andym911 Posted June 23, 2008 Share #1  Posted June 23, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Dear all,  Since my recent IIf purchase I got out my old but beautiful Euro-Master II light meter and used it for the first time in several years.I roughly calibrated it using my CL meter as a benchmark and the exposure readings I am getting are very accurate.  My question is, is there a 'lifetime' for these meters or will they essentially just keep working as long as they remain undamaged? This feels like a stupid question as I write it:( but I would just like to know...no big deal, just curiosity.  thanks  andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted June 23, 2008 Posted June 23, 2008 Hi andym911, Take a look here A light meter question. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
gyoung Posted June 23, 2008 Share #2  Posted June 23, 2008 Dear all, Since my recent IIf purchase I got out my old but beautiful Euro-Master II light meter and used it for the first time in several years.I roughly calibrated it using my CL meter as a benchmark and the exposure readings I am getting are very accurate.  My question is, is there a 'lifetime' for these meters or will they essentially just keep working as long as they remain undamaged? This feels like a stupid question as I write it:( but I would just like to know...no big deal, just curiosity.  thanks  andy  I have its predecessor, a Weston Master IV which has given good service since 1962!  It has however had several new movements and cells in that time, they do have a finite life.  Gerry Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
luigi bertolotti Posted June 23, 2008 Share #3 Â Posted June 23, 2008 For what I know (and for my experience too) there is a difference between "unpowered - no battery" meters (the old classical selenium lightemeters) and "powered - battery" meters (CdS and Silicon) : the selenium meters, based on the principle of photoelectric effect, do suffer time, but in terms of years: I have a Selenium Gossen Sixtino which is around 22 years old: still perfect; so is also my CdS Gossen Lunasix which maybe is some year older. On the contrary, I have an older again Selenium from Metrawatt (Voigtlander - branded, about 40 years old, shoe-mountable) which, some years ago started to die slowly... in 5-6 months it became less and less sensible to light. The powered meters, based on photoresistance effect, in my opinion can be "human-lifetime" , provided that have a good circuitry (to say, a switching system that powers the photoresistor only and strictly only during measurements... as I said, my Lunasix 3 is very very old... but I think that in 25 years or so its photoresistence was under Ampere flow for a effective total of.... 15 - 20 hours ?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
poynterama Posted June 24, 2008 Share #4 Â Posted June 24, 2008 Our Weston Master IV is still going strong and is still on its original cell !! I took it in for a check up a few weeks ago and it didn't even need recalibrating Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share #5  Posted June 24, 2008 Thanks everyone for the input...all is clear. I do appreciate the info you share.  regards  andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest m6harry Posted June 24, 2008 Share #6  Posted June 24, 2008 Hi Andy,  here you will still get support for Weston light meters:  MEGATRON - for measuring light  regards, Harald Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted June 24, 2008 Author Share #7 Â Posted June 24, 2008 Advertisement (gone after registration) Harald, Â thanks a lot.... Â andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubenkok Posted June 25, 2008 Share #8  Posted June 25, 2008 Hi Andy, Maby this is some help? Weston Master II Universal Exposure Meter Instruction Manual regards Ruben Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/56151-a-light-meter-question/?do=findComment&comment=589692'>More sharing options...
Mountaineer-American Posted June 25, 2008 Share #9 Â Posted June 25, 2008 I still use my little Gossen Pilot. It is genuine "Made in West Germany" quality. Uses no batteries. Bought it about 1965. It has not been abused & still works well under certain circumstances. Occasionally I check it against a gray card & compare it with my M6 meter. Also I check both Gossen & M6 against other makes. The little Pilot is spot on during any ordinary daylight setting. When the light fades after sunset, or indoors, it no longer reads accurately & I don't rely on it. Don't drop them, don't store in exteme heat or cold. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted June 29, 2008 Share #10  Posted June 29, 2008 I recall reading somewhere that selenium meters should be stored with the cell exposed to light and that if left for long periods in darkness the efficiency of the cell deteriorates ... but this advice (I forget exactly where I read it) is contrary to that in the instructions.  If a selenium meter is used regularly then the cell might benefit from same and not get "tired" ??  Cheers  dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianv Posted June 29, 2008 Share #11 Â Posted June 29, 2008 I have a Weston Master that was found in its case and box. It looks to be from the early 1940s. It is still accurate. I also have a Weston Master II found in the case that is also accurate. A lot has to do with how it was stored and how much it was used. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest flatfour Posted June 30, 2008 Share #12  Posted June 30, 2008 Selenium cells last a very long time. I still use my 1939 Sixtus. I have only had to adjust it once since I acquired it in 1981. Curiously enough I have never seen another with LEICA engraved on the face. It's a great bonus to be battery free using a Leica III and the Sixtus. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/56151-a-light-meter-question/?do=findComment&comment=592965'>More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.