I'm Impressed

[nikon_sam]

I've been playing around with a Weston Master II lightmeter I picked up yesterday at an Antique Sale...it's basically new in the box with the leather case, instruction manual and film speed chart...
I've been comparing it to the readings on my Gossen Luna Pro SBC and the results are just so close that I just might give it a go...It's just so pretty...not a mark on it anywhere...
Yes, I set the Emulsion Speed according to the Weston Film Speed Chart...The Weston set at 320 and the Luna Pro at 400...
While doing this I then checked these reading against a Mamiya m645 Prism Meter and it is off about 1 stop...I should be shooting 400 at 200 according to the hand-held meters...The m645 has a Lithium battery in it so I'm thinking this may be what's causing the higher reading...I will try an alkaline battery later...

Interesting discovery...😎

 

[ChrisN]

Good fun comparing meters! I find I have to use a grey card in full sun to get a consistent comparison. My Pentax Spotmeter V is my "reference" meter.

Tell me more about the Emulsion Speed Chart - I have not seen that before.

 

[literiter]

I include a very fine old Weston Master IV meter when I travel now. It reads close enough to my Gossen Luna Pro that I'm confident. Not always the same; sometimes higher, sometimes lower. Probably the way I hold the meters is a factor.

The meter accompanies my M2 or my Super Ikontas.

No batteries!

 

[nikon_sam]

Good fun comparing meters! I find I have to use a grey card in full sun to get a consistent comparison. My Pentax Spotmeter V is my "reference" meter.

Tell me more about the Emulsion Speed Chart - I have not seen that before.

The correct title would be "Weston Emulsion Ratings"...
Granted this piece of paper is from around 1948 and it list several name brand films of the time and the "Speed Range" or ASA that Weston rates them at for use with their meter...Films mentioned are...
Anken
Ansco
Gevaert
Kodak
Kryptar
Universal

According to other websites found Weston Meters use a slightly slower film speed than film manufacturer rate them at...e.g. 400 @ 320 & 100 @ 80

I have several other Gossen meters (older Luna Pros that use PX625 batteries)and so far these two (Weston and Luna Pro SBC w/9 volt battery) are the only two that meter pretty close to each other...

 

[nikon_sam]

Probably the way I hold the meters is a factor.

So true...a very slight angle change will get a different reading...I figure about 8-12" from the subject (just be mindful of your shadow) will get a good reading...

 

[bsdunek]

I like the Weston Master II. A lot of people ask me what brand of cell phone I'm using 🙂

I love that, sitemistic! Not to sound old, but kids today don't seem to know what kind of great things we had a few years ago. I have my Dad's Weston Master IV, but it is way off. I'm thinking of haveing it refurbished. There is a place that does the selenium meters. My current handheld is a Lunasix - great meter - had it for about 40 years. 😎

 

[kuzano]

Careful on the Lithium in the Mamiya

Careful on the Lithium in the Mamiya

I used to be a regular poster on the Mamiya User Group web site. I have, more than once, seen a chart listing various Mamiya 645 camera's as susceptible to damage with Lithium batteries. Particularly, the Super (first removable back 645) had chronically poor electronics, but more than one model was listed in the table as "do not use Lithium". If that site is still available, I will post it here.