Gossen Luna-Pro S Light Meters
Gossen Luna-Pro S Light Meters
USER REVIEWS
[Nov 20, 2010]
Richard
Expert
Strength:
Accurate, repeatable, rugged, handy, extra sensitive: the needle brake is absolutely necessary when it is measuring light levels where you have to use a flash light to see the reading!
Weakness:
Have to replace the battery once a decade I suppose. I've had mine for 40 years. It is impossible for me to invent a superlative that would better the other comments left her.
Customer Service Never needed. Similar Products Used: As I am an engineer and scientist with 5 photonics patents, the other light meters were self designs employing Photomultiplier Tubes. |
[May 10, 2010]
Barry
Professional
Strength:
as above
Weakness:
none.......kinda big by in camera modes Built really well. Accurate, never let me down.
Customer Service never used it. Similar Products Used:
|
[Jan 05, 2010]
Robert Kornfeld
Expert
Strength:
It is the best tool for the job unless you have a specialized need like a flash meter or a color analyzer. To me it has a great feel, like a well broken-in twin lens Rollei or a smooth shifting five speed car. If that is the kind of feel that you like, you will love this meter too.
Weakness:
If you want a spot meter with a very small angle for determining your contrast range (like if you are developing b&w sheet film) then the spot attachment may be too imprecise, and a digital spot meter would be better, although I feel that if you are familiar with your equipment you know how to interpret the data.
Like some others I learned from my dad using this type of meter in the 1960's. Once you get accostomed it is very quick and intuitive. I like this meter more than digitals that I have owned because you can see the whole story in one glance rather than navigating bits of information one at a time. I like using reflected and incident readings, and using the optional spot attachment.
Customer Service never had a problem Similar Products Used: Weston, other Gossen, various digital |
[Jul 08, 2000]
Arty G
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
Luna-Pro S
Strength:
Very very accurate. Ease of use - intuitive. Spot attachment. Exposure Range. Analog!!!
Weakness:
No mercury batteries however Gossen sells an adapter. I first learned photography with my Dad's Luna Pro and an old Exacta when I was 13. The meter has been in use by me ever since. The meter has always worke flawlessly and the readings are still dead nuts on! Although many meters have come and gone the Luna Pro is still in my case! Customer Service Never needed it in approx 30 years Similar Products Used: A multitude of other meters. |
[Jun 02, 2000]
Prince Caspian
Professional
Model Reviewed:
Luna-Pro S
Strength:
Built like a tank/dependable
Weakness:
CDS cell exhibits memory effect Bought mine in '75 and it's still ticking and just as accurate, so is my Gossen sixtar/super pilot that I bought used the year before. If you do night work or work with very low existing light, this meter is unmatched at it's price to performance. Old meters are the same as current ones and DO NOT require the use of air cells because of mercury batteries being unavailable in the states. Gossen provides an adaptor/converter for alkaline replacement types without any modification or recalibration and is part of current meter. Zone system compensation was originally a field modification of the meter by Fred Picker. Gossen's inclusion is convenience to those students of the Zone System and not a function of the meter or needs additional amplification in the operator's manual. In 28 years, several camera systems/accessories have been used/worn to "beyond economic repair" status. Only my Luna Pro,Sixtar,Leica M4's,Leitz Tiltall,and Bessler 23C have been rugged enough to survive over a quarter century of daily use and abuse to be still dependable and remain in use today. If I had to replace it today, I'd be hard pressed to select anything else that compares. Customer Service Never needed in 26 years Similar Products Used: Weston Ranger |
[Apr 03, 2000]
Bob Todrick
Expert
Model Reviewed:
Luna-Pro S
Strength:
Simplicity of operation
Weakness:
None found so far As with watches and pretty well everything else, the fact that the Luna Pro is analogue is its big draw. At a glance you can see the entire F-stop/shutter speed combinations without having to run up or down a scale. No small thing in my mind. Customer Service None needed Similar Products Used: Gossen digital |
[Dec 23, 2000]
Sandy Rand
Expert
Strength:
Tremendous accuracy, compact, intuitive operation!
Weakness:
None. The best meter for the money. Excellent for low light measurements. Accuracy is absolutely the best. One hint for outdoor photographers using the Luna-Pro S in extreme cold: The SR-44 silver batteries stop operating at 10-15F. Use a lithium 1/3N camera battery and it is good to -40F. The 1/3N is totally compatible with this unit, and is less expensive than the silver batteries. 'Nuff said! Customer Service Never needed. Similar Products Used: Most Sekonic digitals. |
[Nov 24, 1999]
Shawn McEwen
Intermediate
Model Reviewed:
Luna-Pro S
Strength:
Accurate. Well made. Ultra reliable. Made in Germany. Have 2 of them!
Weakness:
None. And you never will! I believe this classic meter is a classic for one reason--it's one of the best handheld meters on the planet. Precision is written all over this thing. It's made in Germany, so what do you expect? Crap? Never. There are two negatives. The instruction book is not that clear. Example-for the life of me I cannot seem to understand how the Zone System part of the meter's dial works. The instructions offer no help. It is absolutely mind boggling. I just cannot figure it out! Second negative-the older Luna Pros use an out-of-production battery. They will only use the dubious Wein battery. The newer meters of course use a more readily available battery. So be careful if you find a good deal on an older unit. Customer Service Good. Similar Products Used: Other Gossen meters. |