Gossen CDS Super Pilot

[grizzz]

I found this in a junk box the other day and picked it up for nothing. It has no battery and needs a px13 which I believe isn't made any more. Is this worth finding a battery for and if so where can I get one that works? I've read about weincells but here that die quickly. Also the site I saw them on said it replaced the px13 and the px625. If this is tru could I put the px625 i have in my Canon F1 in it???? Thanks for any info..... Griz

 

[Socke]

There are many adapters to use SV44 cells with equipment made for PX625. Here is one

And I think one RFF member makes them, too.

 

[john neal]

grizz,

SBC buy their adapter from Cris in the USA - it seems to be 29.99 whether in dollars or pounds!

I make an adapter that some members here have bought that will do the job and will carry much more current than the Cris one - enough to light the battery check bulb on a GIII QL17, and work a Photomic head on a Nikon F. I don't think anyone else's does this. They are£7.50 each.

If you are intereseted send me a PM and I'll give you the details. There is a bit of a waiting list at the moment, but I should be through that in the next 2 weeks.

 

[grizzz]

OK, thanks. I've left John a PM. Two other questions: are the px623 and px13 interchangable? and does anyone have any experience with this meter?

 

[Graham Line]

If I remember correctly, the PX13 and PX625 are interchangeable but both are obsolete mercury cells. Maybe someone still has a stash. Batteries last a couple years in moderate use.
The way the manual dial 'saves' the reading handy.
My SuperPilot has been in use since the mid-70s and it's excellent within its limits. Response is typically Cds-slow at low light levels but it does have two sensitivity ranges.
If the needle hangs in the red zone to the left of the scale, you can thumb down the button on the left side to get it into low-light range.
It works by matching the circle with the pointer needle. With the white dome slid out of the way, it measures reflected light. The white dome slides over the cell for incident readings.
Adjust the ASA/ISO reading by sliding around the clear top cover disc. There is a trim pot on the bottom next to the battery cover to adjust the reading, but I think I've touched that twice since 1975.
www.craigcamera.com offers manuals, original or photocopied, at fairly stiff prices (I think).

 

[grizzz]

Thanks Joe. I don't think i need the manual. I figured most of the workings out by looking at it. Your explamation completed what I needed to know. I think I'll try a px625 I have in a F1 and see what it does. I'll still get the adapter I think....thanks....JD

 

[pshinkaw]

I've got two of the CdS Super Pilots (they also made a version with (silicon blue cells). One works, the other is a repair project. I like them a lot. Not too big, not to small. The battery issue is a problem, but I hope to adapt them to silver cells soon or I will just buy an adapter.

The Butkus Orphan Camera Manuals site:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/

has the owner's manual.

-Paul

 

[ChrisPlatt]

Nice meter. IIRC this model has no on/off switch.

I always made sure to close the leather case tightly
and never had a problem with the mercury battery.

But in my experience those Wein Cells poop out real fast,
so you might want to remove them when not in use...

"Excelsior, you fathead!"
-Chris-

 

[mongo141]

I just got through modifying a Gossen Luna Pro to use 303 silver oxide cells since the mercury 625 batterys are not to be found and the 625 silver batterys are hard to find (at least around here). But!, the process requires some high level skills requiring the dissembly of the meter to install a 1n4148 diode and a plastic collar around the 303 batterys since they are smaller in diameter than the 625 batterys. A small recalibration was done to the battery check ckt. with the existing internal adjustment and a plastic collar around the 303 batterys since they are smaller in diameter than the 625 batterys. Te contact spring was also bent out a little since the 303 batterys are a little shorter. The meter works perfect and reads the same as a known good meter, a Sekonic 408. the end result is a great meter that uses a comanally found silver-oxide battery. Dave