Vintage Sekonic Meter reading too low

<p>Hello all,<br>

I recently purchased an older Sekonic "Auto Leader" model 38 meter, however, the meter is far too insensitive. I've tried using the adjustment screw, and even at the highest adjustment, the meter still reads lower than expected. Is there any kind of internal cleaning I need to do, or is this meter just dead?<br>

Any recommendations would be very helpful.</p>

<p>Selenium cells loose sensitivity over time. - I have no clue how badly and how proportional, i.e. if setting it for 4x your ISO would make it usable.</p>

Get a new meter.

<p>¿Is it a selenium photometer? They lost sensitivity with time.</p>

 

<p>Establish what the correct exposure is and adjust the ASA or ISO on your meter so that you get the correct reading. Each time you use it, remember to reduce your ASA OR ISO by the same amount again.</p>

Sometimes exposing a selenium

cell to bright sunlight or

flashing it with a speedlight

can revive a low-output cell.

However, if that doesn't work

then the meter is near

useless since the loss of

sensitivity renders the meter

non-linear. A simple ISO

adjustment won't work except

over a narrow range of

readings.

 

In short, stick the meter out

in daylight for several hours, pointing at the

sky on its low light setting.

If that doesn't revive it

then bin it! It's not worth

the price of a replacement

cell.