atelier7
Well-known
what's a cheap, effective meter to be used with a IIIC? I like the VC II but it's out of my budget at the moment.
FPjohn
Well-known
DigiSix or Digiflash
DigiSix or Digiflash
Hello:
I use a DigiSix with a 111b as a backup to the "Sunny f16" rule. Enjoy your LTM setup.
Yours
Frank
DigiSix or Digiflash
Hello:
I use a DigiSix with a 111b as a backup to the "Sunny f16" rule. Enjoy your LTM setup.
Yours
Frank
ErnestoJL
Well-known
There are not too many choices, as long as most CdS based meters aren´t shaped so to fit decently over a IIIc body.
If you do not expect to shoot under very dim light, a Metraphot would be a nice choice if you find one not priced as a collectors item, and most important, in perfect working order (it´s a selenium based meter). This meter was designed to have similar appearance and finish like the Leicas, and was sold also as Leicameter. I payed USD 15 for a model II, but had to replace the cell.
In case you accept a handheld meter, the Gossen Lunasix III (or Luna Pro) has excellent accuracy and not too expensive.
If you do not expect to shoot under very dim light, a Metraphot would be a nice choice if you find one not priced as a collectors item, and most important, in perfect working order (it´s a selenium based meter). This meter was designed to have similar appearance and finish like the Leicas, and was sold also as Leicameter. I payed USD 15 for a model II, but had to replace the cell.
In case you accept a handheld meter, the Gossen Lunasix III (or Luna Pro) has excellent accuracy and not too expensive.
Dan Chang
Established
VII out of your budget? eh, how about Wiston II few bucks
Gordon Coale
Well-known
My Sekonic L-136 is a cds meter that fits my IIIc like a glove. It just might be hard to find. I was lucky.
je2a3
je
For "clip-ons" your choices below the VC II price range is rather limited to the Sekonic Gordon mentioned above or the L208 which still sells for about $90 new and effective only to about EV2. The Gossen Pilot 2 [Sixtino in EU] is also worth considering for outdoors but it only goes down to EV3 and they can be found at eB*y for around $30, the accessory shoe is about $11. You need to buy a flash adaptor to clear the shutter dial on the IIIc to shoe mount either of these.
If you want to go retro hand held, I also recommend looking into old Weston because they have "older type shutter speeds" in the calculator dial. I use a Weston II when I shoot my early Feds and Zorkis outdoors. The only problem with the II is you have to convert the Weston speed ratings to ISO but this is easily found in the internet. The III is calibrated in ASA/ISO as well as the IV and V both of which have a needle hold switch. As always buying from the auction site can be a risky proposition so look for them at fleamarkets or antique shops and test them before buying. Last summer I found a Weston V for $15 at a flea market and in daylight it was reading the same as my Luna Pro-F against a brick wall.
Past the "clip-ons and old shutter speeds", you have a broader choice. Just avoid meters that require mercury batteries unless they were converted or already have adaptor factored into the price.
Good luck!
If you want to go retro hand held, I also recommend looking into old Weston because they have "older type shutter speeds" in the calculator dial. I use a Weston II when I shoot my early Feds and Zorkis outdoors. The only problem with the II is you have to convert the Weston speed ratings to ISO but this is easily found in the internet. The III is calibrated in ASA/ISO as well as the IV and V both of which have a needle hold switch. As always buying from the auction site can be a risky proposition so look for them at fleamarkets or antique shops and test them before buying. Last summer I found a Weston V for $15 at a flea market and in daylight it was reading the same as my Luna Pro-F against a brick wall.
Past the "clip-ons and old shutter speeds", you have a broader choice. Just avoid meters that require mercury batteries unless they were converted or already have adaptor factored into the price.
Good luck!
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richard_l
Well-known
The Gossen Digisix and Sekonic L308B are very accurate and not too expensive. There is no point in buying any meter unless it is accurate, since you can always do without it and use the Sunny 16 method instead.
sf
Veteran
cheap light meter
cheap light meter
no light meter. That is very cheap.
But
I am poor enough that I can't afford anything at all, and certainly not a spot meter to use with my Crown Graphic. So, buying one makes no sense, since it would be another piece of gear to carry around, and I might as well just carry my D70 around and use that. It is one expensive light meter, but it does the trick, and it stops me buying something I don't actualyl need. And it is not a new purchase, no further injury to my finances. Just remember how to convert readings for small apertures, and figure in reciprocity failure, and all is well.
But if you want small, pocketable, you'll have to fork out the cash piece for an actual meter.
cheap light meter
no light meter. That is very cheap.
But
I am poor enough that I can't afford anything at all, and certainly not a spot meter to use with my Crown Graphic. So, buying one makes no sense, since it would be another piece of gear to carry around, and I might as well just carry my D70 around and use that. It is one expensive light meter, but it does the trick, and it stops me buying something I don't actualyl need. And it is not a new purchase, no further injury to my finances. Just remember how to convert readings for small apertures, and figure in reciprocity failure, and all is well.
But if you want small, pocketable, you'll have to fork out the cash piece for an actual meter.
oftheherd
Veteran
I don't know about clip ons since the only one I have ever used was for the Pentax SV. It worked well but would only fit those models.
I do use a Gossen Luna Pro and would unhesitatingly recommend it as a good all around meter. It is a little more expensive than you probably need, but you will never regret having a working Luna Pro. They really do read low light well. You may not need that either though.
The first meter I ever purchased was a Sekonic Micro Leader. It was small, read in surprisingly low light and was easy to use one-handed. I think it used a mercury battery. When the cell went bad, I purchased another cell from Radio Shack and it continued to work well with a non-mercury battery. I was no doubt just lucky.
I do use a Gossen Luna Pro and would unhesitatingly recommend it as a good all around meter. It is a little more expensive than you probably need, but you will never regret having a working Luna Pro. They really do read low light well. You may not need that either though.
The first meter I ever purchased was a Sekonic Micro Leader. It was small, read in surprisingly low light and was easy to use one-handed. I think it used a mercury battery. When the cell went bad, I purchased another cell from Radio Shack and it continued to work well with a non-mercury battery. I was no doubt just lucky.
The Sekonic L-208 seems like a nice little package for general photography if you are looking for a new meter.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...224&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
You won't (not that you can't) find too many older used meters that are more sensitive to lower levels of light. The Quantum Calcu Lite XP is one, but it will take some patients to find. If you decide to go used, focus in on the meters you are interested in and then check out ebay. Some meters go for real low prices on ebay.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...224&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation
You won't (not that you can't) find too many older used meters that are more sensitive to lower levels of light. The Quantum Calcu Lite XP is one, but it will take some patients to find. If you decide to go used, focus in on the meters you are interested in and then check out ebay. Some meters go for real low prices on ebay.