Weston Master V question

[dreilly]

Picked up a Weston Master V for a song, and after getting the needle unstuck, it seems to be working. I have a question for those of you that have good Masters:

The two scales seem to yield slightly different results on the overlapping area. In other words, the dim scale (door open) might read 9. Closing the door, the same light might yield an 11 or so. The higher number is correct according to my EV chart for that kind of light. Is this normal?

Readings solidly in the lower or upper (ie, not in the overlapping area) scale seem to be quite dead on.

I know you're supposed to use the upper scale as a default unless it's too dim, and then revert ot he lower scale.

Anyone shed any light on this?

 

[je2a3]

IIRC, the manual states that if the reading is below the "10" scale, open the baffle to get more sensitivity and scale accuracy.

Congrats on your acquisition it's a very fine vintage meter!

Joseph

 

[dreilly]

Thanks for confirming what I wrote--that the upper scale seems to be the "dominant" one, ie, the one you start with and not the other way around.

But I'm still wondering if the discrepency in the overlapping area is normal or not if one does happen to start in the lower scale (say, because you're inside and you have a feeling you should use the lower scale.

thanks!
doug

 

[BrianShaw]

I, too, have noticed difference between readings on Weston's upper-range and lower-range where they overlap. I either use the upper-scale reading or split the difference and it's usually good enough. That might not be especially true, however, for 'chrome film or critical metering applications. In these cases I will use a Gossen Luna-Pro. I haven't noticed (which doesn't mean it doesn't exist) a difference between the upper- and lower-range scales on the Luna-Pro.

 

[Sean Moran]

Anyone shed any light on this?

Very witty, Doug.

Seán.

By the way, I've got a meter the same as yours and enjoyed using it until it let me down a few times ... by the needle sticking. Hope yours continues to work; it's a lovely retro device.

 

[servojohn]

This is common for most analog meters whether they are measuring light, voltage, current, sound, etc. The meter movement tends to be most accurate if your reading is up into the middle portion of the movement-either end could be less accurate. They are very cool meters.

Best regards,

John

Weston II, V, Ranger
Luna Pro Sbc
Awol: Ikophot meter on the gold chain, grrrr. 😡