Lightmeter question

mifo2000

mifo2000

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Hi,
for the use of a M2, which meter is the better choice,
the Leica MR or the VC II.
Thanks for your comments
Michael
 
Last edited:
I use the VC II. The only problem with it is the ISO dial does not stay set to the ISO you set since it does not have click stops..
 
Lightmeter?

Lightmeter?

mifo2000 said:
Hi,
for the use of a M2, which meter is the better choice,
the Leica MR or the VC II.
Thanks for your comments
Michael
Click to expand...

I prefer separate meters. There is less camera bulk and they are more functional.

I use a Weston Master V as a back up meter to my M6.

A separate meter is also best for street photography as it means you can pre set the camera before raising it to your eye
 
kennethcooke said:
I prefer separate meters. There is less camera bulk and they are more functional.

I use a Weston Master V as a back up meter to my M6.

A separate meter is also best for street photography as it means you can pre set the camera before raising it to your eye
Click to expand...

I agree completely, especially when shooting B+W. I use a small Gossen Digisix or Sekonic 398A alongside my M2 or M3; works like a charm in terms of presetting. No extra camera bulk.

2743954751_0d3b45bcf0.jpg
 
Agree with Kenneth n Thomas. I prefer to use my M3 without the light meter attached on top. Generally, i use the Sunny 16 rule and work from there. If I need to confirm the metering, i'll use my Sekonic L308-S. I find it faster this way than to fiddle with the attached light meter. Just a thought..
 
colyn said:
I use the VC II. The only problem with it is the ISO dial does not stay set to the ISO you set since it does not have click stops..
Click to expand...

Before I foolishly sold mine, I found a small piece of clear tape did wonders for the ISO problem.

William
 
wlewisiii said:
Before I foolishly sold mine, I found a small piece of clear tape did wonders for the ISO problem.

William
Click to expand...

I've taped mine a couple of times. Can't leave it on too long here in the hot Texas summer or tape residue gets all over it..
 
For the classic look, is better the Leicameter MR, obviously. The problem is the battery, because the proper mercury oxide PX625 1,35 voltage is long time outlawed and the MR-9 adapter non fit in the Leicameter MR; therefore, the best solution is the Weincell MRB625 zync air battery 1,35 voltage.
As alternative, the VC Meter II is a very good option, but allow only the reflective light measurement, as the Leicameter MR, but with the silicon cell instead the CDS cell of the Leicameter and without any battery problem.
Nevertheless, for me the best solution is a silicon cell Sekonic L208, supplied with a hot shoe bracket. The plus of the L208 is the both reflective and incident light measurement. Is not good looking as the Leicameter MR or the VC Meter II but is surely more functional.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
The Leica MR meter is the only choice. Looking at most of the replies it's obvious people haven't used it. I also have the VC meter for my IIIF so I can give a good comparison. The MR meter couples directly to the speed dial, so changes are immediately displayed. The MR meter field corresponds to the VF 90mm finder.
 
If you want to shoot in style: MR. Advantage: coupling to speed dial and pretty accurate enough for B&W and color neg. My experience with Wein cells is they easily last one year and more. Disadvantage: needs careful removal from camera to avoid marks in the top plate.
If you dislike clip on meters: sunny 16. You won't be bothered by checking your meter all the time just to note that you don't need to change the speed/diaphragm that was already set. So way faster than any metered shooting!
If you're uncomfortable without a meter: get an M5. Fast and extremely accurate and easy. :)
 
I have an MR that I used for a while, but I pretty much stopped using it. MR light meters can get finicky over time. They use sliding brass contacts internally that corrode eventually. If I use a shoe mounted light meter, I prefer the selenium based MC meter that couples just like the MR or I use a hand held one. I'm probably lucky that I have an MC that is in good shape and is accurate for the range that it can handle. I thought about the VC, but I guess for me if I was going to use a shoe mounted one then I wanted it coupled to the shutter speed.
 
Vincenzo Maielli said:
For the classic look, is better the Leicameter MR, obviously. The problem is the battery, because the proper mercury oxide PX625 1,35 voltage is long time outlawed and the MR-9 adapter non fit in the Leicameter MR; therefore, the best solution is the Weincell MRB625 zync air battery 1,35 voltage.
As alternative, the VC Meter II is a very good option, but allow only the reflective light measurement, as the Leicameter MR, but with the silicon cell instead the CDS cell of the Leicameter and without any battery problem.
Nevertheless, for me the best solution is a silicon cell Sekonic L208, supplied with a hot shoe bracket. The plus of the L208 is the both reflective and incident light measurement. Is not good looking as the Leicameter MR or the VC Meter II but is surely more functional.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
Click to expand...

I do use for a several MR meters the '1,5 voltage'. (625A micro cell)

In practice the 1,35 and the 1,5 voltage gives almost the same meter results!

Only for the Leicaflex SL (2) cameras you cannot use the 1,5 voltage, but you can use the MR 9 adapter!
 
As others have said, an MR is better because it was designed for the M Leicas. However, I agree with those who favour separate meters. An added advantage with most is that you can take both reflected light and incident light readings.
 
In my personal experience with many cameras and meters with the power supply PX625 mercury oxide batteries, i find that the 1,5 alkaline cell are unconstant in their curve of discharge: at the begin is 1,5 while in the middle is 1,4/1,35 and at end is 1,1 voltage. If are good for the colour or BW negatives, are not good for the colour slides, that request the maximum accuracy in the light measurement.
The old PX625 mercury oxide batteries was constant in their curves of discharge, exactly as the 1,5 oxide battery counterparts. Personally, i don't like very mutch the Weincell MRB625 and i use the MR-9 adapter with the 386 1,5 silver oxide battery. In the Leicameter MR, that non fit with MR-9 adapter, i suggest also the SPX 625 1,5 voltage oxide batteries, easy available in USA or UK. Due to their constant curve of discharge, with the colour slides is sufficient a very little exposure compensation with the ISO/ASA selector.
Ciao.
Vincenzo
 
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