Megatron - Closed Down

[MPerson]

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For those who know and have used Megatron for servicing their Weston Master's, they are no more. The Directors decided to retire from the business - sad news indeed.

 

I have been talking to Paul Bateson who owns OTC. He took over all the Megatron operations except the Weston Master stuff. Apparently he has had quite a few phone calls asking if he will be looking after Westons but he is not going to.

 

However he did mention there was a chap down in Poole who did work on Westons and is going to get back to me.

 

Looks like it is now down John Desq in Holland or George Milton's Quality Light Metric Company in Los Angeles for repairs/servicing.

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[Xmas]

Hi Andy

 

Thanks real useful post.

 

Normally I buy another cause 2nd hand they cost less than the 2 way insured postage including packing and getting to post office - twice. - note I normally use a Weston master II or III.

 

If you get other names/addresses that would be nice I might instead send a big package off.

 

Noel

[peter_n]

Oh no! This is bad news. I'm lucky enough to have a Megatron Euro-Master II as well as a Weston Master V but it's very sad to read this. So I guess manufacturing of the Euro-Master II is stopped?

[Tietje]

After weeks of deciding whether I should have my Weston V repaired having dropped it (still works but the glass is broken) I rang up Megatron, last week, found the number had been disconnected and I then followed the link to OTC. Spoke to the guy who gave me the same story. I guess I was one of Paul Bateson's phone calls.

 

Really like to hear from the guy from Poole

[MPerson]

Well I heard back from Paul this morning - not good news:

 

"Hi Andy

 

No joy I’m afraid. He wasn’t on the south coast after all – but in Colchester. I got the impression he might have some cells but it transpired he had bought a couple in the past to repair his own meter.

 

So only current options are George in California or John D Esq.

 

I have started trawling the internet and there are instruments out there still using selenium photocells – but no idea where they are getting them from – though I suspect there may be a company out in India making them. If I succeed in tracking anyone down then they will no doubt need an old cell to copy!"

 

So looks like we are down to two sources who know and understand these meters. I will probably go with George in the US as he has been repairing/servicing for many years and looks after a lot of the studio's gear and the Weston is popular with Cinematographers still.

 

George Milton

Quality Light Metric Co

7095 Hollywood Blvd Ste 550

Los Angeles

California 90028

USA

 

(323) 467-2265

 

georgepmilton@worldnet.att.net (no web site)

 

 

or John in Holland.

 

At least once they have a new cell they are good for another 25 years or so!

[Xmas]

Hi Andy

 

Megatron will probably have bought in their photo cells, and we might be able to find out their suppliers, but the £ may be very dependent on order numbers. e.g. Megatron could have bought by hundred off.

 

However just as critical is meter movements Megatron would have new manufactured movements for their new manufactured meters but I think they would have been stuck for older meters if the galvo was damaged, donno for sure.

 

I've got a Weston II I can repair myself, the bezel is merely detached, but it takes a long time for me. I've also got a few I bought in a fair for parts...

 

Noel

[MPerson]

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Noel - Megatron made the cells themselves. Stems from when they took over production of the Weston back in 1984-1985. They made three types of the cells.

 

I am not sure but think John in Holland got his supplies from them as he also sold their Euromaster II.

 

Fortunately, I have had two of mine replaced and serviced in the last two years but I am a sucker for them.

[Xmas]

Hi Andy

 

I've three that still are within 1/3 of a stop of one another, one is a II (from '47 I think), three modern ones that are non linear, one with detached bezel and two for parts.

 

I use the 'zone' calculator cause I don't do sums in my head, quickly.

 

I did not need Megatron to stop.

 

Noel

[Tietje]

I have 3 Masters. A Master V which I bought new from Argos in 1974. This was subsequently dropped, ceased to function then came back to life. A Master II which I bought to replace the Master V and a Master III which I bought to replace the Master II, as a lot of the calibrations had worn off. Like Xmas's Weston's all within a 1/3 stop of each other. Not only that, within a 1/3 of a stop of a Panasonic G1. I also had a Leicameter MR (I think) which lasted about 6 months and packed in.

 

A shame that Megatron have called it a day