Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/10/10
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]<fontfamily><param>Helvetica</param> I've been down these roads... all you want is a Pentax/Zone VI = spotmeter. It has - -- no exposure lock - -- no contrast range reading - -- no multipoint averaging - -- no incident capability - -- no high/low range - -- no flash facility and for all these reasons it is a more practical tool than anything = else. It only does one thing: measures a 1=BA spot and measures it = instantly and perfectly with the same perception as b/w film. =20 We know that the average caucasian face is about a Zone VI - and that's = a lot of mileage. The rest of the zone system you can keep in your = head. Too little spread in the shadows? Pull. Too little in the = highlights? Push. Too much range? Use Rodinal in standing regime. = That's the whole thing on the 80/20 rule. Notes: (or, to all the meters I once loved) (1) The Super Pilot is too fragile, even though it looks like a baby = Luna-Pro (2) Some old Luna Pros don't like to stay fixed and the replacement = battery sets from Gossen don't register with the battery check function = - - the meter can go an entire stop off without the battery check warning = you - so change the batteries 1x yearly (3) New black Luna Pros aren't as nice (the plastic case is... well...) (4) Digital Luna Pro takes some getting used to (its lack of -4 EV = capability is probably meaningless). The Luna Pro S (the standard model) is still a great meter for = all-around use and dreadfully cheap. Dante On Tuesday, October 10, 2000, at 12:07 PM, Douglas Cooper wrote: <italic>At 12:01 AM 10/10/00 -0700, you = wrote:</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>> > Get a digital Gossen Luna Pro = digital. It has so many great = features,</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>> > you'll be amazed. ... Super = meter,</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>A nice meter. I used it for a bit, but = marginally prefer the Luna Star F2 = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>-- more robust construction, and I = prefer the feel of the buttons. Also, a = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>swivelling head, which makes incident = readings *much* easier. But it's = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>pricier, and a bit larger. Either = meter is good.</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>Of course, the traditional choice is = the Luna Pro SBC. I miss mine -- = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>astonishing low-light sensitivity. But = it's bulky, fragile, and a bit = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>awkward to handle -- also, the dials = sometimes turn on you without your = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>noticing, which can be a disaster. = Still, there's nothing like it for = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>available = darkness.</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>I've thought of getting a Pilot or a = Scout, just for the sheer </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>portability. Mind you, the Luna Pro = Digital isn't much larger.</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>Avoid the Meter of the Moment -- the = Sekonic L-508. Silly combination of = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>features: a virtually useless spot = meter (not enough sensitivity to meter = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>shadows); waterproof case (which is = laudable, except the meter's too large = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>for anything but studio use); = absolutely nothing else of interest, except = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>the dial that replaces buttons -- a = nice touch, but not worth a few hundred = </italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> = <italic></italic></color><italic>dollars.</italic><color><param>0000,0000,= 0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>This meter seems popular with camera = salesmen...</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> = <italic></italic></color><italic>cheers,</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0= 000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic>Douglas = Cooper</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> = <italic></italic></color><italic>_________________________________________= _______________</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic> 1stUp.com - = Free the Web</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param> <italic></italic></color><italic> Get your free Internet access at = http://www.1stUp.com</italic><color><param>0000,0000,0000</param>