Just pulled my Soligor Digital Spot meter out of the box...

[Krzys]

I put in a 9V battery, my eye to the eyepiece and pulled the trigger while pointing at the sky.

It read out 0.0

then I pressed it again, 27.1

then again 40.5

49.1
21.8
60.1

and so on...random numbers

I thought it was meant to tell me an EV value which I dial in..which only goes upto 20.

If I press the tigger rapily I get flashing numbers in the 14-9 range, but never the same. All while on the same point of sky.

What is wrong with this meter, how do I use it!

Listed on ebay as 'This item is in remarkable shape, everything is functioning
and in working order, clean inside and out, I would rate it a 9½'

Have I been jibbed...again?

 

[Krzys]

It is stuffed. I put a lens cap on and it still gives random readings. It does not function as a meter. Bloody hell.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Bad circuitry, not repairable either, as the entire circuit must be replaced when digital meters have troubles. I had a Minolta Autometer IIIF that I bought new start that about 10 years after I bought it brand new, and Minolta charged me $75 to fix it. What they did was replace the ENTIRE inside of the meter, which is a couple of circuit boards, so i got my old beat up meter case with a new meter inside! I doubt anyone has parts for the Soligor anymore

 

[Krzys]

Rubbish. Absolute rubbish. Its different when you recieve a camera or equipment that is as-is or sold by a general user which has problems. But this and the last purchase were 'tested' and 'guaranteed'. Even if he agrees to refund its still $50 to send back to the USA.

The nerve to say something is tested when a roll of film hasn't been through it (The RB67 with winding problems) or no battery inside it (I suspect the case for this lightmeter). Rubbish!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Damn what did you pay for it? There's one on ebay now for only $119 buy it now. I don't think I'd bother buying something like that from another country.

 

[Krzys]

Spot meters, or any equipment is pretty hard to come by in Aus. A real be in to win situation when one pops up. I paid $180 since some have mercury battery requirements and such, I thought that this would be a guaranteed working 9v model, worth the extra $$. I guess I'm just a sucker, since my incidence meter crapped it and I want a replacement spot meter fast.

My new policy is to request a video recording of it in the seller's hands and detailed photos of the item and its function, proving it works. If they refuse due to any means then its not worth my time and money.

 

[zuikologist]

Some of the Gossen and Sekonic meters with spot attachments are not much more than $180 new.

 

[Krzys]

1° attachments?

I am within his 14 day policy for 100% refund...even though a fortnight limitation like that is a load of crap. (Kind of like a $10 minimum EFTPOS fee.) If he refuses then I am not going to feel good....

 

[Keith]

So what's wrong with 'sunny sixteen?'

You young guys have no imagination! :angel:

 

[Krzys]

I come across too many contrasty waterfall scenes in my travels...need dat spot.

And you know I shot sunny 16 (I actually figure it as sunny 22 in aus) exclusivly for the time I used a Leica.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I saw several Minolta Spotmeter F meters on ebay for around $200 and the Minolta is 500000 times better made than the Soligor. I have a Gossen Ultra Spot II which can be had usually for around $250 and often less. Its big and bulky but very accurate and well made. I dropped mine on a concrete road one and it bounced a couple times and still works.