Meters for pre M5 Leica

[Fez Parker]

My MR4 Leicameter seems to be broken !! ( full needle deflection rearwards ). Although I can and do meter by eye outdoors it is nice to have a meter for mixed and/or artificial lighting. Any tips for guestimating such situations???
Fez.
www.fezparkerphotography.com

 

[Doug]

Well, several options...

Buy a hand-held meter, perhaps a Sekonic or Gossen. Very useful for any camera.

Or get your Leicameter fixed

Or try this rather complete guide to exposure estimation:
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

 

[Pastor Chris]

I love the Voightlander VC Meter II. I use it on my M3 and Barnak Leicas. It is easy to use, uses standard batteries, comes in black or silver, and is complimentary to the look of older cameras, IMHO. You will be getting lots of other suggestions, I am sure, it is nice to have options. Meters could be a bit like bags, can't have too many sizes and styles.

 

[cosmonaut]

I second the VC II. I have only used it for a couple of rolls but it is as accurate as you can get. Compact and fits the hotshoe. I just regret not getting one sooner.

 

[Field]

If you want fancier than a VC II just buy a spot meter... it will serve you better than anything else can in many ways. Everything is else is really just not going to get you better photos than a VC II so long as you know the simple rules like with B&W error on the side of over, back-light awareness, and compensation for it.

Lastly you could skip the light meter and shoot cheap daylight film because as long as it is not underexposed (hard to do) you can fix it post. I have tons of great photos from my Barnack doing this, and yet I was shooting with it when I was pretty green with a camera.

 

[Fez Parker]

Thank you all for your informed advice. Just developed a couple of FP4+ after a long day out exploring the Cornish coast, using my mk1 eye ball as a meter - all exposures good ! but I like the idea and I admit looks of the VC II meter. Any experiences of low light with this meter - or indoors ?
Fez

www.fezparkerphotography.com