FSU lightmeter: which one??

[Joao]

Hello
I have noticed that my faithful Leningrad-4 lightmeter is dying. Before I decide how to replace it, I would like to read some opinions/advice from owners and users of other FSU lightmeters (selenium or battery powered). Thanks in advance
Joao

 

[ZeMane]

Olá Joao,

I've been using lately a Sverdlovsk-4 FSU lightmeter. Quite accurate, (almost) pocketable and truly cheap. It's battery powered and also includes an AA battery adaptor (but this makes increase its size a lot!!).
I decided to got it after reading the article on Alfred's Camera Page. Try to search further info googling and also on EvilBay.

Abraçao/Regards

 

[indridi]

Well, my first and only lightmeter is a Sverdlovsk-4, without the extra battery pack. I would say it depends on your pockets size if it's pocketable or not, I myself carry it in my pocket all the time.
The original russian battery isn't available anymore, but it's no problem using some other batteries instead, I use one V76PX and one CR-1/3N taped together. That gives approximately the correct voltage, but is a little bit too short, which I fix using four 1cent (euro) coins at the bottom. The built-in voltage self-check delivers accurate results, thus seems to be ok with this.

Since I don't have much experience with lightmeters, and don't shoot any slides, I can't tell about the accuracy, but my photos seem to come out properly exposed if metered with the sverdlovsk. It does give (supposedly correct) reading in quite dark situations (iso 400, f/1.5, 1/25s), where the selenium meter on my fed 5 gives no reading at all.

greetings
Indriði

 

[oscroft]

I use a Leningrad-8 and I'm quite happy with it - I love the idea of not relying on batteries. I have only used it for b&w, but I have compared it with the meter in my Olympus OM2 and it does seem to be accurate. The downside is that it's a bit of a hit and miss affair getting a good one - a lot of the old selenium meters have faded over the years and aren't accurate any more.

 

[darkkavenger]

Hello, I enjoy very much my Sverdlovsk-4, a reliable and cheap cDS lightmeter. It is small and pretty useful (and easy to use!). Since I got it, my photos (when relying on it) are always well exposed 😉

Indriði : are you icelandic ? 🙂
Joao : what cam is it on your avatar?

 

[indridi]

Indriði : are you icelandic ? 🙂

Yes, indeed I am. What gave me away? 😀

 

[Joao]

Joao : what cam is it on your avatar?

Hello
Thanks for your opinion. The camera is a Junost - more pictures of it here, if you are interested
http://public.fotki.com/BlueWind/junost/
Regards
Joao

 

[gb hill]

I've got a Liningrad-6 that I use. It takes the px625 batt. It seems to be fairly accurate,because my exposures come out right. I like especially the leather case it's in. I just wear it around my neck and flip open top of the case and make my readings. It only makes my fsu joyful experience complete I think.🙂

 

[potomo]

Hello, I've bought some years ago a Leningrad IV as new. It works very fine and it doesn't need for batteries... thath's good!
So, can't u buy an other one?

 

[darkkavenger]

Indriði : 😀 the special " ð " letter (sort of th sound if I remember well) which is used only in icelandic 😉

Joao : thanks! Did you take photos with it ? 🙂

 

[Glauke]

I use the old basic Leningrad 2 meter. Strangely enough, it seems quite good, compared face to face with a modern TTL meter of a SLR. The most important feature of Leningrad 2 is that it can be adjusted to compensate variations of sensibility, which is good if the accuracy fading is linear...

 

[oscroft]

The most important feature of Leningrad 2 is that it can be adjusted to compensate variations of sensibility, which is good if the accuracy fading is linear

Oh, that's interesting - how do you adjust it? (I have one that has lost some sensitivity - maybe I can get it back to life).

 

[Joao]

Joao : thanks! Did you take photos with it ? 🙂

Yes, I try to use all my cameras unless they get irreversible damage and I can't get rid of them. I attach one photo with the Junost (some scanner artifacts, sorry). It's a good camera, but not very robust, and it is prone to several minor malfunctions. Not a camera to take in a long trip...
Regards
Joao

 

[Mikael.N]

Hi i recomend Weimar Lux cds it is sensible god for indor use and low cost 12euro.i think leningrad cds meter are the same as weimar.

 

[Diomedes]

I'm strongly recommending a nice Sverdlovsk-4. I bought one two years ago from eBay and I’m still using the first set of batteries. My Sverdlovsk is very accurate and constant with readings. I’m using three LR44 1.5V batteries with a small adapter. It has a bridge circuitry inside and it seems that Sverdlovsk tolerates an initial higher voltage (0.5V) and nonlinear voltage discharge of alkaline batteries very well. However, as Alfred also mentioned on his page, it appears there's a 2/3 EV readout difference. Since there is an exposure compensation dial, you can simply compensate for that.
Few months ago, I've bought for a song a nice Brockway Studio S, a very old and pretty famous selenium light meter. It's also pretty accurate (1/2 EV) and with a slight ASA compensation very useable. I'm using Sverdlovsk for the reflected metering (semi-spot) and Brockway for incident, because it has bigger light dome.
Regards,
Vjeko

 

[varjag]

Sverdlovsk-4 here too. Incident metering reliable to the point that I see no need bracketing chromes under typical lighting conditions.

 

[Glauke]

Oh, that's interesting - how do you adjust it? (I have one that has lost some sensitivity - maybe I can get it back to life).

Simply turn the plastic screw on the bottom side!

We can safely say that comrades are very prone to the DIY-adjusting things: virtually all lens can be collimated with just a shim and lightmeters can be adjusted just turning a screw (in the same way can be adjusted the lightmeters on the FED 4 and 5)
😀

 

[Coarzee]

I can only join the Sverdlovsk-4 choir.
I've got mine 9 years ago and it is very accurate, lightweight and convenient to use.
And what's even better: it still works with the original Soviet battery that was inside!