Metrawatt Metrastar light meter - questions & info?

[vrgard]

I picked up an old Metrawatt Metrastar light meter at a camera store yesterday. Although it was a bit worn from use, it appeared to function just fine. Not only is it fairly heavy-duty in construction, it also has a neat feature of a little viewfinder window that shows what it's looking at and therefore metering. Another thing I like about it is that it is so utterly simple - set ASA, line up the dial with the needle reading, and read off whatever f stop and shutter speed you're interested in. It doesn't have all the other dial markings, etc., that can clutter a quick reading. Anyways, since it cost so little, I went ahead and bought it. Have a couple of questions, though.

One, since it runs on the old mercury 625 batteries, does anyone know whether it automatically adjusts for varying voltage of say an alkaline battery (as does the Spotmatic camera, for instance) or do I need to take into account the voltage variations of an alkaline battery when using this meter?

Two, since it's missing the little sliding incident reading white dome, I'm wondering if anyone happens to have one of these little pieces of plastic in the back of a drawer somewhere that they'd be willing to donate or sell to me. Likewise, if anyone has an old manual or leather case for it, that would be cool, too.

Three, I've found scant little online about this meter and wondered whether anyone can tell me anything about it. Is it considered a decent meter? Any thoughts, info, etc., about would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

-Randy

 

[vrgard]

Just trying, once again, to get some answers. Anyone?

 

[back alley]

i had this meter and just sent it off to another member.
and this past weekend i found the instruction manual for it, a copy, i bought but i can't remember where i bought it from.

i also can't remember who i sent the meter to.
if you read this p.m. me and i'll send it to you.

vrgard, i can make a photocopy for you if you want.

joe

 

[pshinkaw]

I believe Metrawatt was Leitz's sub-contractor for the Leica meters. Their equipment is pretty solid.

-Paul

 

[vrgard]

Thanks, Paul. The camera store where I bought this used meter told me that it was a Leica product, but I think you are correct in that Metrwatt was merely the company that made meters for Leica as well as under their own brand name. And yes, it is a pretty solid meter (the top and front faces are made of metal - a bit heavy for a meter, but no wonder it's still all in one piece after 40 years!).

 

[john_van_v]

A 625 translates to a 675 hearing aid battery with an O-ring.

If you need an O-ring, IM me.

 

[john_van_v]

A 625 translates to a 675 hearing aid battery with an O-ring.

If you need an O-ring, IM me.

Doesn't work with an O-ring because the positive contact is on the side and not the top.

I have two metrastars, yes well made and easy to use -- but mine are broken 🙁

 

[fuji645]

I picked up an old Metrawatt Metrastar light meter at a camera store yesterday. Although it was a bit worn from use, it appeared to function just fine. Not only is it fairly heavy-duty in construction, it also has a neat feature of a little viewfinder window that shows what it's looking at and therefore metering. Another thing I like about it is that it is so utterly simple - set ASA, line up the dial with the needle reading, and read off whatever f stop and shutter speed you're interested in. It doesn't have all the other dial markings, etc., that can clutter a quick reading. Anyways, since it cost so little, I went ahead and bought it. Have a couple of questions, though.

One, since it runs on the old mercury 625 batteries, does anyone know whether it automatically adjusts for varying voltage of say an alkaline battery (as does the Spotmatic camera, for instance) or do I need to take into account the voltage variations of an alkaline battery when using this meter?

Two, since it's missing the little sliding incident reading white dome, I'm wondering if anyone happens to have one of these little pieces of plastic in the back of a drawer somewhere that they'd be willing to donate or sell to me. Likewise, if anyone has an old manual or leather case for it, that would be cool, too.

Three, I've found scant little online about this meter and wondered whether anyone can tell me anything about it. Is it considered a decent meter? Any thoughts, info, etc., about would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

-Randy

This is my first post on RFF. I've been using this meter for almost 40 years, having received it a gift and it's the only hand held meter I've ever used. I recently lost it while shooting about 2 years ago. I just picked up another one on ebay in working condition! I've always loved it's simplicity and accuracy. I've recently used the Wein battery (Freestyle Photo) and it has worked pretty well. The MR meters for the M series Leicas were made by Metrawatt (yes, I also have one of those too!) It's a good, reliable and efficient meter. You will enjoy using it.
-Gary

 

[john_van_v]

Damn, I wish mine worked !! Maybe three's the charm (or maybe not)

 

[john_van_v]

EV question:

Do you know what the lower EV is, say -1 or something?

Here (CLICK) is an EV chart set to ASA 100

For example, at ASA 800:

F 1.4 at 1 second == EV -2 (according to the chart)

I mention this because I think this is the practical lower limit for street photography holding the camera against something such as a lamp post or telephone pole.

Also 1 second seems to be the lower limit for many if not most purely mechanical cameras.

 

[Luis]

I picked up an old Metrawatt Metrastar light meter at a camera store yesterday. Although it was a bit worn from use, it appeared to function just fine. Not only is it fairly heavy-duty in construction, it also has a neat feature of a little viewfinder window that shows what it's looking at and therefore metering. Another thing I like about it is that it is so utterly simple - set ASA, line up the dial with the needle reading, and read off whatever f stop and shutter speed you're interested in. It doesn't have all the other dial markings, etc., that can clutter a quick reading. Anyways, since it cost so little, I went ahead and bought it. Have a couple of questions, though.

One, since it runs on the old mercury 625 batteries, does anyone know whether it automatically adjusts for varying voltage of say an alkaline battery (as does the Spotmatic camera, for instance) or do I need to take into account the voltage variations of an alkaline battery when using this meter?

Two, since it's missing the little sliding incident reading white dome, I'm wondering if anyone happens to have one of these little pieces of plastic in the back of a drawer somewhere that they'd be willing to donate or sell to me. Likewise, if anyone has an old manual or leather case for it, that would be cool, too.

Three, I've found scant little online about this meter and wondered whether anyone can tell me anything about it. Is it considered a decent meter? Any thoughts, info, etc., about would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide.

-Randy

Randy, if you are still interested, I have an old, non-functioning Metrastar meter. It has the white dome and leather case, the latter being in good condition except for a broken leather strip that holds down the meter. If you are interested, let me know and I can send it to you for free. I can also send you or e-mail you a copy of the instructions.

Regards,
Luis