I just recently purchased the above meter, used. It seems to be accurate in that it matches pretty closely the readings from my girlfriends new Sekonic spotmeter. However, if I try to take a reading that is less than about 5 or 6 EV's it will read zero. I have to activate the meter from a more brightly lit place, keep the trigger pulled and move back to the darker area for a reading . The readings taken in this way are accurate. Is this behavior normal for a Pentax digital meter or is something in need of attention ?

-- Paul Mongillo (pmongillo@thurston.com), May 11, 2000

Answers

Paul...

In very dim light I also must activate the meter by first using it on a brighter area and then moving into the shadow. A minor inconvenience at worst. Since the readings are correct I wouldn't worry about it.

Steve

-- Steve Nieslony (sejn@pacbell.net), May 11, 2000.

Ask Richard Ritter at: rrlg4mat@sover.net He knows more about these meters than anyone I know. Mine sure doesn't do that.

Tell him I said "Hi".

-- Alec Jones (alecj@bellsouth.net), May 13, 2000.

Paul,

at low light levels it starts at "0" and you have to wait about 4 or 5 seconds before it jumps to the correct reading. The light "loads" the circuitry and by pointing at a brighter area, you speed up the loading. If you stand in almost total darkness, just wait a few seconds and it will give a reading. Also: it will take a reading below the specified 1 EV, it gives 1/3 and 2/3 EV. I haven't seen a spotmeter that can go that low.

Bert Otten

-- Bert Otten (e.otten@med.rug.nl), November 29, 2000.