Gossen Luna-Pro F light meter: Does anyone have any experience with Gossen Luna-Pro F light Meter? I'd be interested in the pros and cons. Thanks...

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Does anyone have any experience with Gossen Luna-Pro F light Meter? I'd be interested in the pros and cons. Thanks

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

I have one that I don't use very much currently but, should be able to answer most of your questions. Pros: I've owned one for unknown years & it hasn't quit on me yet. There are a couple of ways to get batteries with the correct voltage so the readings will be correct. Cons: You can't get the original mercury batteries. You have to be aware of your surroundings. You can't just point it and expect to get a good reading. I usually take 3 or 4 readings of various areas and adjust accordingly. I do have the spot attachment that lets me narrow down the reading area. Not the meter to use if you're shooting wildlife. I usually reserve mine for shooting macro work in my work area & landscapes.

Kuzano

True.
Fiddly and tricky to deal with the NLA Mercury battery situation. Not quick in action situations.

Whooops!!!!! Mistake on Battery used in the F
The Pro F is the flash meter which also works as incident and reflective. AND IT DOES NOT USE THE MERCURY NLA BATTERIES. IT USES STANDARD NINE VOLT batteries, which seem to live forever in this meter and is more stable.

Go to the Butkus manual site and look up the actual manual for the Gossen Luna Pro f... NOT the Gossen Luna Pro, nor the Gossen Luna Pro SBC. The SBC is the Silicon Blue Chip.... Not a flash meter, BUT longer dynamic range and better low light chip in the meter.

Disregarding need for flash metering the SBC is the more versatile meter. The Spot attachment is the same for all of them, mounts on the front and has two spot sizes... one for 7 degrees spot and one for 15 degree spot.

Kuzano

kcooke wrote:

Does anyone have any experience with Gossen Luna-Pro F light Meter? I'd be interested in the pros and cons. Thanks

Keep in mind that there are variants of the Gossen Luna Pro..... The Pro F, the SBC (silicon blue chip), LunaSix, etc.

Here is the link to the Butkus Gossen Luna Pro F manual. (note it is titled simply as the Gossen Luna Pro, while the pictures show the Pro F)

Confusing????

The Link to the one you mentioned in your original post:

http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/luna-pro_f/luna-pro_f-splash.htm

kcooke Loc: Alabama

nicksr1125 wrote:

I have one that I don't use very much currently bu... (show quote)

Thanks for the insight. My old wesson light meter bit the dust 15 years ago and i would like to get a meter that won't break the bank. I will be using it with my 1956 Rolliechord TLR mostly. Im getting ready to start shooting black and white film again.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Kuzano wrote:

True. br Fiddly and tricky to deal with the ... (show quote)

Thanks yeah this one uses a 9 volt. Yea!!Ill post pics of it in a while

kcooke Loc: Alabama

The guy wants $75. It is supposedly in good shape. Is this reasonable or not

BebuLamar

kcooke wrote:

The guy wants $75. It is supposedly in good shape. Is this reasonable or not

For nostalgia yes for real use no. The meter is worth the asking price because there are people who are willing to pay that price however I would rather get a Minolta Flashmeter III or IV for about the same price.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

BebuLamar wrote:

For nostalgia yes for real use no. The meter is worth the asking price because there are people who are willing to pay that price however I would rather get a Minolta Flashmeter III or IV for about the same price.

ok ill take that under advisement. There are no Minolta Flashmeter III or IV 's available locally but ill see what i can find on them. Thanks!

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

kcooke wrote:

The guy wants $75. It is supposedly in good shape. Is this reasonable or not

At $75, it is little overpriced. You can certainly get a working Luna-Pro F for under $50 on eBay. Two years ago I bought an excellent condition Luna-Pro F on eBay for about $20. As a light meter, I find it very reliable and accurate. Although sometimes I wish it was more compact, as it does take up quite a bit of space in my camera bag, and it is simply too large to fit into any of my coat pockets.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

rook2c4 wrote:

At $75, it is little overpriced. You can certainly get a working Luna-Pro F for under $50 on eBay. Two years ago I bought an excellent condition Luna-Pro F on eBay for about $20. As a light meter, I find it very reliable and accurate. Although sometimes I wish it was more compact, as it does take up quite a bit of space in my camera bag, and it is simply too large to fit into any of my coat pockets.

I.ll see if I can get it for $50. Size is not an issue. I will put it in myself photo backpack. Plenty of room!!

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

What is the intended use for the meter? Modern in camera reflective meters are very accurate.
If you want it for studio light shooting keep in mind that this Gossen meter was designed for film photography. There will be a difference in the exposure.
If you want the meter for film cameras it has an excellent reputation.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

camerapapi wrote:

What is the intended use for the meter? Modern in camera reflective meters are very accurate.
If you want it for studio light shooting keep in mind that this Gossen meter was designed for film photography. There will be a difference in the exposure.
If you want the meter for film cameras it has an excellent reputation.

I will be using it with my 1956 Rolliechord TLR mostly. Im getting ready to start shooting black and white film again

pendennis

kcooke wrote:

Thanks for the insight. My old wesson light meter bit the dust 15 years ago and i would like to get a meter that won't break the bank. I will be using it with my 1956 Rolliechord TLR mostly. Im getting ready to start shooting black and white film again.

You may want to consider something like a Pentax Spot Meter, either analog or digital. I'm using a digital Zone VI with my Mamiya C330s. I also use a Sekonic L508, which allows me to use incident, reflected, and "spot" features. The Minolta Autometer IV-F is also a good option.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

from my experience no cons, only pros. great meter, have 3 of them and none ever let me down.