I use the Gossen to get reflected light measure. I had already noticed under exposition on film, when using the Digisix but overall it was ok. I must specify here that the M8 is closer to reality than the Digisix, be it indoor or outdoor.Ĭlearly the Digisix indications are wrong, but I'm not satisfied with the M8 either. The truth is probably somewhere in between. I find the pictures of the M8 too bright and the ones taken with the Gossen Digisix too dark. The problem is I'm not happy with the results of both devices. As I was outdoor with my daughter, I decided to do both, that is take pictures trusting my camera and using my light meter, a Gossen Digisix, just to compare. Time and again I use an external light meter to measure light and choose the appropriate shutter speed. In practical photography, these meters mostly are not needed, unless you shoot with film.I'm not skilled enough to rely on my judgement alone when I take a picture. Reciprocity is checked by measuring at distance intervals of the square root of 2. There is no simple method of testing the accuracy of a light meter other than measuring a lamp with constant output at varying distances in a suitably large room without too much wall reflectance. However that does not imply that readings would be 'correct' unless you adjust them to your method and photosensitive material. Thus, if the meter works at all, it should be expected to work correctly. When CdS cells degrade, they mostly do so rather rapidly and soon attain infinite resistance. The only Gossen meter I have is a Sixtomat electronic, which still works wonderfully, as does also other quality light meters that I have. I don't have that meter, so I cannot say much about it. It is particularly the photocell that may alter its response, although mostly any change still is reciprocal, so it is easily fixed by your calibration.

Generally old meters work well, although age can take its toll, changing the parameters of components, so that readings may become less reciprocal than before.

Gossen always used quality components and they also were meticulous about consistency and reciprocity in their light meters. However, consistency and reciprocity are important, and all electrical components may change with age. Accuracy in a non-scientific light meter, intended for photography use, mostly is a moot point, as all light meters and methods must be calibrated before they may be considered 'accurate'.

Battery for gossen variosix f2 8