Lunasix 3 seemingly 2-3 stops under? from a metering gumby

[mnmleung]

I dug out my old Lunasix 3 which still has battery in it (because I lent it to a friend who put in a new battery). I was using it as an incident meter for my Fed-2 and it seems to be 2-3 stops under compared with using my Nikon D50. I may be using it wrong, or have the wrong battery, or it needs some adjustment. How do I find out what the matter is? Sorry to be rather vague. Thanks from Ming

 

[Nikon Bob]

Just wondering if it could be the difference between an incident reading and the reflected reading the D50 gives. They are two different methods. You might try a reflected reading with the Lunasix 3 and then compare it to the reading from the D50 and it might be close. If you don't have the manual you can probably find it on the Gossen site or the Butkus site. That should tell you what battery it uses, how to use it and how any adjustments are made.

Bob

Bob

 

[J J Kapsberger]

A Lunasix 3 with new batteries but not calibrated for the modern voltage will read under (i.e., too high an EV), but 2-3 stops seems excessive. Mine only underexposed part of a stop. Take the batteries out, hold the meter as perfectly level as you can and press the high/low switch in both directions holding it down will the needle stops. In both cases (high and low), the needle should stop on the black line to the left of the scales. If not, take a screwdriver and while holding the switch turn the screw on the back of the meter till the needle is positioned over the black line. If the needle is positioned over the black line and the meter is underexposing (after you've put the batteries back in) phone a repair shop. Perhaps calibration to the modern voltage and adjustments of the pots are in order.

Of course this assumes you're metering correctly, which, as Nikon Bob points out, should be analysed.

Online manual: http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/instructionmanuals.html

User name: free

Password: manuals

 

[mnmleung]

thansk Bob, Darren and Pitxu. I looked up the manual about testing zero position.

I removed my Varta batteries, pressed the range selector button. The meter was "zeroing" on 1, which is to the right of the un-numbered check line. To me this explains why the meter is underexposing because it "thinks" the scene is brighter than it actually is. And that amounts to about 1 stop. Add that to Darren's 1 stop due to new batteries, I get 2 stops underexpose.

Having zeroed it using the adjustor on the back of the meter, I repeatedly pressed the range selector button. I noticed that the "zero" creeps back to its previous position after repeated pressing of the range selector button.

I do not know why it is "creeping" after adjusting zero position. Has anyone experienced this before? Thank you very much, from Ming

 

[MartinP]

I can't help with the zeroing problem, as mine hasn't done that (yet), but before you get the meter altered to suit a current battery type note that it may be cheaper (and quicker and more reliable) to use the bettery-converter made by Gossen for the meter. It is still a current part and any Gossen stockist should have it in stock or be able to order it.

Try seeing what happens with the battery-check button too, maybe the "new" cells were not so new ?

 

[mnmleung]

MartinP, thank you for the suggestion about a Gossen battery converter. I found a reference in http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&A=details&Q=&sku=89868&is=REG
The battery-check button indicates that my batteries are fine. Ming

 

[Lol999]

I've got a Lunasix 3 and faced with about £12 for a set of Wein Cell batteries that last about a year, or £24 for an adaptor that came with a free set of batteries I sprung for the adaptor. It now reads about 1/2 a stop different from my F3 when aimed at a plain wall, that'll do for me.

Cheers, Lol

 

[mnmleung]

Weston Master II

Weston Master II

Hmmm an alternative is to pick up an inexpensive Weston Master II and hope for the best. Anyone vouch for this little meter or recommend something else? Thanks from Ming

 

[Anglekat]

I have a Weston master v that i picked up off ebay about 6 months ago for less than £10 inc p&p.

It seems more or less accurate (+/- 1/2 stop) when compared with my D70s.

I`d say give one a try if you can find it at a good price. I thoroughly enjoy using mine with my Rolleicord V 🙂 .

Ken.

 

[mnmleung]

I have problems sourcing the Gossen adapter locally.

Rang a local technician who quoted AUD 50 to adjust Lunasix 3 to use hearing aid batteries. Probably my best bet.

So far I kept forgetting to re-bid for the Weston Masters I saw online. Doh.