Small, pocket-sized averaging light meter - suggestions?

[Corran]

I am looking for a small, compact, and lightweight averaging meter for casual 35mm shooting. I just broke my current one that I got for free, a Weston Master II meter. It worked really well too.

I want one of those totally battery-free meters that are simple and easy. I am doing a lot of "fun" shooting that a simple average of the scene is good enough. I am also casually looking for a Pentax Spotmeter for "real" (4x5) shots but I don't need anything that heavy duty for the 35mm stuff.

I see another Weston on ebay for $5, but I figured I'd ask if anyone has any better recommendations. It was a little bulky and heavy for what it did. But if that's the best option, I will just grab that.

Thanks!

[rdenney]

If you don't want batteries in the meter, you are limited to a meter with a photovoltaic cell, such as a selenium cell. These will be very old at this point, and many will be dead. One of the more recent models (from the 1960s) is the Sekonic Model 86, which is one I can think of that is more compact than a Weston Master.

But really, a meter with a Cadmium Sulfide cell (CdS) will not consume power when the cell is covered, and the batteries in mine last a very long time. Just get one that does not require the 1.3V mercury batteries (as does, for example, the Gossen Luna Pro). One cheapie from the 70's that is compact and that works very well is the Vivitar Model 43.

Rick "who has seen lots of selenium meters that make no reading at all" Denney

[Alan Gales]

What about a Gossen Digisix? You can get one brand new at Adorama for $149.89. They do take batteries but are tiny and do incident and reflective metering.

[Corran]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess I'm being a masochist and wanting to have no dependence on batteries or digital things (kind of liberating!!).

I will look at cds meters though. They seem to be kind of expensive for what they are (10-20 year old).

Alan, I would love a Digisix but I don't really want to sink that much money into it. I am hoping to pick up the Pentax Spotmeter for around that much.

[Alan Gales]

Yeah, I don't blame you. I considered getting one for my Stereo Realist. It would be nice but I just bring my Pentax Spotmeter with me.

You should easily be able to get a used Spotmeter V for around that. The digital one gets pricey!

[rdenney]

Here's a Sekonic Model 86 that fully meets your specification for $25. There were several others on ebay.

Ebay ad

Rick "who has no connection to the seller" Denney

[Greg Lockrey]

Yeah, I don't blame you. I considered getting one for my Stereo Realist. It would be nice but I just bring my Pentax Spotmeter with me.

You should easily be able to get a used Spotmeter V for around that. The digital one gets pricey!

I use a Gossen Pilot with mine. They require no batteries and mine has been working well over 20 years.

[Alan Gales]

I use a Gossen Pilot with mine. They require no batteries and mine has been working well over 20 years.

Thanks for the tip, Greg. Cheap and no batteries! I'll be watching Ebay.

Alan

[Joseph Dickerson]

I'm pretty sure that the Gossen Luna Pro has always been a cds meter, hence requires batteries. The Luna Pro SBC uses a silicon blue cel, but still needs a battery and is some bigger than the Luna Pro (or your Weston).

Sekonic still makes the L-398, which is the Norwood reincarnate.

Very reliable, will do incident and reflected, and can be a direct reading meter with the accessory slide kit. Its about the same size as the Weston although they are shaped differently. So you may or may not find it pocketable.

However, like any selenium cell meter it doesn't read low light levels very well. You can read the specs on the Mamiya America web site.

Although it does require a battery, the Gossen Digisix/Digiflash meter(s) are very compact, accurate and read well in reasonably low light. The battery in mine lasts for years.

JD

[Ivan J. Eberle]

I picked up a General Electric DW58 that came bundled with my first Meridian several years ago. Modern selenium-cell meter c.1947 (that is to say, having the modern ASA/ISO settings dial). Battery-free and still works like a charm, accurate for reflected light meter readings from sunrise to sunset. Provides all the accuracy you'll likely need for negative films. Form factor reminiscent of a Remington electric razor:
http://www.jollinger.com/photo/meter...s/ge_dw58.html
(also a fairly extensive list of other vintage meters to peruse in sidebar at the above link)