Recalibrating Meters

[Michael Graves]

Greetings LF'ers. I recently picked up a new (to me, anyway) Soligor spotmeter to replace the one I'd been using for many years. Same make and model, just much cleaner and in better condition. However, there is a discrepancy of less than 1/2 of a stop between the two of them. Is there an adjustment on the meter that will just tune it to read the same, or do I have to go through a new film testing procedure? It seems to be consisitently different across the range.

[John Kasaian]

Usually there is a small screw for that. A Soligorowners manual should have the particulars.

[E. von Hoegh]

John, don't confuse the zero adjustment with a calibration adjustment. They aren't the same, although the zero adjustment could be the culprit.

[ic-racer]

Greetings LF'ers. I recently picked up a new (to me, anyway) Soligor spotmeter to replace the one I'd been using for many years. Same make and model, just much cleaner and in better condition. However, there is a discrepancy of less than 1/2 of a stop between the two of them. Is there an adjustment on the meter that will just tune it to read the same, or do I have to go through a new film testing procedure? It seems to be consisitently different across the range.

If you have both meters in hand, there is no need to re-test the film.

When you set up for your zone 1 image, point both meters at the target. Adjust the ISO/ASA of the new meter to match the reading of the previously tested meter. You are done.

In terms of getting both to read exactly the same, well you know the old saying "man with one watch knows the time, man with two watches does not..."

[Michael Graves]

If you have both meters in hand, there is no need to re-test the film.

When you set up for your zone 1 image, point both meters at the target. Adjust the ISO/ASA of the new meter to match the reading of the previously tested meter. You are done.

In terms of getting both to read exactly the same, well you know the old saying "man with one watch knows the time, man with two watches does not..."

Hmmm. That was too easy. No wonder I didn't think of it.