Wein WP-500B Standard - Incident Flash Meter Cat. No. 950-010 (Standard)

Rating:
Summary: makes the difficult easy
Review: If you use electronic flash in any type of difficult or unusual situation where the results really count, this meter will take the guesswork out of setting the proper exposure. It uses a standard 9 volt battery and allows you to test the battery for adequate strength before using the meter. There are a couple of steps to manage before reaching the suggested lens opening for a proper exposure. It is not a simple matter of firing a flash unit and using the f/stop indicated where the needle freezes on the dial. The exposure calculation chart on the back of the unit is a little confusing. For example, does "adjust f/stop +2/3" mean f/5 becomes f/4 (larger opening) or does it mean f/4 becomes f/5 (larger f/number)? It turns out to be the latter, not the former. A label needs to be added to the unit by the user to avoid confusion after long periods of non-use. I would recommend anyone buying this meter shoot some test frames in anticipated working conditions to see if any compensation is required to achieve the desired results. My unit was purchased used at a flea market. I use it to figure exposures inside a large, dark-toned church sanctuary. I opened the unit and adjusted one of the potentiometers to get the desired results, but now my unit gives me proper exposures for great skin tones every time.

Rating:
Summary: makes the difficult easy
Review: If you use electronic flash in any type of difficult or unusual situation where the results really count, this meter will take the guesswork out of setting the proper exposure. It uses a standard 9 volt battery and allows you to test the battery for adequate strength before using the meter. There are a couple of steps to manage before reaching the suggested lens opening for a proper exposure. It is not a simple matter of firing a flash unit and using the f/stop indicated where the needle freezes on the dial. The exposure calculation chart on the back of the unit is a little confusing. For example, does "adjust f/stop +2/3" mean f/5 becomes f/4 (larger opening) or does it mean f/4 becomes f/5 (larger f/number)? It turns out to be the latter, not the former. A label needs to be added to the unit by the user to avoid confusion after long periods of non-use. I would recommend anyone buying this meter shoot some test frames in anticipated working conditions to see if any compensation is required to achieve the desired results. My unit was purchased used at a flea market. I use it to figure exposures inside a large, dark-toned church sanctuary. I opened the unit and adjusted one of the potentiometers to get the desired results, but now my unit gives me proper exposures for great skin tones every time.