Weston Ranger 9

[visiondr]

I just picked up a Weston Ranger 9 light meter on evilBay for the low, low price of $30. I haven't put batteries in it yet. I understand the batteries it was originally designed for no longer exist. I plan to send it away to have it cleaned up, calibrated and if need be, have the battery conversion done.

I haven't decided whether to keep the Ranger 9 as I already have a very nice Weston Master V. I picked up the Ranger 9 because it has a little viewfinder and supposedly allows a bit of "spot" metering capability. However, it is substantially bigger than the Master V and as such, won't easily fit in a pocket.

Now, to my question; to those of you who have this meter: are you happy with it? What are the advantages/disadvantages you've encountered?

Thanks.

 

[dexdog]

I just picked up a Weston Ranger 9 light meter on evilBay for the low, low price of $30. I haven't put batteries in it yet. I understand the batteries it was originally designed for no longer exist. I plan to send it away to have it cleaned up, calibrated and if need be, have the battery conversion done.

I haven't decided whether to keep the Ranger 9 as I already have a very nice Weston Master V. I picked up the Ranger 9 because it has a little viewfinder and supposedly allows a bit of "spot" metering capability. However, it is substantially bigger than the Master V and as such, won't easily fit in a pocket.

Now, to my question; to those of you who have this meter: are you happy with it? What are the advantages/disadvantages you've encountered?

Thanks.

I own one of these, and had it overhauled by George Milton of Quality Light Metric, in Hoolywood CA. It wsas basically tuned up and converted to accept #625 1.5 alkaline cells in place of the original mercury batteries (now sadly banned). Anyway, as you stated, it is a pretty chunky meter. On the other hand, it is quite accurate and performs very nicely in the field, provided that you leave the ridiculous leather case at home. The "spot" metering is an 18% field of view if I remember correctly, while most meters usually measure about a 30% field of view.

Disadvantages: size and weight, needs mercury batteries.

Advantages: accurate, easy to operate, 18% field of metering useful in constrasty situations, has both high and low light scales to make reading the needle easier. If converted, alkaline batteries are readily available online.

It's a classic, and one of my favorites

 

[visiondr]

It really does sound perfect save for two things, one of which you and I have already mentioned; size. The other issue I have is, does this beast do incident readings? It didn't come with a diffuser/cone attachment like my Master V has.

 

[nikon_sam]

Old Westons

Old Westons

I picked up a like new Weston Master II at a local antique swap meet and it matches with a Luna Pro SBC...very happy with that...
I found this site when looking for more info on it...
www.westonmeter.org.uk/

 

[dexdog]

The other issue I have is, does this beast do incident readings? It didn't come with a diffuser/cone attachment like my Master V has.

yes, the meter is capable of incident readings, but you need to find the 1/2 inch diameter white plastic dome to slip into the metering port. It is pretty nondescript looking, and probably not something that one would recognize otherwise. I bought the incident dome for mine for $7 from Quality Light Metric.

The meter works very well in incident mode, within about 1/3 stop compared to my Gossen LunaStar F.

 

[visiondr]

Thanks dexdog.

Perhaps I'll send it down to George and get it fixed up.
The worst case scenario is that I end up not liking it and some lucky RFFer can take it off my hands. Really and win/win. A very nice old meter gets a new lease on life and a photog gets a nice old meter.