WTB Working Selenium Light Meter

Looking to buy a working (and hopefully accurate) light meter, the old selenium type. Accurate or close to accurate would be best. Not looking to spend much, since from my understanding they generally go for around $10-$20? Doesn't really matter what brand, just would like a nice working one.

 

Thanks

Ebay has lots for sale

Yes, I know, however I'm kind of hesitant since most sellers have no idea how they work and I'd rather spend the money here on one that I know works to some degree.

Selenium meters are not immortal.

 

For that reason, look for such posts as

Mike Elek: Meter repair

 

I have a bunch of meters of all kinds. Most are no longer working. Often "Sunny 16" estimates will work just fine for modern negative films.

I've had loads of these over the years. Even if they are working, the output from the selenium seems to drift over time and I've never really trusted them - even the classic Weston meters aren't immune. The Norwood Director and its later Japanese incarnations are probably the best, but some older meters tend to be calibrated to obsolete speed rating systems, and have small, fiddly setting and reading dials which my eyes (and brain) are finding it harder and harder to use.

 

Like this old AVO exposure meter:

 

The AVO Exposure Meter Comes Full Circle

 

It still responds strongly to light and I've now got around to doing what I'd planned - calibrating it against my digital Polaris meter by inserting a strip of card between the meter and case, next to the pointer, and marking the various exposure values on the card. All I've got to do now is scan the original hand marked card, tidy it up in Photoshop and print a different card for 100, 200, and 400 ISO's. Then I can use it for cameras with exposure value shutters. And after 80 years I doubt that the strength of the selenium will further drift significantly during my lifetime.