Hanging the VCII

[lynn]

I needed a light meter for cameras like the Great Wall and the Seagull - and a couple of RFs awaiting batteries - and, trusting the recommendations of so many venerable RFF members, purchased a VCII from Stephen Gandy's Cameraquest. It's delectable, it's dependable, and I love it.
My problem: some of the above-mentioned cameras have no accessory shoes, and I'm stuck for a solution that doesn't involve spending $40 for the special neck cord. I'm using a suede jewellery pouch cinched shut with a long leather cord around my neck, but it's proving to be an unbelievable hassle getting it open when I need to, and I'm still having to juggle that tiny piece of equipment - attached to nothing, eeek - with my camera.
How do YOU do it? Or how WOULD you do it? Or would the $40 be money well-spent?
Thanks! 🙂

 

[Pherdinand]

I use my pocket for my quantum calculight meter, that is about 3 times as big as the CV, i think.
Sometimes i use my other pocket for the tabletop manfrotto tripod. I look really weird.
Not that i ever look non-weird, anyway.

 

[former member]

I think that the case for one of these Kalimar clip-on meters is somewhere around the house. It Looks in the ballpark of the VC-II. The meter fits into it and you keep it in the case for use. The old clip-on meters, like my Polaroid, had a leather case designed so that you could use the meter as a hand held in its case. The cases had cut-outs to mount on the camera strap. I wonder if an old one would be close enough to fit, or be made to fit with some careful cutting.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Exposure-Meter-...oryZ4702QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[Jacob]

Isn't it possible to tie a thin but strong thread tightly around the shoe mount of the meter and then tie a little bit wider strap to the thread? If You make a hole in the bottom of Your pouch, it can slide over the strap and cover/uncover the meter easily without risk of getting lost. It might be unnecessary to close the pouch when You are out using the meter, just pull it over the meter and the strap keeps it in place. Thats the way i use my Digiflash with its custom cover.
Good luck
Jacob

 

[GeneW]

Most of the time I carry my VC meter in my pants pocket. I use Sunny 16 as much as possible and only take readings here and there to verify my guesses. If I'm carrying a camera bag, I carry the VC meter in one of the outer pouches.

Gene

 

[lynn]

Thanks, guys, for the input. I actually played with an idea like yours, Jacob, but was worried about making it too permanent somehow, so that "loosening" it - to use it when I do have an accessory shoe available - would be finicky. I wonder if I could mount an accessory shoe onto a square of thick leather, or IN a small leather case like you mentioned, Brian, and hang that on a cord? Around my neck and "everready" is what I'd like most to realise..

 

[FrankS]

The problem with putting this meter in your pocket is that the ASA setting might change. I wish that setting was stiffer so it would hold more securely.

 

[back alley]

The problem with putting this meter in your pocket is that the ASA setting might change. I wish that setting was stiffer so it would hold more securely.

so, you're looking for something a bit stiffer in your pocket?

😉joe

 

[FrankS]

Feeling better, Joe?

BTW, you filter arrived yesterday. Brand new in an unopened box. Can't beat that!

 

[lynn]

Is anyone interested in what I ended up concocting? (I'm going to tell you anyway..) 🙂
I figured that what I needed, to start off with, was an accessory shoe, and a local camera shop found one (free) in a box of tiny bits&pieces sucked up by the vacuum cleaner. It had a threaded hole on the back - for a tripod maybe? - and one closed end, so the meter couldn't slide through.
Yesterday I dropped into a wonderful little hardware store in the Jordaan in Amsterdam and shared my dilemma; the owner bustled about in drawers and boxes and tried a few options, and this is what we came up with..
It cost me a total of €1. And it does exactly what it's supposed to do!

 

[GeneW]

Lynn, a clever, creative and elegant solution! Cheap too! 😀

Gene

 

[FrankS]

Thank you, Lynn, you've inspired me to do the same!