Strange issue with Weston Master II meter

[Sid836]

I have recently acquired a Weston Master II light meter. The problem is that when I hold it upright it reads a different value as when holding it sideways.
It is as if the "weight" of the needle "drifts" the actual reading up or down depending on the side you hold it on. Is this a fault that can be repaired?

 

[brainwood]

Hi Nikos

I have the later MkIV and it doesn't have this problem, however the II is much earlier and I wonder if it is a foible of the design. Theres a manual for it here if you haven't got one but interestingly the meter is always shown being held sideways to take the reading in there. Is there another meter or camera you can check it against to work out if any orientation is correct ?

http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/weston_master_ii.pdf

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

If the selenium cell is generating a very weak current, you might see this behaviour. Sensitive meter movements can be affected by the position in which they are held.

 

[George Bonanno]

My Weston Master II gives accurate light readings no matter which horizontal or vertical position I hold it. My take is your meter was not built to American standards in Newark, N.J., USA but built by Sangamo in England to a much lesser standard.

The instruction booklet packed with mine has much more information on the correct way to use the light meter than the lame on line instruction manual PDF.

If your meter is marked S141 on the back side it surely is a cheap imitation of the original. If not than it is in need of repair.

 

[zuikologist]

Interesting. Do you know what the differences were? I had not heard this before.

My Weston Master II gives accurate light readings no matter which horizontal or vertical position I hold it. My take is your meter was not built to American standards in Newark, N.J., USA but built by Sangamo in England to a much lesser standard.

The instruction booklet packed with mine has much more information on the correct way to use the light meter than the lame on line instruction manual PDF.

If your meter is marked S141 on the back side it surely is a cheap imitation of the original. If not than it is in need of repair.

 

[Bill58]

Quality Light Metric Co. in LA will fix it for you.

 

[George Bonanno]

Interesting. Do you know what the differences were? I had not heard this before.

Yes, I do know what the differences are... quality, stability and accuracy.

 

[zuikologist]

Thanks for your help. I'll look elsewhere.

 

[Sid836]

It is a USA made one. I think as stated before it is much used up. After that swing of the needle from holding it one side to another I don't think it is worth bothering testing it.
Pitty because I loved its looks and ease of use.

 

[charjohncarter]

I just checked my Weston Master II (US model) and it is the same vertical or horizontal. I have a Sekonic Master (about 40 years old) and it is the same both ways. They also have the same reading.

 

[sevo]

I'd guess at a loose pin bearing. The play in that bearing can be adjusted - but I vaguely remember it being somewhat hard to get into Weston meters.

 

[nikon_sam]

I believe that the ones made in the US were sealed better...I found one and it still worked but soon after died...I sent it to George (Quality Light-Metric) and it's good for another 60 or so years...they can be fixed still but sending it to Hollywood might be a bit expensive...

 

[Sid836]

... And that's it. Today it has stopped working. I took it out in the cold and the needle got stuck somewhat above 0! I am all out of luck these days...

 

[sevo]

I believe that the ones made in the US were sealed better.

In mine, failure seems to be directly proportional to age - so no, there probably is no difference by different Weston generations. Nor among Norwoods/Sekonics (the other relevant meter with potted round cell).

Either seems to survive for at least one magnitude beyond meters with lacquered rectangular steel cells.

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . My take is your meter was not built to American standards in Newark, N.J., USA but built by Sangamo in England to a much lesser standard.. . .

Have you any evidence of this?

Because in my experience (and I've had both US and UK Westons) it's nonsense. Of course I could be wrong. But so could you.

Cheers,

R.

 

[mikemc_photo]

The coil pivots are gummed up, and possibly one is loose or worn. When I set up any meter I used a "half sphere " light box, where I could hold the meter any direction in the same light. I used this for Gossen Luna Six's and Luna Pro's as to set the low levels you needed to have flat even EV levels.
First thing I would do is separate the cell and check the coil for binding, then clean and balance. Now reconnect the cell and coil and check your response and accuracy. If its been dropped re balancing will usually work. If the pivot is bent...its junk

 

[George Bonanno]

Have you any evidence of this?

Because in my experience (and I've had both US and UK Westons) it's nonsense. Of course I could be wrong. But so could you.

Cheers,

R.

Roger... don't call me on the carpet. You know darn well what the differences are.

1) Excellent sealing properties
2) High quality selenium cell for longevity and accuracy
3) Far superior meter movement

So that's that on that,
George

 

[Sid836]

Well, the one that had died on me is a US made one. The other one I had was a US made one too, and died with the needle stuck one day somewhere in the middle of the scale.
That's to abolish that US are better made than the UK ones. I have never owned a UK made one. All of them where US made and had gone dead within a month of usage.

(and I never misuse them, I have way too many good looking paperweights for now) 🙂

 

[Roger Hicks]

Roger... don't call me on the carpet. You know darn well what the differences are.

1) Excellent sealing properties
2) High quality selenium cell for longevity and accuracy
3) Far superior meter movement

So that's that on that,
George

Not really, George. See the post below yours and above mine.

Cheers,

R.