turn off auto-metering during storage?

[juggler]

Not sure if this has been discussed before but I can't find (or did not try hard enough) any post relating to it.

During storage or periods of short un-use, do we have to set the metering off the auto-mode to extend the life of the light-meter?

I am referring to the Canonets (with selenium or cds) and the Yashica Electros.

Thanks!

 

[gosu_john]

I remember reading somewhere that once you put on the lens cap the meter goes off. But I could be wrong.

In that way it saved the battery of the camera I guess.

 

[jorisbens]

If you store meters or cameras with meters that use selenium cells, you must always cover those selenium cells, because they will detoriate if they are stored in the light.

Joris

 

[Pherdinand]

if you mean the cameras with mercury cells, best is to take the battery out. Switching it off is a must i would say.

 

[titrisol]

If there is abttery anywhere take it out

If it is a selenium cell, store it in a dark, dry place, corrosion is the worse enemy of those cells.

 

[dmr]

During storage or periods of short un-use, do we have to set the metering off the auto-mode to extend the life of the light-meter?

I've had the QL17 GIII for 8 months now, same battery, and I normally keep the dial on A and the lens capped. As of yesterday the battery was still good.

I really don't think the photocell or the meter will wear out significantly with use or with current flowing. I know enough about electronics to read the schematic of this thing and it's really one big series circuit with a battery, photocell, meter, and a bunch of resistors. With the lens capped (on the GIII at least) no current (or negligible) will flow and things should last indefinitely.

The Pentax I have is the same. If you leave the lens capped, the battery seems to last forever.

Now on the Mamiya it's different. The photocell isn't under the lens cap. On my original one it seemed like I was *always* leaving the switch on and running down the battery. I've caught myself leaving it on several times, but not for long periods. I'm still on my original battery on that one too. 🙂