Repair a Gossen Luna Pro S

[hap]

I have a Gossen Luna Pro S...strangely enough it is not like any model I've seen on the internet. It seems a combination of a Lunasix 3 and a LunaPro SBC when comparing features. It runs on SR44 batteries...that is when it runs.

I called George Milton at Quality LIght Metrics in LA and he told me he is retired. Recommended SpectraCine in Burbank. They declined to even evaluate.

I realize this is not life and death, but I really like this meter and it seems to be unique among the many Gossen models.

Does anyone know of a technician that could look at this meter and perhaps repair it? I mean it does work, intermittently.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Do you have any photos of it? Gossen made a motion picture version with a foot on the side, specifically for mounting to the body of a Bolex H series camera.

Phil Forrest

I have a Gossen Luna Pro S...strangely enough it is not like any model I've seen on the internet. It seems a combination of a Lunasix 3 and a LunaPro SBC when comparing features. It runs on SR44 batteries...that is when it runs.

I called George Milton at Quality LIght Metrics in LA and he told me he is retired. Recommended SpectraCine in Burbank. They declined to even evaluate.

I realize this is not life and death, but I really like this meter and it seems to be unique among the many Gossen models.

Does anyone know of a technician that could look at this meter and perhaps repair it? I mean it does work, intermittently.

 

[hap]

Do you have any photos of it? Gossen made a motion picture version with a foot on the side, specifically for mounting to the body of a Bolex H series camera.

Phil Forrest

Phil
I have photos of it. However, I don't think it is unique in the way you describe.

It does not have null meter system. But it has Light value/EV system and Zone system. It has more stuff on it than I need. On the back it specifically states SR44 1.55v batteries and shows an icon on how to place the batteries inside an insert which then goes into the battery well.

I just like it and looking for an old timer or anyone willing to take it on.

I've tried cleaning contacts in the battery well and the usual obvious stuff. Strangely, if it stops working, I can , at times, take the batteries out, futz around with the insert and battery cap, replace batteries, and then it works......for a short while.

 

[hap]

I bought it a couple of years ago because it is very sensitive to low light and useful at night or dusk. The drawback is that the display is not lit.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The Luna Pro S is identical to the regular Luna Pro except the dial has the exposure compensation and zone system stuff added. The internal parts are all the same. The battery insert is actually a voltage converter that lets you use the 1.55v silver oxide batteries in the Luna Pro. It was sold by Gossen as an accessory for the original Luna Pro and was included with later production Luna Pro S models (the earliest Luna Pro S production did not include the adapter).

 

[x-ray]

I suspect SpectraCine won’t touch analog meters or only work on their Own brand meters. If it’s the Spectra company that I’m familiar with they make top notch cine meters. I used a Spectra combo 500 for years and they were excellent meters.

I had George Melton calibrate and convert to modern batteries quite a few meters. He even revived my Weston Master V by remagnetizing the magnet.

I’m a big fan of the Weston Ranger 9 and George calibrated one and converted it to modern batteries. No I’ve found another Ranger 9 in near new shape that works but needs converted to modern batteries and possibly calibrated. I was going to give George a call this week and make sure he’s still in business but I guess he’s not.

I’ll give SpectraCine a call and ask and if they won’t then who they might suggest. In the meantime does anyone have any suggestions?

 

[hap]

George a nice man. But swore closing shop for good in less than a month. You are a previous client, perhaps he would relent.

Bernadette Perez will answer for Specracine, if you call. Gate keeper from talking directly with techs. I found them “wanting”

UPDATE: fiddled with spring contacts in battery well and inside battery cover. Meter started work last day or so. Even battery test works. Compared with sunny 16 and my sekonic 308. Pretty close.

Chris...thanks for your comments. Seems like you have nailed my model. It’s not identified on the internet by anyone. I received it with the insert and instructions pictorial on back of unit. Would I be able to substitute LR44 for SR44....or even a lithium 1/n 3v ?

 

[hap]

A Luna pro S is a fun and easy to operate analogue meter with high sensitivity to low light...not sure why it has reading up many hours...but it does.

Bulky.

For my barnacks I have a shoe mount accessory and a Gossen digisix flash.....if necessary

It’s tiny.

 

[x-ray]

Thanks for the info. I’ll call him Monday. I’ve sent probably 8 meters to him in the last 4 or 5 years. Hopefully he’ll consent to one more.

Thanks!

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Chris...thanks for your comments. Seems like you have nailed my model. It’s not identified on the internet by anyone. I received it with the insert and instructions pictorial on back of unit. Would I be able to substitute LR44 for SR44....or even a lithium 1/n 3v ?

No, you must use silver-oxide batteries. The reason is that silver-oxides maintain their voltage output until they die, while both lithium and alkaline batteries slowly drop in voltage overtime.

The Luna Pro is a very simple device. The CdS cell is a "Photoresistor," meaning that it resists electricity in dim light and allows electricity to pass through in bright light. The Luna Pro has a simple electrical circuit that takes power from the batteries, runs it through the CdS cell, and then measures the amount of electricity that comes through using an old-fashioned moving-needle electrical meter. The batteries must put out a total of 3.1v (1.55 x 2) at all times for it to be accurate; the Luna Pro, unlike more modern computerized meters, does not have a voltage regulator built in.

 

[hap]

Thanks for the info. I’ll call him Monday. I’ve sent probably 8 meters to him in the last 4 or 5 years. Hopefully he’ll consent to one more.

Thanks!

You may get a messaging service but they will take your contact info and give it to him. Tha'ts, of course, should he not answer.

 

[hap]

No, you must use silver-oxide batteries. The reason is that silver-oxides maintain their voltage output until they die, while both lithium and alkaline batteries slowly drop in voltage overtime.

The Luna Pro is a very simple device. The CdS cell is a "Photoresistor," meaning that it resists electricity in dim light and allows electricity to pass through in bright light. The Luna Pro has a simple electrical circuit that takes power from the batteries, runs it through the CdS cell, and then measures the amount of electricity that comes through using an old-fashioned moving-needle electrical meter. The batteries must put out 3.1v at all times for it to be accurate; the Luna Pro, unlike more modern computerized meters, does not have a voltage regulator built in.

Are SR44 batteries same as SR44W? Are SR44 same as 357, which I have read are suitable silver oxide battery replacements. Supposedly the same size.

I recently received a Nikon F3 and in it was a lithium battery C-3 1/N. I read somewhere by chance that Nikon did not disapprove of lithium batteries for some of it's cameras.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Are SR44 batteries same as SR44W? Are SR44 same as 357, which I have read are suitable silver oxide battery replacements. Supposedly the same size.

I recently received a Nikon F3 and in it was a lithium battery C-3 1/N. I read somewhere by chance that Nikon did not disapprove of lithium batteries for some of it's cameras.

SR44, SR44W, S76, 357, and AG13 are all cross-compatible.

 

[x-ray]

I found a company that will calibrate my Weston Ranger 9. The price quoted is $275. I think 5 years ago QLM was $185 so not too unreasonable.

https://www.intl-lighttech.com/product-group/iso17025-light-meter-calibration-services

Also found a gentleman, Ian Partridge, in the UK that specializes in Weston Master selenium meters. The price for a Master V complete overhaul with new cell is about $275. He was willing to evaluate my Ranger 9 but if I can find a source in the US I’d prefer that.

I’m also going to check a couple other possibilities.

 

[nikon_sam]

I found a company that will calibrate my Weston Ranger 9. The price quoted is $275. I think 5 years ago QLM was $185 so not too unreasonable.

https://www.intl-lighttech.com/product-group/iso17025-light-meter-calibration-services

Also found a gentleman, Ian Partridge, in the UK that specializes in Weston Master selenium meters. The price for a Master V complete overhaul with new cell is about $275. He was willing to evaluate my Ranger 9 but if I can find a source in the US I’d prefer that.

I’m also going to check a couple other possibilities.

George has serviced three Weston Ranger 9s for me and I don't recall it being that much to do it...he also serviced a Weston Master III and Gossen Pilot...
On another similar note there's a Weston Ranger 9 for sale on eBay that was serviced by George on 3-1-2007...great price... I'd buy it but I don't need another...

 

[hap]

I am very lucky. somehow, adjusting spring loaded contacts seem to keep the batteries in good contact and works like it should.

It was sad that George Milton retiring because he obviously filled a significant niche for expertise with old meters needing love. He did not say that there was an apprentice. Spectracine just blew me off, finally saying that opening the case was likely to result in a worse outcome compared to intermittent function. They suggested I contact Gossen.

I wrote Gossen in Germany and they responded. First they said the Luna Pro S does not run on S44 batteries, only mercury and that's forbidden. this was followed up by saying that don't support products decades old. So I took it that they actually do not know their own products as Chris Crawford said.... the Luna Pro S was sold with an insert for SR44 batteries . My photos prove this and I was so ticked off, I sent them photos of the back and front of my Luna Pro S which has the printing clearly on the back to use SR44 batteries.

their business model doesn't consider the older meters to be worth supporting. I am glad rolex doesn't work that way but Rolex just put the independent watch services out of business by denying parts followed by consolidating service in house with very high charges.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I am very lucky. somehow, adjusting spring loaded contacts seem to keep the batteries in good contact and works like it should.

It was sad that George Milton retiring because he obviously filled a significant niche for expertise with old meters needing love. He did not say that there was an apprentice. Spectracine just blew me off, finally saying that opening the case was likely to result in a worse outcome compared to intermittent function. They suggested I contact Gossen.

I wrote Gossen in Germany and they responded. First they said the Luna Pro S does not run on S44 batteries, only mercury and that's forbidden. this was followed up by saying that don't support products decades old. So I took it that they actually do not know their own products as Chris Crawford said.... the Luna Pro S was sold with an insert for SR44 batteries . My photos prove this and I was so ticked off, I sent them photos of the back and front of my Luna Pro S which has the printing clearly on the back to use SR44 batteries.

their business model doesn't consider the older meters to be worth supporting. I am glad rolex doesn't work that way but Rolex just put the independent watch services out of business by denying parts followed by consolidating service in house with very high charges.

Not all Luna Pro S meters came with the silver-oxide adapter; the earliest examples of the Luna Pro S, like the original Luna Pro, were for mercury batteries. Actually, all Luna Pro and Luna Pro S meters were made for mercury batteries; Gossen never changed the internal circuitry for modern batteries, they instead sold the adapter that has a built-in electrical diode to drop the voltage of the silver oxide batteries to the 2.7v total needed by the meter's design.

Gossen has never been good about repairing their meters once they quit making them; Minolta and Sekonic would support older models for several years after they were discontinued, though Minolta no longer services any of their photographic meters anymore.

 

[x-ray]

I bought a Fuji Lanovia Quattro scanner direct from Fuji. They were nearly $50,000 at the time. Shortly after I bought it Fuji discontinued their scanners and stopped supporting them. In addition the no longer updated software and stopped selling parts including lamps. I fortunately had bought a case of lamps and wound up buying a used scanner to get parts from.

 

[hap]

Not all Luna Pro S meters came with the silver-oxide adapter; the earliest examples of the Luna Pro S, like the original Luna Pro, were for mercury batteries. Actually, all Luna Pro and Luna Pro S meters were made for mercury batteries; Gossen never changed the internal circuitry for modern batteries, they instead sold the adapter that has a built-in electrical diode to drop the voltage of the silver oxide batteries to the 2.7v total needed by the meter's design.

Gossen has never been good about repairing their meters once they quit making them; Minolta and Sekonic would support older models for several years after they were discontinued, though Minolta no longer services any of their photographic meters anymore.

No doubt...legacy products are not on their mind. Perhaps some enterprising individual (s) might perceive an opportunity to expand into this space, especially given the film revival and nostalgia for certain gear. One might expect that Quality Light Metrics (Hollywood) could have some kind of a parts bin that could have some worth.