I'm contemplating buying a used Gossen Luna Pro to use with my M3. The later model Luna Pro SBC uses a 9v battery, but what about the prior model? What kind of battery does it use and is the battery difficult to find? Also, are there any little-known pitfalls about this meter that I should be aware of. Thanks a lot for your help.

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), February 12, 2002

Answers

Dennis, if you live in Canada the downside of buying a Gossen is after sales support... slim to none.

Ever consider a Sekonic? L408 is a great little meter with a built in spot. Its pretty small compared to my L508 and cheaper. If I had to do it all over again I would've bought the L408 cause I don't really need a 1 degree spot or the rotating incident head.

They come up on ebay from time to time.

-- John (ouroboros_2001@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.

I don't know how far back you're going, but my Lunapro F (the predecessor to the SBC) also takes a 9V. I really prefer the analogue type meter over the digital for available light shooting (though for strobe work I prefer the digital). I find it helpful to be able to see all of my shutter speed/aperture combinations at a glance rather than doing the mental calculation or scrolling through the readout on a digital meter. As well, though I've had pretty good luck with meters in general, when talking to my friends it seems the analogue meters hold up better, but I have not stats on this.......

-- Bob Todrick (bobtodrick@yahoo.com), February 12, 2002.

Thanks for the responses so far. I've learned that the original Luna Pro uses two PX13 batteries which, I've also heard, may be difficult to find. Anyone familiar with the availability of this battery?

Bob, I agree with you about analogue meters. I like to see the combinations of shutter speeds and f-stops. In fact, even when I use my M6 I take along a hand-held meter and take periodic readings to guage the light, and I pre-set the M6 accordingly. Then I use the on- board M6 meter to fine tune the exposure before shooting.

Thanks again for the help.

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), February 12, 2002.

I agree with Bob about analogue readouts. It's the same with a wristwatch. I still use a Gossen LunaSix which agrees exactly with my R4s and my wife's Contax. (Uses a 625 battery)

-- Tony Brookes (gdzz00@btinternet.com), February 12, 2002.

The meter takes a mercury battery. At least in America they are banned. In other countries it is possible to get them.

-- Chad Hahn (thehahns@cornhusker.net), February 12, 2002.

I found the answer at the Bogen/Gossen website. They sell a converter in order to use 1.5v silver batteries instead of the original 1.35v mercury batteries. Thanks for the replies.

Dennis

-- Dennis Couvillion (couvilaw@aol.com), February 12, 2002.

Here's lots of info from another forum:

Photo.net Thread

-- Hil (hegomez@agere.com), February 12, 2002.

Dennis, I was about to tell you about that conversion kit when you posted that you had learned of it. I have it and can say it works perfectly, as one would expect from Bogen as most all their stuff does. That's the way to go.

-- Alec (alecj@bellsouth.net), February 12, 2002.

After having used several meters, including the Sekonic 308, Sekonic 318, a Gossen Luna Pro, a Gossen Luna Pro F, and the Leica MR meter, I prefer the Luna Pro. Over the years I've memorized light according to the Luna Pro 1-22 scale (each number represents twice as much light as its predecessor). I'll look at a scene and think "That's about an 8, with highlights up to 10, and shadows down to 5." Then I translate that into exposure. I didn't really plan to have it work out this way, but after years of Luna Pro use, that's what happened.

I also rarely use reflected light meters any more, so the Leica MR meter is long gone, and I ignore any in-camera meters I own. Incident readings, coupled with a bit of experience, are more accurate, IMHO.

The Sekonics are OK, especially the 308, but their self check that occurs every time you turn the meter on is annoying, and if you leave it on, the battery is cooked. My 308 was stolen, but if you're interested in the 318, it's new in the box. Make me an offer! B&H retail on the 318 is $239 + shipping.

On it's plus side, the 318 has an attachment to allow it to accurately measure luminance, the Gossen does not. It's silicon sensor reads about 100 times faster than the old Luna Pro (not the F, however), and the sensor swivels around atop the meterso you can point it at the scene and simultaneously see the readout. They also use the common AA battery, the Gossens do not. Read more about it at their website

The Luna Pro is about 4 stops more sensitive, and I much prefer it's ergonomics.

-- Tom Bryant (boffin@gis.net), February 12, 2002.

My earlier model Gossen Luna Pro (analog version, a very accurate meter) takes a 1.5 V mercury battery, which is no longer sold in the USA (htoguh there are substitutes that work fine). This battery is still sold in Europe (I believe), so they can be found. (IT is the same battery that the Leicameter MR takes.)

My Gossen Luna Pro says "Made in West Germany", but it is still one of the most accurate and reliable meters ever made.And they don't bias the meter readings as the manufacturer often does with SLRs, to reflect how the maker thinks most user's will use the camera.

-- Eliot (erosen@lij.edu), February 12, 2002.

I agree that analog meters are the easiest to interpret. But they are getting more scarce. When I dropped my analog/mechanical Minolta Autometer, they refused to repair it--parts not available. I replaced it with the digital Autometer. It's just as good as the ealier one, except for the fact that it's digital. But curiosity led me then to a Luna-Lux (9-volt battery), accurate, but it's too bulky; then to a Luna-Pro Digital F. That's the one that goes with me for Leica photography. The size is right, and I trust it for both reflected and incident readings now.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 12, 2002.

Oh, and the Digital F takes an ordinary 1.5 V. AA penlight battery. Top THAT!

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), February 12, 2002.

Dennis,

I use an old Gossen Luna Pro that my wife picked up long ago and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. It has never malfunctioned. I've found it to be more accurate then the M6 internal meter. A photo equipment shop sold me an adapter sleeve that allows the use of currently available batteries. You can search around and download a manual off the Internet, but operation is pretty intuitive without one. I picked up a used spotmeter attachment that measures 7 and 15 degrees at a photo equipment swapmeet and enjoy using it, though it the leather case that comes with the meter will not close with the attachment in place. I think you would be very pleased with the older model Gossen Luna Pro, unless you're intent on having a meter with a digital display.

-- Peter B. Goldstein (peter.goldstein@us.cgeyc.com), February 13, 2002.

Gossen uses different product names in Europe and US. I presume you mean this model? I had an old Gossen Luna Pro for years (actually the european version: Lunasix 3). As already mentioned it has a CdS cell and uses the -now also in Europe- hard to find mercury cells. You need to add the cost of recalibration or adaptors.
It is a great meter and very sensitive (although the CdS cell is rather slow in very low light).
The "pitfall" and the reason I sold it, was the dual scale system. In available indoor light I often found that I would get a reading of a little above "12" on the "Low" scale, and a little below "12" on the "High" scale. One would think this would be a "close to 12" reading, but the meter could in this "out of range" position be up to 1 stop off a correct reading in either direction.
Other than in this situation the meter was always right on.
I now use the Gossen Sixtomat Digital (aka Luna Pro Digital) and enjoy the digital readout more than I thought I would.

-- Niels H. S. Nielsen (nhsn@ruc.dk), February 13, 2002.

Dennis, I bought a used Luna Pro S, sent to to Gossen USA, and they inserted the battery adapter, fixed a loose dial, and calibrated it. Having used a Luna Pro back in the early 70's, I knew beforehand that it was the meter I wanted. There's something that an analog dial gives you that digital readouts simply don't. Use the meter well.

-- Jeff Polaski (polaski@acm.org), February 13, 2002.