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Scott
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« Reply #30 on: January 08, 2010, 01:47:36 PM » |
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I thought about that, Larry, and do that with the Spotmatic battery where it's voltage independent. But with the Super Pilot, I've read that using non-1.35 volt batteries messes up the accuracy, and the error isn't linear across the scale.
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jamesmck
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« Reply #31 on: January 08, 2010, 04:19:10 PM » |
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Scott - Unless something has changed recently, the Wein cells are zinc-oxide batteries the same as those for hearing aids, some with a washer around them to make them bigger in diameter.
James
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James McKearney
Washington, DC
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Alan Gage
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« Reply #32 on: January 08, 2010, 04:19:40 PM » |
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Sure you don't want to pony up a few more $$ and buy a new one? I've had a Sekonic 308s for a few years now and couldn't be happier with it. It's not too big and it's thin so I don't even notice it in my pocket. Reflective or incident and it's a flash meter as well. It's fairly cheap too, though I think they've gone up a bit in price since I bought mine. Takes one AA battery.
I carry it with me almost any time I have a camera, even my P&S. I use it in incident 99.9% of the time and I never realized just how inaccurate my camera meters were in most situations until I started using it. Still today there are times I'll think it must have gone whacky when I look at the review image and histogram. But when I get back to the computer I realize it was dead on.
Never once regretted buying it, can't imagine being without it.
**Edit** Oops, after reading the rest of the post I see I'm late to the dance and that you've already got one.
Alan
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« Last Edit: January 08, 2010, 04:24:30 PM by Alan Gage »
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Scott
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« Reply #33 on: January 08, 2010, 04:35:34 PM » |
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James, the Wein cells differ (according to their website) from regular zinc-air hearing aid batteries in the voltage they deliver. And the Super Pilot is a voltage-dependent meter...
Alan - I appreciate the input, anyway!
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« Last Edit: January 08, 2010, 04:42:38 PM by Scott »
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Scott
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« Reply #34 on: January 11, 2010, 08:27:37 AM » |
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Well, the Super Pilot arrived today ( that was fast!). Ran out to CVS to get some ZA 675 batteries (which are a close 1.4V, and are easily adapted to fit - giving them a try). The meter responds and is in great shape. Now I just need to figure out how to use it... :rolleyes: Woo hoo! |
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radiophoto
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« Reply #35 on: January 11, 2010, 08:44:55 AM » |
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I tried Rick's method of wrapping wire around the cell but it kept popping out, so I splurged for Jon Goodman's little cell adapters and never looked back. Man's a genius, far as I'm concerned.
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Pete (Corpus Christi, TX) Every professional should remain always in his heart an amateur. - Alfred Eisenstaedt (1898-1995) My Website
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Scott
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« Reply #36 on: January 11, 2010, 08:48:45 AM » |
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Pete, I've got the cell wrapped in aluminum foil right now, but I'm not sure it's making consistent contact. If I can get used to using a handheld meter, I'll likely spring for one of Jon's adapters...
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Scott
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« Reply #37 on: January 11, 2010, 09:28:22 AM » |
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Well, near as I can figure, the Super Pilot's accurate. It's a little iffier in low light, but I think that might be inherent to a CdS meter. In bright light outside, it reads the same as the meter in the 20D. I've read that voltage differences manifest themselves more in brighter conditions, so I'm hoping I'm ok for now.
Now to get out and try it out... :cool:
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jamesmck
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« Reply #38 on: January 11, 2010, 10:40:05 AM » |
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I've used Rick's wire method (making the ring small enough so there's a snug fit), and rubber O-rings work well (#7, as I remember). Jon's adapters are well worth it. Foil may restrict air supply, but you've probably taken note of that).
James
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James McKearney
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Scott
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« Reply #39 on: January 11, 2010, 10:58:08 AM » |
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Yeah, James, I made essentially a rolled up foil "wire" and wrapped the outside edge with it to make full contact in the compartment. Dunno if it's that great a fix, but it's not restricting air flow.
It's really neat to actually have an accurate handheld meter. :cool:
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jamesmck
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« Reply #40 on: January 11, 2010, 11:39:37 AM » |
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Scott - I just looked, and I have more #7 rubber O-rings than I need. Give me your address and I'll mail you a few to try.
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James McKearney
Washington, DC
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Scott
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« Reply #41 on: January 11, 2010, 12:39:02 PM » |
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Thanks for the offer, James, but I'm pretty sure that with this meter, the battery needs to make contact along the periphery. I don't think a rubber O-ring'd work...
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jamesmck
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« Reply #42 on: January 11, 2010, 01:01:32 PM » |
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I'm pretty sure that with this meter, the battery needs to make contact along the periphery. If that's the case, then Jon's adapter may not work as he has a bit of foam inside the rim of outer case. The metal ring from a Wein cell could be re-used on the ZA-675 batteries. I just saw a picture of the battery chamber on the Super Pilot and it does look like contacts are on the bottom and sides, with none on the cover. Does the battery go minus-side down? |
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James McKearney
Washington, DC
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Scott
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« Reply #43 on: January 12, 2010, 06:05:47 AM » |
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James, these go in minus side down. I just had a look at Jon's adapters, and I'm not so sure they'd work, either...
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