Unplugged

[Graybeard]

I recently bought an inoperative Weston Master IV and had it overhauled by Quality Light Metric. This can be quite a cost-effective way to obtain a really fine hand held light meter. Dead Westons can be bought on eBay for $10 or less (be patient) and Quality Light Metric will bring it to "like new" performance for $60. The Weston meters are far more ruggedly built that any of the modern all-plastic units I've run across.

The sensitivity of the selenium cell is simply not an issue for me. The meter will give a useful reading down to eV6 in its high sensitivity range. This corresponds to f1.4 at 1/25th with ASA400 film. This shutter speed is the lower limit for my abilities to hold the camera steady in hand-held shooting.

The Master IV and Master V are the better Westons to have. There is switch which locks the meter movement when not in use which prevents mechanical damage to the movement should the meter receive some rough treatment. The Master III lacks this locking feature.

No need for batteries with this meter and an M3.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I love Weston Meters. I still use a Weston Master 715 that was stored in its box in a lab for decades, and got it before being thrown out. It is in with the Leica's. I have a Weston Master II bought for $4 that I use with the Nikon's.

I would go with a Master IV or later if rebuilding one. Somehow I think the Westons that I have are going to outlast me, and they got a 20 year headstart..

 

[markinlondon]

Yeah, they're lovely aren't they. When I moved house about 12 years ago a small mix-up resulted in a bag of my stuff being left out for the binmen. It contained several guitar effects which would now be collectors items and a mint Weston Master V in leather case (no cone though) among other bits and bobs from the back of a cupboard.

I now have a very dinged-up Euromaster with cone (no case) which works superbly and cost me about 30 pounds from a junk shop in Broadstairs. They had Hasselblad gear too!

UK readers please note Weston Euromasters are still being made in Tottenham, London about three miles from my house.

Mark

 

[RayPA]

...
UK readers please note Weston Euromasters are still being made in Tottenham, London about three miles from my house.

Mark

Would that make you a 'spurs fan?

Dead Westons can be bought on eBay for $10 or less (be patient) and Quality Light Metric will bring it to "like new" performance for $60. The Weston meters are far more ruggedly built that any of the modern all-plastic units I've run across...

I've a "Dead Weston" (sounds like a punk band) I picked up at a g-sale for close to nothing. I'll have to check out QLM, thanks. You're right, my primary meter is a CalcuLight, and I doubt it would survive 4 foot drop to concrete. The Weston is smaller and heftier, that's for sure.

 

[markinlondon]

Would that make you a 'spurs fan?

Actually, Ray I'm not an anything fan these days really, but I grew up on the other side of town supporting Queens Park Rangers for my sins (I can almost hear the chorus of "who??").

Mark

 

[KoNickon]

Certainly have heard of QPR. My sense, though, was that the great chorus of "Who?" over here arose at the announcement of George Best's death. I'd heard of him, but he was a little before my time -- I'd never seen film of him playing, for instance. I'm sure the vast majority of sports fans here only know of Pele, in terms of soccer players from the '60s.

 

[Ben Z]

I bought a Weston V but sent it back. I found the dial very hard to read, small print, lots of numbers, all very close together. Low-light sensitivity is a major issue for me, as I can just about guess my exposures in normal light if need be. I've picked up a couple of Sekonic L308 meters for about the cost of a dead Weston + overhaul by QLM. These read in low light, take a single AA battery available just about anywhere. Weston's are "cool" I agree, but I'm after function.

 

[ChrisN]

I bought a Weston V but sent it back. I found the dial very hard to read, small print, lots of numbers, all very close together. ...

You might have been happier with the Euro-Master version, which I thnk is the same thing with a simpler, less cluttered dial. Does anyone use that one?

How big is the Sekonic? I find the Weston Master V a bit of a handful, now that I've used a VCII!

 

[Graybeard]

I bought a Weston V but sent it back. I found the dial very hard to read, small print, lots of numbers, all very close together. Low-light sensitivity is a major issue for me, as I can just about guess my exposures in normal light if need be. I've picked up a couple of Sekonic L308 meters for about the cost of a dead Weston + overhaul by QLM. These read in low light, take a single AA battery available just about anywhere. Weston's are "cool" I agree, but I'm after function.

On the Weston Master V, the common shutter speeds and f-stops are white on a black background (with a number of intermediate stops and speeds in between them, white on black). I find it a simple matter to just "see" the black background figures when I use a Master V.

 

[peter_n]

Certainly have heard of QPR. My sense, though, was that the great chorus of "Who?" over here arose at the announcement of George Best's death. I'd heard of him, but he was a little before my time -- I'd never seen film of him playing, for instance. I'm sure the vast majority of sports fans here only know of Pele, in terms of soccer players from the '60s.

Very sad about George. You wonder if today's footballers will learn anything from it - probably not.

ManU made a right mess of things in Lisbon tonight...