Chinon CS light meter problem

[truls]

My Chinon CS should use the old Mercury type battery, 1.35V.

Here is a picture of the camera:


This in one of my favourite cameras. I have tried with various types of batteries, but the light meter seems unstable compared to a camera with a proper working meter. I end up using the sunny 16 rule, which always work ok. My latest try is a hearing aid type battery of correct voltage, but it seems to meter 1EV less than correct, and it is not quite stable..

The question is if someone of you have this particular camera, and how you solve the battery replacement.

[Stephen]

It may well be that the meter is just out of adjustment, and so save the hassle of a service, just re-set the ASA to compensate.

Zinc air batteries, cheap, (or the more expensive Wein cells), from Hearing Aids are the best solution, but it does vary with the state of the meter. They do not last as long as the mercury batteries or silver oxide do.

Also trying other types might put the meter circuit out, according to some service people. Frankly I can't see that a fraction of a volt with do any serious damage on most cameras.

It is possible, if you are very adept at soldering, to make an adaptor, it simply uses a voltage dropping BAT 81S Schottly Diode in a discarded 625 case, details are on the net.

If the camera comes apart easily, then wire permanently into the circuit, and add packing to the battery compartment to take the smaller silver oxide cells.
These adaptors are also made commercially, again see the net.
Stephen

[Doug T.]

Hi truls!

You could always use a hand-held meter.
Is that an Industar lens on your camera?

Doug

[truls]

Stephen: If I set ISO to 25 I get correct readouts from Chinon CS, so, ISO 400 is ISO 25... Well, it worked. I assume the meter is broken in some way, or out of adjustment. Thanks for the soldering avice, it might work.

zook5256: A handheld meter is a good idea. I don't know anything about this, which type or what they cost. Is a used handheld meter an idea? Well, can anyone here sell one? I pay what you require. The lens is Industar 50-2. Stopped down to f.8 or f.11 the sharpness is most pleasing. Here is a picture from Copenhagen this summer, the small red shop is where my wife and I bought the best chicken in town, so its an holiday memory only:



Industar 50-2 @f.11
Kodak Colorplus ISO200
The scan is not good enough to represent the sharpness, but you get the idea.

[daveh]

Hand held meters: I have a Weston Master with Invercone. As it has a selenium cell there is no bother with batteries. The Invercone gives incident light readings, which some claim is better, especially for reversal film. I do have (or at least have had) a few others over the years. Some fitted onto the accessory shoe. I suppose the answer is have a look at ebay to see what is on offer. I wouldn't think a working meter in good condition will be selling for too many krone, unless it is a "collectible" model.

p.s. I like the photo of Copenhagen. The lady coming out of the shop seems to be saying "Is that all they have given me?"

[mickeyobe]

"p.s. I like the photo of Copenhagen. The lady coming out of the shop seems to be saying "Is that all they have given me?"

Meanwhile, two doors down the street, the sign painter seems to have misjudged the size of the sign he was painting.

Mickey

[daveh]

Mickey, yes.

It's rather like that poster "Think Ahead" where there is insufficient room to get the h e a d on the same line.

[mickeyobe]

Sept 19, 2012 9:23:43 GMT -5 daveh said:

Mickey, yes.

It's rather like that poster "Think Ahead" where there is insufficient room to get the h e a d on the same line.

Or the more laconic "THIMK".

Mickey

[daveh]

;D

[Berndt]

An iPhone would be an option too. I don't own one, but looking around, most people do meanwhile. The light meter app on it is more than excellent. You can point with your finger on any area of your picture and get detailed readings. A lot more fancy features ... and well, as most people carry a cellphone in their pocket anyway, an extra light meter wouldn't be needed.

[lloydy]

Here's some useful information on obsolete camera batteries.

www.smallbattery.company.org.uk/sbc_s625px.htm

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