jonathan_stark Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Warning: gearhead equipment trivia, please skip if indisposed to this kind of thing! I received a Cosina VC meter for Christmas a year ago. For whatever reason, I'd never used it with my Retina IIa. I picked up that combo this a.m., thinking the meter would sit on the Retina's accessory shoe and the whole would make a nice compact package for my lunchtime picture-taking walks. It didn't work: the meter rubs on the Retina's rewind knob, making film advance difficult/impossible. The VC meter's body overhangs to the left of its shoe mount. The Retina's accessory shoe is to left of center on the camera, and the rewind knob is just tall enough to rub on the bottom of the meter. Geez, who woulda thunk it?!! Somebody, somewhere in this world probably once upon a time made an "accessory shoe extender" -- one more think for me to paw through the junk bins at camera shows looking for. Just when ya think ya got all the bits and pieces ya need...!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frank_scheitrowsky1 Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I don't have one so I don't know, but isn't it possible to move the foot to a different spot on the CV meter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silent1 Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 There are accessory shoe adapters that have a hot shoe connector on the bottom, a cold shoe on the top, and a PC socket on the side -- one of those will raise your meter about 1/2 inch, which should nicely clear the meter from the rewind knob without making the package too unwieldy. They're available new from camera stores for prices between $5 and $15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesmck Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 How about a <A href="http://www.cameraquest.com/voigtacc.htm#Double Accessory Shoe">"Double Accessory Shoe"</A>? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_oleson Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 the double shoe would work, but it costs more than my retina :)= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_fromm2 Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Go search around on the B&H site, eventually you'll find a cold shoe for flash for < $15. Good luck, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_elek Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Jonathan, this is the cold shoe-PC synch post thing. Very inexpensive -- you can pick them up at a Ritz (maybe at the Quakerbridge Mall) for just a few dollars. Because they're inexpensive, you might want to clip the cable.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troll Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Meter? I don' need no stinkin' meter. Youse is a WIMP! If God had meant for you to use a meter with a IIa he would have sold you a Contessa. (An yo mama wears Army boots.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_stark Posted February 23, 2005 Author Share Posted February 23, 2005 Bill, You're right! I'm SO ashamed of myself. Real Men shoot Kodachrome 200 by the Sunny 16 rule! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_stark Posted February 23, 2005 Author Share Posted February 23, 2005 Mike, Dan, Donald, I rummaged around at the B&H site, saw some of the shoe adapters you referred to. PITA to have to buy another little bit of kit I know darn well I'll misplace when I need it! James, The VC double shoe adapter would have to be the "C" model with the 10mm rise - the double shoe adapter also extends to the left, the lower "A" and "B" models would probably foul the rewind knob. Frank, I think it cannot be moved laterally - it would start to bump into the cover to the battery compartment. You make me think, though, I wonder can it be raised with some shims underneath? Depends on the length of the 3 attaching screws. Everyone, thanks much for your help and suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan flanders Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 If the VC meter has a locking dial I can see why someone might want to hang it on their camera, but if it is the earlier model without the locking feature it seems to me just another hindrance to efficient use of the camera. The coupled meter on older Leicas had a lock that would allow you to take a reading without removing the camera from your eye in addition to setting the shutter speed. Even with a lock -- but without coupling -- it is difficult to understand why the meter needs to be connected to the camera. The nifty little Metrawat that used to be provided for the Barnack Leicas was better carried in the pocket for the above reasons. I suppose it is a matter of "Chacun au son gout"! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bennybee Posted February 24, 2005 Share Posted February 24, 2005 Jonathan, I have a similar problem with the rather expensive Tewe varifocal viewfinder I bought for my Retina IIc (and other camera's): it fits but I can't move the little handle on the left of the VF to adjust the distance... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan_stark Posted February 24, 2005 Author Share Posted February 24, 2005 Harry, It's a VC meter 1 - no locking dial. I'd prefer to have it on the camera for the simple reason that it's a small object, and I've got an unfortunate tendancy to misplace small objects!! I'm hell with lens caps.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ross_chambers Posted February 27, 2005 Share Posted February 27, 2005 Pardon a belated response. The VC II meter is physically incompatible with the 'barn door' Vitessa, too. I t conflicts with the plunger film advance/shutter cocking rod, and moving the shoe doesn't fix this. However there is no reason not to just hold it in your hand, and it fits and looks well on the Prominent -- for those of the land of the left eyed (finally I found a viewfinder for we of the rotten right eye!) regards - Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan flanders Posted March 6, 2005 Share Posted March 6, 2005 When I'm using my Metrastar I wear it on a chain around my neck and slip it in my shirt pocket. But as I said before, "Chacun a son gout!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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