What is the Zone VI modified pentax spotmeter?

[Bruce Barlow]

It doesn't really have to be calibrated to a known light source.

As long as you don't care for "absolute" accuracy, you could just slap a correctoing filter pack on the meter, and then do a film test with that meter making the expsoure determination, and that would give you an EI that would work for that meter and film. Just don't expect it to be very close to box speeds depending on how much filtration you've added.

My understanding, having watched Richard do it many times, is that he adjusts high, medium and low response to ensure linearity. The meter has different adjustments for each. For that, he uses a known, calibrated light source. After that, yes, you should do an EI test for your film.

I have now exceeded everything I know on the subject.

[Kirk Keyes]

Kirk,

Yes. I'll have to remove some information that isn't mine to give away but otherwise there should be no problem.

Best,
Helen

Thanks, Helen!

Kirk

[Kiron Kid]

What's the modification here? These things go for a small fortune on ebay, and the only noticable thing is the little zone system paper strip that's always taped to the barrel. Anybody know what this modification is?

My Soligor (Zone VI modified) is extremely accurate.

Kiron Kid

[Peter De Smidt]

Recently, I tested a Hoya RM72 infrared filter for use as a very strong neutral density/red filter with regular bw film. Metering through the filter with a ZVI modified PDM gave a result 5 stops lower than the regular PDM. So one thing the ZVI meter has is a strong IR blocking filter.

[Turner Reich]

My Soligor (Zone VI modified) is extremely accurate.

So is mine, purchased directly from Fred Picker, Putney Vermont, it has never failed to give the correct reading regardless of the color of the subject. Reads through filters also.

[ljsegil]

My meters, modified or not and I do use both types, don't fail me. I do. Ultimately I must use their provided information appropriately, and that ability is what separates a good photographer who works with the scene in front of him, and the information available to him, from a gearhead novice (like me). All the precision data in the world, modified or otherwise, won't help my images if I cannot learn to see. I find that much harder than examining a metered reading, and my learning curve does reflect that final truth. I don't believe there is a device made that will substitute for the growth that only experience provides, and for which I need to continue to strive (Zone X modified self, maybe? Don't think it will market well, and don't yet know all the necessary ingredients either).
Larry

[William McEwen]

Here is a page devoted to the meter, by someone who tested it:
http://www.butzi.net/articles/zone%20VI%20reprise.htm

(Since I'm relatively new to the forum, I haven't seen this discussed, although my guess is it has already been covered....)