Gossen SBC?

[Bill58]

I saw an SBC w/ spot attachment the other day for $100. I already have a Luna Pro, but like the under/ over exposure f-stop feature for use w/ filters.

Anybody got some advice on the wisdom of buying this one?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[nikon_sam]

I picked up a SBC several years ago after already owning a Luna Pro...
I have the Spot and Flash attachments for it too...
$100 with the Spot Att. is a good price (depending on condition) PLUS it uses the ever available 9 volt battery...and I find it easier to use than the Luna Pro

 

[Bill58]

I picked up a SBC several years ago after already owning a Luna Pro...
I have the Spot and Flash attachments for it too...
$100 with the Spot Att. is a good price (depending on condition) PLUS it uses the ever available 9 volt battery...and I find it easier to use than the Luna Pro

Sam:

Yeah-it's in exc. condition. Do you use the spot attach. all the time or just in difficult lighting conditions?

Thanks,
Bill

 

[nikon_sam]

Bill...
It's actually the Vari-Angle Attachment not the Spot Att.
I use it here and there but not all the time...
The SBC and Spot for $100 is a great price...
My SBC goes with the 4x5 View Camera but sometimes I use it to check a camera's meter...
I would recommend this as a first handheld meter...it's so easy to use...

 

[Nikon Bob]

Bill

It is a very good meter.

Sam

If you are using a 4x5 you might keep an eye out for one of these http://www.gossen-photo.de/pdf/ba_profiselect_d_e_f.pdf .

Bob

 

[kuzano]

That's a good price if it checks out

That's a good price if it checks out

It's reputed that the Silicon Blue Chip is more accurate than earlier CDS cells.

It uses a readily available 9 volt as mentioned

I've seen the 7/15 degree variable finder (often referred to as spot meter) sell on ebay for up to $75 by itself.

The variable finder will work on your luna pro, as I have both and use both finders interchangably.

 

[sevo]

I saw an SBC w/ spot attachment the other day for $100. I already have a Luna Pro, but like the under/ over exposure f-stop feature for use w/ filters.

Anybody got some advice on the wisdom of buying this one?

There is no "Gossen SBC" - there is a white-on-blue SBC logo on the cover of the dial hub of the Profisix, Lunalite and a couple of non-photographic versions of either, to show off that they feature a silicone blue cell sensor (as opposed to the CdS sensor on earlier Gossen models). It would be slightly expensive by German standards, but with shipping and import taxes thrown in, probably a fair US price for a Profisix. But it would be on the expensive side for a Lunalite (or any oddball non-photo meter) on either side of the pond, so make sure that it is indeed a Profisix.

 

[nikon_sam]

My instruction manual's front cover reads as...

"Gossen Luna-Pro sbc"

People may call it the SBC because it's easier to refer to it by that name...your right in that it's a "Luna-Pro" with a SBC sensor...

 

[sevo]

Ah, right, the Lunasix as sold as the Luna-Pro, the Profisix as the Luna-Pro SBC in the US.

 

[oftheherd]

Ah, right, the Lunasix as sold as the Luna-Pro, the Profisix as the Luna-Pro SBC in the US.

I think that is indeed correct. It is what I have heard several times before, that Gossen used different names in the US and Europe.

Bill - $100 for a Gossen Luna Pro SBC with either the variable 7/15 degree or spot attachment is a good price if they are in good condition. The SBC is a better sensor. It is more sensitive in low light and doesn't have as much memory as the Cds cells. The SBC is a little larger than the Luna Pro. I have both.

I don't use the spot attachment all the time. It adds weight and size. It is good for what it was intended. Taking spot readings when spot readings are called for. The Luna Pro SBC is a system light meter. You can use the variable, microscope, and enlarging attachments from the Luna Pro, or the spot, flash, fiber, or Profi Select TTL (note those instructions say the ProfiSix is known as the Luna Pro SBC in the US). There is also a large dome for the SBC to use in place of the small sliding dome. I expect it gives better readings, but have never used it.

I would recommend you get it. I don't think you will ever be sorry.

EDIT: For those that use 4x5, I have read that the microscope adapter is pretty much as useful as the TTL. I have never tried it.