Minolta Auto Spot 1

[Martin Courtenay-Blake]

I have been fortunate enough to obtain one of these meters in almost new condition, complete with case, n.d filter, spare battery cap and original calibration charts for a rediculously small sum. The only thing missing is a manual. I have worked out what batteries it needs and how it works which appears to be fine.

Does anyone have any hands on experience with this meter and are there any quirks or special tricks I should be aware of. It does appear to be very very sensitive.

I remember lusting after one of these when they were first introduced and my local photographic dealer displayed one alongside an all up Minolta XM with motor set, bulk back and the rest. Now I lust after large wood and metal cameras and classic glass but this meter still has that something special and I hope to put it to good use soon.

Martin

[David G. Gagnon]

Martin,

Have you tried contacting Minolta? I just checked their website for a manual download and your model was not listed. It appears they only have manual downloads for relatively newer products. They had a model "Spotmeter F" download that I looked at. Maybe if you email them they could send you a PDF file of a manual for your model.

Good luck.

DG

[Gem Singer]

Hi Martin,

Enjoy your Minolta meter. If you are interested, K.E.H., in Atlanta,Georgia, has an instruction manual for your meter listed on their website for $9 USD. See: www.keh.com.

[Andy Eads]

The only quirk I know of with Minolta meters is their sensitivity to infra-red light. I got bit once photographing a test target that was visually black but reflected IR very well. The gray and the white patches tracked just fine so it was easy to isolate the problem. For normal photography, it is rarely a problem. I have an Auto Spot II and a Spotmeter F. They read within 1/3 stop of eachother. Good shootin'. Andy

[Forrest Atkins]

Try this http://www.geocities.com/eskoufos/fmm.html

[jbw]

i just bought a leica m-3 (does not have a meter) and i saw a minolta auto spot 1 for sale... do you think this would be good for me to use? or better to look for a newer digital one... the only meter i have ever owned is a weston.... any clues as to what is a good price for the minolta..?