Luna-Pro F and battery match

[Ken Smith]

I recently picked up a Luna-Pro F and have a question about battery compatability. The owners manual just mentioned using a 9v battery and I tossed an alkaline version into it. It reads 2 stops over when compared to my Super Pilot and Canon G10. The Pilot and G10 jive w/one another when it comes to exposure readings. I then noticed that on the back of the meter it listed 9v 6F22 above the batter compartment which after some net digging is a Carbon-Zinc version of the 9V. The alkaline version is rated at 9 v and the carbon-zinc is about 7.2 v

Would the alkaline Duracell make that big of a difference in the reading?

By the way, this is a big honking meter. It's as big as my G10 and folks here have complained about the G10 being too big.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The alkaline is probably what it needs, modern Gossen meters all used alkalines fine. I've got one that does, yours probably needs repair

 

[Doug]

Hi Ken -- I bought a used Luna Pro F six years ago. As received, the leads to the battery had been crudely repaired, and it didn't agree with a camera meter or my other Gossen. Took it to the local repair shop for CLA and redo of the battery leads. Afterward, the tech said it now could be used to calibrate other meters! I have a Duracell Ultra in it.

As you say, it's big, so I more often carry a Gossen Super Pilot SBC which looks & works rather like a smaller version of the Pro F. In either case I secure the lanyard to a belt loop and the meter goes in a pocket (shirt, vest, jacket...)

I agree with Chris that yours is probably in need of service and calibration.

 

[sevo]

Any 9V block battery is fine, the meter has its own stabilization circuitry. Yours might need calibration, or at least an adjustment with the user adjustment screw accessible on the rear.

 

[Bill58]

Get a CLA done by Quality Light Metric in California and be happy.

 

[Roger Hicks]

Another vote for a defective meter. I have three of these (don't ask why...) and they all digest any 9v battery I stick in them quite happily.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Ken Smith]

Thanks guys - I guess a re-calibration/CLA it is.

 

[jan normandale]

Thanks guys - I guess a re-calibration/CLA it is.

Ken.... you want to go here before doing that... much easier, cheaper, accurate etc etc etc

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89868-REG/Gossen_GO_4145_Adapter_Kit_Battery_Holder_for.html

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Ken.... you want to go here before doing that... much easier, cheaper, accurate etc etc etc

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89868-REG/Gossen_GO_4145_Adapter_Kit_Battery_Holder_for.html

That doesn't work on the model the OP has. The OP has a Luna Pro F, which is a silicon-cell based meter that uses 9V alkalines, not the button cell mercury batteries the original CdS cell Luna Pro used.

 

[jan normandale]

Chris, thanks! I've got a "regular" Luna Pro and it's the button batteries. I've one of the coverters and that's why I suggested them. It's interesting that they put a meter out with 9v batteries. I didn't know.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Gossen had a lot of meters in the 80s and 90s that used 9 volts. It was kinda unusual cause most other companies, like minolta and Sekonic were going with AAs mostly. The Luna Pro SBC, Luna Pro F, Luna Lux SBC, and Ultra Spot and Ultra Spot II all used 9 volts. I have an Ultra Spot II that I bought after saving money forever while I was in college.

 

[Doug]

Luna Star digital meters also use the 9v battery. Makes finding replacements a whole lot easier...

 

[JoeV]

Get a CLA done by Quality Light Metric in California and be happy.

Ditto. It's also nice to have the peace of mind provided by the yellow calibration sticker they apply to the meter afterward, just another reminder that your metering is now accurate.

~Joe