I have been monitoring ebay for quite a while now - no luck
Does anyone have any tips where else I could find an affordable (aka used) pentax digital spot meter (shippable to germany)? I would be willing to spend about 250 Euro.
Why, particularly, Pentax digi? Size? My wife has one, but I'm as happy with the analog, and that leaves me with a spare Gossen Spotmaster 2.
yes, size is one reaon, but more important is the possibility to read the values when it´s dark as it has leds. I have been shooting a lot at night lately, wildy guessing the exposure and bracketing. So I thought that this meter would come in handy. Another reason is also that I started delving into the zonesystem and Mr. Adams seemed to like that meter in his books
You might also consider the Soligor Digital Spot Sensor II. It's every bit as good as the Pentax, and a lot less expensive. I have two of them and have had nothing but the best results with both of them. One of mine is rebranded as an Adorama meter, but it's the same thing. There may be other rebranded examples, but they are the same meter. Here's a link to a KEH.com offering to give you an idea of the look of the thing:
I second the suggestion to try a different brand. I just got a Minolta digital spotmeter for less than $50. Without extensive testing, it seems as accurate as my Zone VI modified Pentax digital spotmeter and is just as easy to use. Also, for night use I think you'd need a small flashlight with either meter, because my Pentax uses dials for the meter settings, and they aren't illuminated. -Laura
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Laura's point about the scales/dials is unanswerable, and besides, the analogue Pentax has a light built in so you can read the scales in the finder, just not on the side... I think the Minolta meter has a light-up digital panel on the side (it's years since I used one, but I was very impressed indeed) but I know for a fact that the Gossen lights up inside and has no external scales. It also uses the little blocky 9v battery, not the weird battery that Pentax calls for.
If you really need something that can be used in very poor light levels, I'd recommend either the Minolta (admirably compact) or the rather bulky Gossen, but I'd add that if light levels are that poor, you'll not be able to take shadow readings anyway, because the meter won't be sensitive enough (the SEI Photometer usually is, but that's another story). Highlight readings for tranny should be no problem, of course.
I always found the Gossen meter(s) to be much more sensitive in low light situations than the Pentax Digital spot meter, by a few stops or so. For night photography, I could get accurate 10 second exposure readings(approximate) with the Gossen. Could not do that with the Pentax. I pull the toggle switch down on the Gossen and leave it down for a while until the meter reading stabalized. I used Plus-X, asa 125.
I understane that Pentax is no longer making the digital spot meter. So, I just bought a new one at Calumet, they had them in stock. I wanted an extra one while I could get it. I do have a used one, but something now rattles a little when I shake it. It feels a little like a part has come loose inside. I don't know how to open it up and see if I can fix it easily enough. If I can get that fixed up, I might sell the used one. It is modified by Zone VI, but I removed the zone sticker because I didn't use it or like it.
If anyone knows how to open one up, I'd appreciate the info. I might be able to help out the thread owner, but I don't want this to sound like a for sale ad. I'd be just as happy keeping it.
It is modified by Zone VI, but I removed the zone sticker because I didn't use it or like it.
What exactly does this modification include except applying that sticker ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by reggie
If anyone knows how to open one up, I'd appreciate the info. I might be able to help out the thread owner, but I don't want this to sound like a for sale ad. I'd be just as happy keeping it.
I do have a used one, but something now rattles a little when I shake it. It feels a little like a part has come loose inside. I don't know how to open it up and see if I can fix it easily enough. If I can get that fixed up, I might sell the used one.
Check the battery compartment. I dropped my meter on pavement recently and the mounting base for the battery broke off. Your symptoms sound the same... it may be the loose battery rattling around.
What exactly does this modification include except applying that sticker ?
A Zone VI modified Pentax Digital Spot Meter is calibrated to be used with Kodak Tri-X B&W film. Basic zone system film testing is still needed to fine tune your film. The sticker is merely for convenience.
finding an affordable pentax digital spot meter 
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