Pentax Spotmeter V Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: David Pennington
(Professional)

Review Date
June 10, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Review 1 of 8

Price Paid: $375.00 from B&H - ten years ago

Summary:

I is a great piece of fine machinery. Very precise. I stopped using it after digital came, but now I am experimenting to use it with digital. The 'jump' on the highlights can be reasonably previewed. Also, being analog rather gives us an edge on feeling the light vary continuosly. Very good.

Strengths:

Stability, precision; also, strong construction. Optically dound, uses a pentaprism.

Weaknesses:

Non, really. The older model had two buttons, one for high light level, other for low levels. It was a nuisance. The current model has only one button and is fine.

Similar Products Used:

Gossen pro SBC with adapter for 5°

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Rating
Reviewed by:

HymanGlick
( Professional)

Review Date
January 3, 2008

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Review 2 of 8

Price Paid: $180.00 from ebay

Summary:

I had a spotmeter years ago. Since becoming digital for the last 10 years. I have not needed. As low and mid cost weddings have started to dry up. I have gotten into very large family portraits - 60" and up and gone back to Hasselblad and Mamiya Film.
I remembered this meter from years ago and found one on ebay for buy it now of $180.
So far it has worked like a charm. I like to meter the highlights and shadow for about 3 to 1. It will meter on the fly and change readings as you move along the subjects.
I couldn't be happier. Great tool as you can visualize in your mind how the image will look without the help of digital back or polaroid. There are no suprises when you return to the lab for your proofs.

Strengths:

Very easy to use. Simply pick the EV you want.

Weaknesses:

None really - it's style is a little old and clunkey but, then that is the idea of going back to film. Overheard by me as a client was telling club member friend..."He uses film you know"

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic 358 flash meter with pocket wizard for digital photography.

Customer Service:

None really. Meter came with no batteries. A quick trip to my local hardware produced 3- 76A's

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Rating
Reviewed by: VanMeter David
(Intermediate)

Review Date
June 28, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
4.36 of 5,
14 votes

Review 3 of 8

Price Paid: $250.00 from Cord Camera

Summary:

Everyone I have let try this meter has fallen in love with it. The meter performs in all weather and temperatures. And most importantly, it is accurate!

Strengths:

Simple to use and dead on after Zone VI conversion

Weaknesses:

Size is cumbersome but I find it very ergonomic and difficult to lose. Low light lamp is less than adequate.

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic L-398

Customer Service:

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Rating
Reviewed by: David Munson
(Expert)

Review Date
March 21, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5,
3 votes

Review 4 of 8

Summary:

Never had any issues with the battery or had any problems to speak of with mine. I've used it in all sorts of conditions and have yet to have any major gripes with it. Definitely worth a look if you're in the market for a spot meter.

Strengths:

Zone VI modified version is dead on every time and the zone scale makes zone system work a snap. Simple, straightforward design makes use quite intuitive.

Weaknesses:

Not the best meter to use in really low light, when low values fall into a range that the meter can't handle.

Similar Products Used:

Quantum Calcu-Light XP

Customer Service:

N/A

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Rating
Reviewed by: Michael Fanelli
(Expert)

Review Date
January 3, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 5 of 8

Summary:

This is basic spotmeter that does exactly what it's asked to do without frills. The readings are accurate, at least based on the excellent 6x7 transparancies I get using it's readings.

Contrary to what another poster wrote, it does NOT use mercury batteries, just standard A76 which are readily available everywhere in alkaline or silver oxide (lasts a bit longer). A great value.

Strengths:

Does the job!

Weaknesses:

A bit large.

Similar Products Used:

None

Customer Service:

Fixed once in approximately 10 years. Service was fast and cheap.

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