Older Soligor Spot Meter - Any Good

[David Robson]

Hi everyone - just registered to LFPF and this is my first post! I saw an older Soligor Spot Meter (called a Spot Sensor). Look to be in good condition - have to purchase batteries for it (mercury type no longer available). I heard a hearing aid battery may work. Any comments on the meter or batteries would be much appreciated.
David

[Graham Patterson]

I have one and use MR9 battery adapters for 389 to replace the PX625 mercury ones it was designed to take. I just happened to have the MR9 items around - they were pricey when I got them for my OM1s, and a set for this meter might double it's resale value!

Otherwise it is a reasonable analog spot meter. Not the easiest to hold, and being metal it is heavier than my Pentax analog. Mine is within 1/3 of a stop of the Pentax, but you won't know how yours works until you get the right power sorted out.

The battery check button (next to the trigger) should put the needle in the red zone. Set your desired film speed on the ring around the lens, and manually transfer the spot reading to the EV ring to get your exposure.

[DennisD]

I owned one many moons ago.
Cumbersome to use (heavy) and not always accurate as needed.
Eventually, the meter activation switch died.
Seriously, I'd wait for something better to come up.

[Tim Meisburger]

I had one of the later ones and thought it fine. Not familiar with this one.

[mdarnton]

I bought one new in whenever. It worked fine for me until I gave it away around 1985. The construction is cheesy, like some kind of 1950 Japanese military hardware, but I never had a problem with accuracy. It was just too heavy to carry around much.

[Chuck Pere]

Mine had a lot of flare. I replaced it with a Pentax Spotmeter V and testing in backlit conditions showed the Pentax much better. No more underexposure when metering shadows next to bright areas. The Pentax also can use current batteries. If you buy this one make sure you use or make a long lens hood to help with flare.

[Alan Gales]

I have no experience with the Soligors but the Pentax Spotmeter V's are cheap now. The later Pentax digitals are of course more expensive but seem to have come down a little on the used market as well.

[David Robson]

Thanks everyone for the assistance!