M-meter to replace the Leicameter for M1-M4

[250swb]

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8 hours ago, Old Snapper said:

My review is here.

An excellent review, thanks. I'm tempted by this meter, it looks 'right' on a Leica. But I don't think anybody has commented on if there is any cushioning on the underside, is that hard black plastic or a rubber pad?

[TomB_tx]

5 hours ago, 250swb said:

An excellent review, thanks. I'm tempted by this meter, it looks 'right' on a Leica. But I don't think anybody has commented on if there is any cushioning on the underside, is that hard black plastic or a rubber pad?

Hard plastic. It also lacks the height/level adjusting screws that the MR meters had.

[Sinister]

This acts like a shutter priority setting, am I right? 

[TomB_tx]

48 minutes ago, Sinister said:

This acts like a shutter priority setting, am I right? 

Really can use it either way: Take a reading and it shows you the f-stop to set for the selected shutter speed, or change the shutter speed until your selected f-stop is shown. Either should give equivalent exposure.

[Michael Geschlecht]

14 hours ago, TomB_tx said:

Hard plastic. It also lacks the height/level adjusting screws that the MR meters had.

Hello Everybody,

Hopefully the 5 screw adjustable meter attachment plate will be available soon because with the 5 screw plate a person can:

Adjust the angle so the meter interfaces with the shutter speed dial appropriately.

Place the height of the meter correctly so that it clears the top of the camera & does not scratch it.

Align the meter field with the 90mm frame lines accurately at 1 focusing distance (I chose Infinity.).

Best Regards,

Michael

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Everybody,

It would be nice if someone who already has 1 of these meters would measure the angle of coverage.

Anyone can do it. If someone wants to try I will explain how. 

I did it with an MR meter (You do the same with an MR-4, etc.).

It only takes a few minutes. 

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited August 4 by Michael Geschlecht

[TomB_tx]

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On 8/3/2025 at 9:48 PM, Michael Geschlecht said:

Hello Everybody,

Hopefully the 5 screw adjustable meter attachment plate will be available soon because with the 5 screw plate a person can:

Adjust the angle so the meter interfaces with the shutter speed dial appropriately.

Place the height of the meter correctly so that it clears the top of the camera & does not scratch it.

Align the meter field with the 90mm frame lines accurately at 1 focusing distance (I chose Infinity.).

Best Regards,

Michael

Michael has a good point about the adjustability for individual cameras as tolerances and alignment can vary. I found that my KEKS M Meter would mount and work fine on my M2 & M3, but would not mount on my 1968 M4, as even when the speed dial was raised fully, the center hub would hit the top of the camera speed dial just enough that it wouldn't clear. if I loosened the mounting screws a bit it would mount fine (but wobble with the loose screws.

So I removed the "5 screw" mounting shoe form a defunct MR meter and tried to mount it on the KEKS, as they "look" the same. No go - the mounting hole pattern is a bit different.

Instead I fitted a paper shim between the KEKS mounting shoe and the KEKS body, and with that very slight spacer it now fits my M4 fine.

Once I measure the thread size of the "leveling screws" on the old MR meter and make a holding fixture for my mill I plan to drill and tap the KEKS mounting shoe to add the leveling screws from the MR meter. If that works as it should I'll post specs and drawing so others can do the modification - or maybe KEKS will consider adding this feature to the meter.

[Michael Geschlecht]

Hello Tom,

And, don't forget to measure the angle of coverage of the new meter & to align the meter with the appropriate frame lines at 1 focusing distance.

I use Infinity for my alignment point so that after first metering more accurately with the lens focused at Infinity: I then refocus appropriately for the subject on the same scene & take photos.

When using an MR or MR-4 meter use the 90mm frame lines as the meter field. When using the M or MC meters use the 50mm frame lines as the meter field.

Regardless of the focal length of the lens in use. And regardless of whether the lens does, or does not, have "goggles". With the exception of close-up "goggles" which should be removed before metering.

Best Regards,

Michael

Edited August 7 by Michael Geschlecht

[hans_kohler]

I recently purchased the new KEKS M-Meter and wanted to share my experience regarding its battery performance, since this aspect is not clearly communicated in the official product information.

According to the KEKS website and product manual, the M-Meter comes with a rechargeable 240 mAh battery that provides “>10 hours continuous use” after a full charge. This matches what some reviews have reported – for example, Digital Camera World mentioned that after shooting 12 rolls of film over two weeks, around 30% battery was still left.

However, in my own use I noticed something different: even when the M-Meter is switched off and left unused, the battery drains by more than 50% within a few days. Within one to two weeks of not using it, the battery is completely empty.

I contacted KEKS support and here is their reply (quoted):

> “Regarding the battery drainage issue you've experienced with your KEKS M-Meter, we can confirm that this behavior is completely normal. The M-Meter does draw a small amount of power even when it is not actively in use, which is why the battery will gradually deplete over time. It is indeed normal for the meter to fully drain within a couple of weeks if left unused. If you leave the screen on, it will last for over 12 hours.”

So, while the official specifications are technically correct (>10 hours of continuous use), what is not disclosed is that the device constantly consumes power, even when not in use. This means you cannot leave it sitting in your bag for a couple of weeks and expect it to still have charge.

Personally, I find this disappointing. In my opinion, a well-designed light meter should consume zero power in the “off” state. At the very least, the manufacturer should clearly state this limitation in the product documentation so users can plan accordingly.

In practice, the solution is to keep the M-Meter charged regularly or carry a power bank when shooting. But for potential buyers: be aware that the battery will not hold charge for long if the device is left unused.

[colonel]

I have a AstaHori in silver for a M4. I think its great

Astrhori AH-M1 Shoe Mount Light Meter Review - 35mmc

 

[TomB_tx]

I noticed the same drain on the KEKS M meter. Agree they should have added a full power off switch to disconnect the battery.

[Smudgerer]

Well, I received my KEKS M meter about a week ago after some further delays in shipping because they found an issue with the Black Paint model that they wanted to fix, but boy it has been worth the long wait since my original order way back in March, this meter is truly the Dog's Bollocks'..........I say that being the not so proud owner of a bunch of Leica MR meters, lovely pieces of design and work that they are, or may have been, but now all of my four M meters either suffer from electro-mechanical faults or are just dead dozing in the Leica Bits drawer here at home.

Being a new meter, with new innards, and one that actually works too KEK'S M meter is another kettle of fish entirely, but also very familiar at the same time. It sits on and couples with my Black Paint M2 perfectly and the readings match all of my numerous working meter's of varying makes, ( another camera gathering affliction that I have yet to shake off ), perfectly. A couple of developed rolls confirm that too, no "misses" at all in a mess of lighting conditions, very impressive.

The Black Paint model, being of brass under the surface, is solidly heavy, nice but I feel I should have bought the regular black finish one that's on an aluminum shell and maybe I will do so later for another film M on which it would work nicely too.

There's still a wait for these meters I believe but for anyone who wants a good meter for their M2-M4's this is the best solution I have found for many years and at last I can stop the mainly fruitless search on Ebay or where-ever else for a good working Leica MR meter. If you need a meter for your early M's and if you are in the same place as I was with trying to find a working reliable MR meter, get the KEKS instead it's a lovely piece of work and compared to the prices of the MR meters that still are a crap shoot as to whether they will still function properly after you pay anything from / to €200-400 for one the +/- €125 of the KEKS M is nothing short of a bargain. Well done them.

*** Oh yes, for the poster who was asking for someone to test the "angle of view" of the light sensor, just email KEKS, a much simpler solution rather than any hit or miss guesses on our parts here, but as said mine works very well when using my preferred 35mm FL, and it also works well with 24/28/50 FL's too..

 

[TomB_tx]

The only real negative I've found on my 2 KEKS M meters it the battery drain - or lack of a true OFF setting to isolate the battery. If you don't use it for a week: it's dead until you recharge it. Compared to my MR4 meter that has been sitting for about a year and is immediately usable. The meter is for use on mechanical cameras that have no batteries and are always ready to use. The designers have likely always used digital cameras where checking and charging batteries before use it normal. If only they had added a cheap on/off switch to disconnect the battery.

However I really appreciate that the KEKS doesn't need to change ranges for outdoor/indoor light levels. The range switch on the MR/MR4 can be vary hard to turn.

 

Edited August 31 by TomB_tx

[plaidshirts]

On 8/26/2025 at 2:48 AM, hans_kohler said:

I recently purchased the new KEKS M-Meter and wanted to share my experience regarding its battery performance, since this aspect is not clearly communicated in the official product information.

According to the KEKS website and product manual, the M-Meter comes with a rechargeable 240 mAh battery that provides “>10 hours continuous use” after a full charge. This matches what some reviews have reported – for example, Digital Camera World mentioned that after shooting 12 rolls of film over two weeks, around 30% battery was still left.

However, in my own use I noticed something different: even when the M-Meter is switched off and left unused, the battery drains by more than 50% within a few days. Within one to two weeks of not using it, the battery is completely empty.

I contacted KEKS support and here is their reply (quoted):

> “Regarding the battery drainage issue you've experienced with your KEKS M-Meter, we can confirm that this behavior is completely normal. The M-Meter does draw a small amount of power even when it is not actively in use, which is why the battery will gradually deplete over time. It is indeed normal for the meter to fully drain within a couple of weeks if left unused. If you leave the screen on, it will last for over 12 hours.”

So, while the official specifications are technically correct (>10 hours of continuous use), what is not disclosed is that the device constantly consumes power, even when not in use. This means you cannot leave it sitting in your bag for a couple of weeks and expect it to still have charge.

Personally, I find this disappointing. In my opinion, a well-designed light meter should consume zero power in the “off” state. At the very least, the manufacturer should clearly state this limitation in the product documentation so users can plan accordingly.

In practice, the solution is to keep the M-Meter charged regularly or carry a power bank when shooting. But for potential buyers: be aware that the battery will not hold charge for long if the device is left unused.

I came to post the same thing, lol. The battery drains from 100% to zero after a week of standby. This is a huge flaw and a deal breaker - wish I had known before purchasing...

[IkarusJohn]

Just picked up my black paint version today.  Fiddly getting the first mount, but it is a lovely thing.

Also, thank you @hans_kohler and @TomB_tx for the heads up about battery drainage.  My DigiSix II meter also lacks an off button.  Easily managed  

 

 

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[Martin B]

Mine in silver chrome on my M3 DS. Wish there was a menu option to remove the row with the EV display which I find useless. Otherwise really nice even some options to navigate through take some time to get used to.

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Edited September 29 by Martin B

[Martin B]

On 8/26/2025 at 8:57 AM, TomB_tx said:

I noticed the same drain on the KEKS M meter. Agree they should have added a full power off switch to disconnect the battery.

Observed the same - after 4 weeks not using the meter, the battery was fully drained and needed full recharging. Fortunately the saved menu options remained stored even the battery was drained. 

[jakontil]

KEKS seems aware of the issues with battery discharging non stop… but their solution might not please everyone.. they are working on a new pcb board which will be home kit repair

[plaidshirts]

On 9/30/2025 at 2:42 AM, jakontil said:

KEKS seems aware of the issues with battery discharging non stop… but their solution might not please everyone.. they are working on a new pcb board which will be home kit repair

At least they're admitting that it's a problem even though they wrote that this was "completely normal for the battery to drain".

The bigger problem was that the readings were constistently inconsistent. I had to press the metering button 2-3 times to make sure as 1st attempts were wildly incorrect even to my naked eyes. 

I've sold it and will stick with my trusty incident meter.

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Hallo,

Look here: Leica M

[trisberg]

My order had not shipped yet, so I emailed them and asked them to wait until a meter with the fix was available. They estimated another 1-2 weeks.

-Thomas