I have returned to basics. No autofucus no program mode etc I am using an M3 for all my needs with a 135mm and 50 mm setup. I have an old MC meter that is semi dead, I am metering in my head, but I would like to have the confirmation that I am doing it right. Is it an oprtion to have the old MC meter to be repaired or is there a guide/ calculator/ product that I can use to guage the accuracy of my pics?

-- Clayton A Nickel (nickelca@yahoo.com), June 25, 2001

Answers

With a little practice you could probably guesstimate exposures as accurately as an MC meter, especially a semi-dead one. The hardest place to guess exposure is in contrasty or very low light, and the wide-angle selenium meters were never any good in those areas anyway. I wouldn't waste money trying to rescue the MC. If you want a new meter, get a Sekonic L-208 Twin-Mate, which also clips into the flash shoe and has a memory-lock and narrow reading angle. Much more sensitive than even the MR-4 Leicameter.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), June 25, 2001.

There hasn't been any parts for the selenium cell meters for decades. I like my battery powered Leica meter,(called a MR) and still prefer the shutter coupled meter for faster shooting.

-- Andrew Schank (aschank@flash.net), June 25, 2001.

It is still possible to repair the old selenium meters "sometimes". It is also possible to adapt parts from other sources. Here are chaps that specialize in meter repair:

Quality Light-Metric

Attention: Mr George Milton

7060 Hollywood Boulevard Suite 415

Los Angeles, California 90028

323-467-2265

Personally I would just get an old MR meter as the CdS cell is much better in low light where estimating gets a little harder. I also happily carried a Sekonic Studio Master (selenium and still in production) around for years.

Cheers,

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), June 25, 2001.

Hi, Clayton: I'm back to basics too and most of the time I shoot with my M3s based on guesstimations derived from my particular approach to Sunny-16 plus Zone System. Most of the time it works. But for difficult situations I bought a Voigtländer VC meter from Stephen. It is an extremely small instrument aimed to be used as a clip on meter. However it doesn't get engaged in the exposure adjusting knob of your M3, the way the old MC and MR Leica meters did, so that its ability to work as clip on meter is doubtfuly helpful but for it to be at hand. The case is that I own two M3 bodies and I chose at random the one I'll use next so that switching the VC frequently from one M3 to the other or finding that it is mounted on the camera I left at home became rather bothering to me. As a consequence I began using it lose in my pockets and don't mount it on the cameras any longer. Not that I wouldn't buy another VC from Stephen but specially because I can check my exposure estimation when needed even before making the camera or my intend evident to anybody around and can shoot very fast once I decide to do it. The wrong thing is that due to its small size you need both hands to adjust the VC. Otherwise, it is a highly commendable meter. Now I also own both MC and MR Leica meters but the MC is dead beyond repair after a local technician tried to bring it back from a half dead condition and the MR is erratic for unknown reasons and,most importantly, it uses a mercury battery which is not imported in Chile any more. I have read much about possible replacements but didn't get convinced enough by any of the alternative possibilities. Final conclusion: I'll buy a non clip on meter that could be carried around lose in my pockets and adjusted/read using one hand only. Most possibly a match needle type the kind that keeps the measured value available once you point it away from your subject. Of course I clearly understand that an important decision making factor concerning one's photo gear is one's personal preference on items not related to practical reasons at all but still I hope this note could be of some help.

Regards, Clayton. Enjoy your photography.

- Iván

-- Iván Barrientos M (ingenieria@simltda.tie.cl), June 25, 2001.

I also like the L208 with my M3; but as an aid to learning to dispense with meters entirely except in the trickiest light you might also try this calculator from Black Cat: http://www.teleport.com/~bcat/guide.ht

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), June 26, 2001.

that link was to supposed to end html, sorry........

-- david kelly (dmkedit@aol.com), June 26, 2001.