Voigtlander CLR metering.

[fidget]

I've been looking into replacing the lightmeter cell on my CLR.
Recenly, I bought a CL (no rf) by mistake (Ebay GAS), but was thrilled to find that the metering on this camera works well, even if it otherwise has shutter problems. It is within 1/2 stop agreement with my HH meter over a good range of light from ev9 to about ev16.
I'm going to transfer the cell to the CLR which I believe is the same metering.
Is there something I can do to the cell to help to preserve it?
I had read that moisture kills these, so was wondering if a coat of varnish might help to keep it.
What do you think?

Dave.....

 

[ErnestoJL]

Hi Dave!

Moisture, heat and years are the worst enemies the selenium cells have.
Unless you cover it from the very beginning with some enamel (whiach all manufacturers did at factory), you won´t get any benefit at all, much less after many years. This problem arises from the cell making, as it is a chemical reaction that´s very slow but once started, it won´t stop until the cell is chemically stable again, it is light isn´t anymore able to release free electrons from the selenium. Light adds speed to the process, so the more light the faster it is.
Probably, the camera you bought was stored in a dry and dark place for some time and this caused the cell to stay alive.
The only you can do now is to keep the cell in darkness as long as you can (may be in the nER case) and expose it to light when shooting.
BTW, why no to exchange the whole meter assy? is it far different from the other camera?

Cheers

Ernesto

 

[fidget]

Thanks Ernesto,

I had to wait for an extra day when light was better. There was some disagreement between my Digisix meter and the camera when used to meter under a spotlight (it could have something ot do with the angle of view). In daylight, they agree well, within 1/2 stop in the range I've tried, although this excludes very bright light.
The meters assemblies are different between the CLR and CL that I have. The CLR meter can be seen through the VF (very nice!) so appears to have a different position under the case.
So it looks good. The VF is very nice indeed, especially when comparing to an FSU VF. One to one with frame lines, just right.

Dave...