Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!

pbo · 06-23-2009, 02:12 PM

Just wondering - I have two cheap vintage lightmeters, one is a Sekonic Auto-Leader 38, another is Weston Mater IV. I tried fiddling with them - turn knobs here and there, point to lights - but nothing seems to be happening... The needle stays at 0, sometimes sways just a bit - but nothing major...
So forgive me for a stupid question, but is there supposed to be some sort of button to turn the thing on, or do they need some kind of batteries (I don't see a compartment..) or are they just dead?

flyer · 06-23-2009, 03:43 PM

I don't know about the Weston Master, but the Sekonic is a selenium cell lightmeter, and as such, it needs no batteries. You can get more info there:Sekonic Auto-leader L-38 light meter, exposure meter, user manual, instruction manual

pbo · 06-23-2009, 09:22 PM

Yeah, I read that before... I'm beginning to think they're just dead

Ben_Edict · 06-25-2009, 06:14 AM

Selenium cells dy over time, so it is very possible, that your meters are dead. The Weston Master was highly regarded and is still sought after, so repair might be an option for you. There is a company in the UK, that does replace Selenium cells: MEGATRON - for measuring light

Go to the EuroMaster page and scroll down to the end. There are prices given for repair and cell replacements.

Ben

pbo · 06-25-2009, 12:45 PM

I think I'll pass on that one and just buy another *working* meter... Replacing the cell just doesn't seem to be worth it, at least for me for now.

Damn Brit · 06-25-2009, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by pbo

I think I'll pass on that one and just buy another *working* meter... Replacing the cell just doesn't seem to be worth it, at least for me for now.

Light meters aren't cheap you know, it's not going to cost you to see if it can be fixed just an email or two.

pbo · 07-01-2009, 10:30 PM

Ha! I got lucky and the next two turned out to be working! One is Weston xm1 (model 540), other is General Electric (never thought they make lightmeters!) model PR-1. I really like the GE lightmeter, it has a neato double - "trident" match-needle, which switches depending on the position of the wheel (high/low)

Ben_Edict · 07-02-2009, 01:45 AM

Originally posted by pbo

Ha! I got lucky and the next two turned out to be working! One is Weston xm1 (model 540), other is General Electric (never thought they make lightmeters!) model PR-1. I really like the GE lightmeter, it has a neato double - "trident" match-needle, which switches depending on the position of the wheel (high/low)

A good lightmeter will be very useful for you. So, have fun and put them to good use.

Ben

06-23-2009, 02:12 PM	#1
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891	Anthing special I should know about Light Meters? Just wondering - I have two cheap vintage lightmeters, one is a Sekonic Auto-Leader 38, another is Weston Mater IV. I tried fiddling with them - turn knobs here and there, point to lights - but nothing seems to be happening... The needle stays at 0, sometimes sways just a bit - but nothing major... So forgive me for a stupid question, but is there supposed to be some sort of button to turn the thing on, or do they need some kind of batteries (I don't see a compartment..) or are they just dead?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
light meters....is it any good today?	D4rknezz	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	28	04-23-2010 12:49 AM
Light meters	Naturenut	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	6	03-11-2010 12:40 PM
External light/flash meters useful?	drjaxon	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	4	02-03-2009 08:42 PM
Hand held light meters	squarerigger	Pentax Camera and Field Accessories	19	07-02-2007 09:51 AM
Need for hand-held light meters?	Ash	Pentax DSLR Discussion	14	05-16-2007 05:08 AM

06-23-2009, 03:43 PM	#2
flyer Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ste-Anne des Plaines, Qc., Canada Posts: 2,013	I don't know about the Weston Master, but the Sekonic is a selenium cell lightmeter, and as such, it needs no batteries. You can get more info there:Sekonic Auto-leader L-38 light meter, exposure meter, user manual, instruction manual

06-23-2009, 09:22 PM	#3
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891 Original Poster	Yeah, I read that before... I'm beginning to think they're just dead

06-25-2009, 06:14 AM	#4
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Selenium cells dy over time, so it is very possible, that your meters are dead. The Weston Master was highly regarded and is still sought after, so repair might be an option for you. There is a company in the UK, that does replace Selenium cells: MEGATRON - for measuring light Go to the EuroMaster page and scroll down to the end. There are prices given for repair and cell replacements. Ben

06-25-2009, 12:45 PM	#5
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891 Original Poster	I think I'll pass on that one and just buy another working meter... Replacing the cell just doesn't seem to be worth it, at least for me for now.

06-25-2009, 12:56 PM	#6
Damn Brit Guest	Originally posted by pbo I think I'll pass on that one and just buy another working meter... Replacing the cell just doesn't seem to be worth it, at least for me for now. Light meters aren't cheap you know, it's not going to cost you to see if it can be fixed just an email or two.

07-01-2009, 10:30 PM	#7
pbo Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 891 Original Poster	Ha! I got lucky and the next two turned out to be working! One is Weston xm1 (model 540), other is General Electric (never thought they make lightmeters!) model PR-1. I really like the GE lightmeter, it has a neato double - "trident" match-needle, which switches depending on the position of the wheel (high/low)

07-02-2009, 01:45 AM	#8
Ben_Edict Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: SouthWest "Regio" Photos: Albums Posts: 3,309	Originally posted by pbo Ha! I got lucky and the next two turned out to be working! One is Weston xm1 (model 540), other is General Electric (never thought they make lightmeters!) model PR-1. I really like the GE lightmeter, it has a neato double - "trident" match-needle, which switches depending on the position of the wheel (high/low) A good lightmeter will be very useful for you. So, have fun and put them to good use. Ben

Anthing special I should know about Light Meters?

Win a Pentax Limited Lens: Raffle Now Live!