Three Cheers For Quality Light-Metric!

[Al Kaplan]

Less than two weeks ago one of my two Weston Master V meters died and I was getting ready to send it off to Quality Light-Metric for repair, no big rush because I still had the other one. Of course that's when I dropped the other one on the tile floor, so they both got to go to Hollywood via Priority Mail. A couple of days later George called and I assured him that the one he'd rebuilt a couple of years ago (it still had his yellow repair sticker on it) was the one I'd dropped and I wasn't trying to get a free repair. We talked money and the time frame for return. I told him that no, he didn't have to send one back as quickly as possible. He could take his time and return them together.

Today the UPS guy came. Both meters look about as much like new as possible, everything works, and if there's a difference between the readings of the two meters it's too small to detect. Now that I have a working accurate meter it's time to do some serious shooting with my supply of Double-X 5222. Thanks, George!

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

That's some service - these days, Al....most places would'nt know what the hell it was, - or think it was a volt meter! 😱

 

[rickp]

i couldn't agree more. QLM completely rebuilt (= cleaned, re-soldered shaky connections, calibrated, added new battery, etc, etc) and returned my Leicameter MR to me very quickly. Communications by email were quick and easy, full of good advice.

***** for George and QLM

greetings from hamburg

rick

 

[akalai]

Quality Light Metric, and George in particular, are FANTASTIC!

By far the easiest and most professional camera related tech I have had the pleasure to deal with. Have had several Westons rebuilt, had friends send both cine and stills related meters to him all with great results and hope to soon send him my Sekonic digitals for calibration.

Al, could you please add QLM/George's contact details? It's now been just on two years since I have sent something to him and would like to make sure i have the right address. Cheers!

 

[Al Kaplan]

7095 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028

323-467-2265

Include your phone number and return street address. He ships UPS. He'll call you, tell you what needs to be done, what it will cost, when it will be ready, and ask for your VISA account number.

 

[nikon_sam]

Include your phone number and return street address. He ships UPS. He'll call you, tell you what needs to be done, what it will cost, when it will be ready, and ask for your VISA account number.

That's the info I was going to ask for but was a bit shy about it...

I have a near new Weston Master II that I picked up about a year ago...It was working just fine then but now it doesn't and the needle is jumpy...
Getting this back up and running is my short term goal this year, learning the best way to use it is my long term goal...

If one happens to own one of these you know just how beautiful they are...

I also have a Gossen Pilot and a Sekonic L-8 that I should send in too...😎

 

[Al Kaplan]

I can remember when a brand new Master V was about $30 list. Now it cost more than that to fix! Last time I got George to fix it he also sold me an Invercone incident light adapter for it. I guess he still sells them.

 

[dexdog]

QLM are the best. I had them overhaul a Weston Ranger a couple of years ago- fast turnaround and good folks to deal with. George gave me a call to let me know the repair was going to be $6 more than the original estimate. Even provided new silver cells after he converted the meter from the original mercury battery.

 

[nikon_sam]

Al,

Do you find the Invercone a worth while investment...in other words do you use it much???

I just want my meter back up and running...when it did meter it was spot on with my Gossen Luna Pro sbc...

Bonus on the Master II...IT'S GORGEOUS!!! I want people to see me using this work of art...yeah, you can call me shallow on this one...🙄

 

[jmcd]

I have a II, IV, and V all refurbished by QLM.

The meters are a pleasure, and working with QLM is, too. Their work is limited to meters that are separate from cameras.

From their invoice checklist:

Calibration
Balance
Jewels
Switch
Hairspring
Front Glass
Circuit Print
Pointer
Mechanism
Coil
Cell
Battery
Sphere
Calculator
Misc.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I most always meter the incident light. I rarely use reflected readings, so the invercone stays on the meter. Years ago when I was using a Ranger 9 I finally just glued the little incident dome to the meter because I lost too many...LOL. At least the invercone is big enough to see if you drop it and it doesn't roll.

 

[Gary E]

Used QLM back in 2000/2001 to fix my Weston Master IV, and it still works today. It is my carry everywhere / every time meter. I am ok with the reflected readings but prefer the incident readings. The only thing is the invercone always seems to slip off the meter when in the bag. 🙁

 

[Al Kaplan]

Put a rubberband around it. A 1/4 inch wide rubber band works great but doesn't cover enough of the Invercone to change the reading enough that you'd notice.

 

[akalai]

Al, thank you for the address confirmation.

Should also point out that George is great to deal with when it comes to shipping outside of the US, he is just the person you want to deal with when you are half a world away!

 

[eli griggs]

QLM revived both my Weston Vs at the same time, a while back, and I'm still very pleased with the function of both meters. Turn around time was also quite fast and whenever the subject comes up, I'm more than happy to chime in with another, 'me too...!'.

Cheers

 

[maddoc]

I can remember when a brand new Master V was about $30 list. Now it cost more than that to fix! Last time I got George to fix it he also sold me an Invercone incident light adapter for it. I guess he still sells them.

Thanks for this info !! 🙂 The cell of my Weston is nearly dead and I want to have it repaired and also need this invercone.

Cheers,

Gabor

 

[nikon_sam]

A tad bit closer...

A tad bit closer...

Al, thank you for the address confirmation.

Should also point out that George is great to deal with when it comes to shipping outside of the US, he is just the person you want to deal with when you are half a world away!

Looking at that address I would have to say that I'm within 50 miles of their shop...I'll probably mail it in to them anyway...😉

 

[nikon_sam]

Ignore my last post^^^^^
I was in the neighborhood and I had the two meters for QLM to repair so I dropped them off myself...
Can't wait to get the Master II back and in good working order...

George's address is actually a UPS store...I went in and the lady working the counter said..."lightmeters???..." I guess she's seen a few before and when she said that I knew I was in the right place...

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Some time ago, I bought an MR4 meter on impulse, sent it to George and got it back within ten days, in perfect shape. I think he guarantees his repairs for three months. Well, six months later, it started acting weird. I called George to let him know I was going to send it back to him... and he insisted on fixing it as part of his warranty. I was surprised, and since he insisted, who am I to disagree? He repaired it and I never had a problem again. In fact, I only paid the shipping back and forth.

I've sent him another MR4 ever since. It's never failed. And he's very patient on the phone. I'm glad Al posted his information here, because it's very difficult to come by otherwise. I wish he had a website, but I guess he'll go on word-of-mouth forever.

 

[Al Kaplan]

I've been carrying my Weston Master V in a little two tone grey lightly padded cordura belt bouch. It just barely holds the meter with the Invercone in place, has a slightly curved front flap that zips from both sides via two slider thingies, and also has a metal ring on each side if you want to put a strap on it. The label says DELSY gopix 5.

I have no idea where to find one or how much money. Mine came with a box of other assorted crap at a yard sale, but looked like new.