Light meters for the M3

[jimleicam3]

My Dad gave me his M3 from the mid 1960's, and the photocell light meter that fits in the hot shoe no longer works. I am looking to replace it with another hot shoe mount light meter. I already use a Seekonic 358L, but one of the main reasons I like shooting my Leica is because it is small and handy. Thanks, Jim

[gshepherd]

I too have taken on the care and feeding of my grandfather's M3 and lens kit (which now also get used on an M8). The add-on light meter barely works and is prone to scratching the top of the camera. I started using a Sekonic, but it stopped working reliably after a drop on the living room floor. So, now I try to meter by eye, and after about 20 rolls I've become quite good at it. Here's the approach I use now:

Ultimate Exposure Computer

I just remember "sunny 16" and work from there. I still use this technique on the M8, using it's built in meter primarily to confirm I'm within reason.

--
Geoff

[roguewave]

Jim, I have 2 Leica Meter MR units I have used with my M3. They work fine. The tradeoff is weight and bulk. I always carry a Gossen Digisix in my pocket to keep me ready and to calibrate my sense of the light gradient between the highlights and the neutral or center weighted reading you would get with TTL. Both systems provide usuable solutions. I've come to rely on the Digisix as it is a constant companion.

[jimleicam3]

Does the Gossen fit into the hot shoe? Thanks

[k_g_wolf]

>> Jim


Have a look also at the VC- Meter as a substitute for the LEICAmeter. It´s made by Cosina/ Voigtländer and fits into the acc.-shoe of the LEICA.

The drawback is, the VC-meter is not coupled to the speedwheel of the camera. Mine has a drawback which leads me to grab to the LEICAmeter though: the setting of the ISO- dial is easily changed by accident. You have to constantly check the bl... thing otherwise your metering is off.

The LEICAmeter MR 4, made by METRAWATT and distributed by LEITZ in the old days, is sometimes available s/h. It should still work alright if you arrange for a proper PX 625- battery substitute.

Your´s seems to be the Siliciumcell- meter, the first version, these old cells die over the years and they are almost impossible to repair. The CDS-cell of an MR4 is more durable and should still work.

The GOSSEN Digisix is an alternative, it´s tiny but I do not know if it can be attached to the acc.-shoe ...



Best

[roguewave]

Originally Posted by k_g_wolf

>> Jim


Have a look also at the VC- Meter as a substitute for the LEICAmeter. It´s made by Cosina/ Voigtländer and fits into the acc.-shoe of the LEICA.

The drawback is, the VC-meter is not coupled to the speedwheel of the camera. Mine has a drawback which leads me to grab to the LEICAmeter though: the setting of the ISO- dial is easily changed by accident. You have to constantly check the bl... thing otherwise your metering is off.

The LEICAmeter MR 4, made by METRAWATT and distributed by LEITZ in the old days, is sometimes available s/h. It should still work alright if you arrange for a proper PX 625- battery substitute.

Your´s seems to be the Siliciumcell- meter, the first version, these old cells die over the years and they are almost impossible to repair. The CDS-cell of an MR4 is more durable and should still work.

The GOSSEN Digisix is an alternative, it´s tiny but I do not know if it can be attached to the acc.-shoe ...



Best

Yes, there is an adapter for it, but it makes little sense. Just keep the Digisix in your pocket, take the metering and return to pocket. I think it's best to keep the M3 as small & light as possible. In fact, I'm going t sell my two METRAWATT MR 4 Leica meters because I don't use the anyone. They are cute and look cool, but one gets past that pretty quickly. The Digisix is a very small form factor, light and has a tether so it's easier just to pull it out and meter and then devote yor awareness to the capture.

[NZDavid]

Sekonic 308B is very small and precise.

[luigi bertolotti]

Originally Posted by jimleicam3

My Dad gave me his M3 from the mid 1960's, and the photocell light meter that fits in the hot shoe no longer works. I am looking to replace it with another hot shoe mount light meter. I already use a Seekonic 358L, but one of the main reasons I like shooting my Leica is because it is small and handy. Thanks, Jim

Hot shoe meters are an advantage only in theory: in practice, not having it on the camera (be it the old Leicameter or the new Cosina/Voigt, or others like an old Gossen I had years ago) results in more light equip., no scratches on top, no problems with cases ... and the quickness of operation isn't dissimilar from a standard handeld, which has also the advantage to be easily "moved around" to evaluate different light zones, and also to be used in incident mode. The coupling to times knob of the Leicameters is also a not so significant advantage : when one decides to USE a lightmeter , must be conscious that using it needs anyway a certain time and attention, and a (small) device to be carried with you : having used them for >20 years, I'm convinced that a compact external, carried in your pocket and with a simple cord attached to your belt is the best solution; good alternative, neck cord and shirt top pocket...

[bill]

I do one of three things, dependent on circumstances.

1. Use a small digicam (FX01) as a meter
2. Use a Digisix
3. Use Sunny-16

I tend to the latter most of the time, using 1. or 2. to "calibrate" my judgement when I start shooting, or when conditions change markedly.

I would also advocate a handheld meter like the Digisix for the ability to take incident and ambient readings - once you are used to it, it is the way to go.

Hope this helps,

Regards,

Bill

[Posto 6]

IF YOU LOOK ON EBAY, UNDER SELLER LEICAPARTS, THEY CURRENTLY HAVE TWO NEW UNUSED METERS FOR SALE. Otherwise suggest DAG, Sherry Krauter, or in the UK, CRR Luton, who can all restore your Leicameter at reasonable cost.

[rob_x2004]

I would give up on the hot shoe meter. Meter by eye but keep a Sekonic 308s or something similar at hand and flick it around so you have a pretty damed good idea what the lighting situation is.

[desert]

Originally Posted by luigi bertolotti

Hot shoe meters are an advantage only in theory: in practice, not having it on the camera (be it the old Leicameter or the new Cosina/Voigt, or others like an old Gossen I had years ago) results in more light equip., no scratches on top, no problems with cases ... and the quickness of operation isn't dissimilar from a standard handeld, which has also the advantage to be easily "moved around" to evaluate different light zones, and also to be used in incident mode. The coupling to times knob of the Leicameters is also a not so significant advantage : when one decides to USE a lightmeter , must be conscious that using it needs anyway a certain time and attention, and a (small) device to be carried with you : having used them for >20 years, I'm convinced that a compact external, carried in your pocket and with a simple cord attached to your belt is the best solution; good alternative, neck cord and shirt top pocket...

The Digisix fits my shoe on my M4, but as I using my left eye for viewing it pokes somewhat into this eye, so I tend to put in in my shirt pocket.
It is a handy and good meter. I average in general between direct and incident metering results.

[R.Morrison]

I use a Leica MR meter. It is quite acurrate. I like the idea of metering looking down at my camera instead of raising it to my eye. This is particularly beneficial in street-shooting situations when conspicuousness is not desireable.

Yours,
R. Morrison, M4-P, etc.