kryn_sporry1 Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Has anyone got experience in using a Weston V for metering reflective light? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cpj Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Yes I've used them for years and own three. They are selenium cell meters that react by the amount of light generating a tiny electrical current. Just check it out against a good camera with a built-in meter or a modern battery-powered meter and if it is within a half- stop it should be fine. The Weston V meter has a very good cell and a wide reading range, much better than the earlier models. Besides, you can lock the needle while taking a reading by pushing down the button on top and then releasing it while holding the meter on the subject. (It won't work at all if you don't push the button.) Remember, it is a "wide area" general light meter, but you can always take a substitute reading off of a small handheld 18% gray card or off normal, white skin. White skin readings should be placed opposite the little red block marked 2Xc to the right of the pointer on the meter calculation wheel. This compensates one stop for the skin color. Real dark skin readings should be placed opposite the 1/2a block to the left of the pointer to compensate for the darker shade. Those little red blocks around the dial are used in connection wth the Zone System, but the two that I mentioned are the ones you most likely will need unless applying the Zone calculations. It's a good meter for overall average readings and can also be used in cases where you can walk up to the subject and read the deepest shadow area where you want detail and the brightest highlight where you want detaill and then use the dial markings to work out the correct compromise exposure on B&W or on color film. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry_lehrer Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Kryn,-- The Weston V ia PRIMARILY a reflective meter. Only with the Invercone can it be used as an incident meter. It is a very fine meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_cook Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 I have and still use a Weston Master V that was given to me as a high school graduation gift in 1965. I keep it in the case with my Rollei 2.8F. I also have the Invercone. I dropped mine a few years ago and sent it to Hollywood Light and Metric for repair. They replaced the spring and calibrated it. BTW, it matches the built-in meter in my Rollei almost exactly. Great meter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kryn_sporry1 Posted March 20, 2006 Author Share Posted March 20, 2006 Sounds like it is pretty decent... So if I understand correctly, it meters like a "centre weight average" reflective meter normally, and as incident meter with the dome fitted. Is there a factor to consider when using it differently, or can I just use a setting that will allow it to be used as incident or refelctive metering? Sorry for all teh questions. I'm just trying to make up my mind if I should get one on ebay, or if I should go for a more modern Sekonic L-558 (which is indeed something totally different). The more flexibility the better. I'd like to use it mainly as reflective and incident, but spot metering would be nice as an option... (I understand this is out of the question with the weston). Considering it is going for 60+ GBP in england on ebay, I wonder if instead I should get either an L358, with the option of getting a 1 degree spot meter adapter later for it, or an L558... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob loxley Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 You can easily get a Weston V with Invercone in excellent condition with 6 month warranty for under �40, so I'd pass up the Ebay offerings at �60+ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kryn_sporry1 Posted March 20, 2006 Author Share Posted March 20, 2006 which one has preference: master V or Euromaster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy m. Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 I use a Weston V. It's fine to use as a reflected meter so long as you understand metering, i.e. where to point the meter for a given situation, <i>which I am sure you do</i>. Without that knowledge even digital spotmeter can be next to useless.<p> Having said that, I prefer to use a Sekonic digital meter for convenience. The Master V is a very nicely made meter though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wharridge Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 The Weston Master V is a great meter for both reflected and incident, however where I find it lacking is in low light sensitivity. You will notice that the low light end of the meter scale is quite compressed. ...Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chauncey_walden Posted March 20, 2006 Share Posted March 20, 2006 Kryn, the Euromaster was a later version built in the UK and the latest was the Euromaster II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin_elliott Posted March 22, 2006 Share Posted March 22, 2006 Kryn, It is really an "Averaging" meter. It gives equal weight to the whole area; no central weighting whatsoever. I have used Westons for the past 40 years mainly in Incident mode with the Invercone. I highly recommend these meters...deadly accurate when used in conjunction with the meter between your ears. (as ALL exposure meters require). My favourite is the Euromaster, which I purchased new in the 1970's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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