Help w/ Luna-Pro F

[qbking]

Hey guys another rookie question. I'm in the process of shopping for a light meter at the moment but for now I'm using a borrowed Gossen Luna Pro F. For the life of me I can't figure out how this meter works. I've used meters before so I know what I'm doing but this one has my mind wrapped around a pole. I need help. The only thing I know how to do is adjust the ASA speed (shooting Ilford 400). I put in a new 9-volt yesterday. Without the battery the needle rests where it should.

Can someone, in the most direct & clearest of lauguange, tell me how to read this thing. I just want a ballpark f/stop reading from this thing. I even have the manual & I'm confused.

Thanks in advance.

 

[ferider]

How about

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/luna-pro_f/luna-pro_f-splash.htm

Cheers,

Roland.

 

[jmcd]

Make sure you are in continuous light mode (small red button in "in" position on side of meter)

Reflective
Dial in film speed.
Slide the white dome to the side, and point the lens of the meter at your scene and press in the big right button—your reading will be held for 10 or so seconds. During this time, turn the big dial until the needle lines up with "0". Now your f-stop and shutter speeds are in the proper relationship for that light level.

 

[qbking]

The manual's explanation isn't really helping me. Any one?

 

[jmcd]

Also, check battery. Push in green button and needle should go into "green" zone to right of zero.

 

[qbking]

jmcd,

Thanks! I didn't have it in continous light mode & I didn't slide the dome over (duh). You only use the dome in direct sunlight, correct?

Also is this meter giving me a suggested exposure or do I simply pick the f/stop & shutter speed I like?

Thanks again. What really through me off is that the meter holds for a few seconds & then turns off. Never seen anything like that.

 

[qbking]

Battery is great. Put in a new one yesterday.

 

[ferider]

Dome is for incident metering. You pick f/stop/speed combo you like.

Roland.

 

[jmcd]

The meter does not suggest a shutter speed or f-stop, but gives you the entire range of appropriate pairings for a given light level. You choose!

 

[qbking]

Thanks again. Now that I understand what I'm doing it's actually quite nice. I read on other sites that it's a classic, reliable, & very competent meter. I see there are some floating around the net for not too much. Would you recommend this meter? I like the fact that it works off a 9-volt.

 

[jmcd]

"it's actually quite nice. I read on other sites that it's a classic, reliable, & very competent meter. I see there are some floating around the net for not too much. Would you recommend this meter?"

I bought a new one and used it for about 17 years, and it worked very well and reliably. One day recently, however, it developed a glitch in the circuit board and would not cut off. Repair would cost $140, which is really not bad to have a reconditioned and calibrated meter.

Instead, since I do not need flash, I bought a Weston II and V selenium meter with dead cells and had new cells installed along with calibration at Quality Light Metric. For the price of the Gossen repair, I have two lovely Weston meters. I loved the Gossen and might yet get it fixed, but the Westons are mechanical wonders, accurate, and truly fun to behold and use.