camera,s with light meters often do not work,forget the, can I fix it, move on and get used to sunny 16. :) (y)
 
thecornflake said:
It's a SP 1000. Meter switch moves fine, and back after taking a shot. The needle just doesn't move at all. There isn't a DOF preview button. Some of my lenses have auto\manual switches, I've tried all the lenses with the switches in all the positions :)
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The meter switch is the depth of field preview, by pressing that you stop down the lens so to let the camera meter. It doesn't matter whether you have the lens on auto or manual (auto is prefrable as it makes focusing easier).
 
mines been playing up, i think i need to get a wein cell as it the lever/indicator doesnt move smoothly in the viewfinder, and it meters iso 800 vaguly. if i set it to iso 80 (or whatever 1 notch below 100 is)
try using different iso setting, see if u can get any life out of it.

when i had the wein cell in before it worked ok, think that has gone flat (didnt cover it like i should have) and other batteries ive tried have made stuff happen but very dubious of acuracy as its way off my dslr and mobile :\
 
I bought a new Spotmatic in Kobe Japan in 1970 but the meter failed after four years,,, I was quoted a repair cost that was more than I paid for the camera :(
 
pingu666 said:
i think i need to get a wein cell
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You don't need a Wein cell for a Spotmatic. It has a bridge circuit which is insensitive to voltage variance. Anything which will fit and which you can make contact will work.


Steve.
 
i know it should be fine, but the batteries i have tried have made it very peaky, and not right, so maybe mine just needs a wein :(
 
I can't think of any reason why having a Wein cell would make any difference. Perhaps your other cell was not making contact properly.

If you have a £1 shop near you, see if you can find a card with a selection of different size cells on it. There is usually one which fits. Sometimes you need to insulate the edge with tape to stop it shorting out.


Steve.
 
it could be i have a really early model or the voltage regulators have aged, or its broke itself in the period since i last used it :/
 
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