Light meters
WESTON DIRECT READING EXPOSURE METER User manual
User manual for WESTON DIRECT READING EXPOSURE METER. 17 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Weston
- Model / document
- WESTON DIRECT READING EXPOSURE METER
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 17
- File size
- 4.0 MB
- Category
- Light meters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
EXPOSURE tuIETER KINow YDUR R
FRONT OF METER REAR OF }TETER
^t;f
cn=Mike Butkus, o=ButkusMike DigitallyDN:camera signed by Mike Butkus manuals, ou=butkus.org,
Butkus email=mike@butkus.org,Date: 2021.05.05 19:33:06c=US-04'00'
t Direcl Reoding f: Slop qnd EV Scoles Ei.Exporure Inderer
2 loop for Neckcord 6 Photoelectric Cell
3 Shutter Speed Xnob (Whitel 7 Rolory Crporurc Indcr Plolc
4 Shurer Speed Xnob (Gold) A Zero Correclor
I lypc of Comero
tExporure Indexes (film rpeeds) ore indicoled on lhc lotory Erporure Indcr Plolc in
boih whiie, ond gold colored numerolr. When uring lhe white Erporure Indcrcr, lhe
rhutter speed you relect murt be tet on lhe lcft hond Shuttcr Speed Knob (Whitcl.
When uring fhe gold Exporure Indexer, lhc rhuller tpccd nurt bc rcl on lhc right
hond Shuifer Speed Knob (Gold).View original page 2Page 3 · Read text
n www.butkus.usYOaR q VrTH
STILL CAMERAS
For perfect color or black and white pictures follow
these three easy steps.
the exposure index and shutter speed on
the meter.
the meter at the scene.
directly in camera settings (f/stops) and
set your camera accordingly.
FOR EXAMPLE: Refer to the film manufacturer's data sheet,
or to S'eston Exposure Index circular F-2912 for the ExposureIndex (lilm speed). an Exposure Index of 10, th"n- '\ssume
SET. l0 oppoiite "STILL" on the back of the meter by turn- FIG. Iing the Rotary Exposure Index Plate (See Figure l). Sellct the
shutter speed- on th^e front of the meter (See Figure 2) by turn-
ing the lelt hand Shutrer Speed Knob until th1 desired'speed
appears on the knob, assume l/50 second (shorvn as l/sdNl).
AIM the meter at the scene.
READ the f/stop indicated by the meter pointer. assrrme (f /B\.
rou nou set your camera at I/B rvith a shutter speed of l/S0
second for correct exposure.
NOTE: Mosl piclures con be loken ol l,/50 second. However, slower
or fosier rhulter tpeedt con be rei on the meler by merely
rololing lhe Shutier Speed Knob. Refer to poge i lo,
plonotion of fhe proper Shuller Speed Knob lo use wifh"r- white, ond gold colored Exposure Indexer. F'G. 2View original page 3Page 5 · Read text
YOUR R VITH MOVIE CAMERAS
Again there are only three easy steps for correct expo'
sure of color or black-and-white.
the exposure index and 1/50 M on the meter.
the meter at the scene.
directly in camera settings (f/stops) and
set your camera accordinglY.
FOR EXAMPLE: Refer to the film manufacturer's data sheet,
or to Weston Exposure Index circular F-2942 for the Exposure
Index (6lm speed). Assume an Exposure Index of 10, then- FIG. 3
SET f O opposite "\IOVIE" on the back of the meter by turn'
ing the Rotary Exposure Index Plate (Figure 3). Turn the lelt
hand Shutter Speed Knob on the f ront of the meter to 1,250 M
(Figure 4).
AIM the meter at the scene.
READ thc f/stop indicated by the meter pointer, assume $/B).
www.butkus.us You norv set your camera at f./B for a camera operated at 16
frames per second.
NOTE, When operoting your movie comero ol rpeedr other ?hon l6
FIG. 1 fromes per second refer lo the toble on lhe opporile poge.View original page 5Page 6 · Read text
www.butkus.us
CAMERA SETflNGS AT OTHER THAN 76 FRAMES PER
SECOND READILY INDICATED ON THE TABLE BELOW.
Most motion picture cameras can be ture cameras operating at 16 frames per
qet at B, 16, 32 or 64 frames per second. second. If you desire to operate your -Sixteen frames per aecond is usually camera at a speed other than 16 frames
coneidered to be tJre normal speed for per second, the following table should
silent movie cameras. Your D7n i"ai- be used.
cates the correct f/stop for motion pic-
FTAilE5
PET ilsroPs or cAilErA sErilNcS
SECOND
2.8 5.6 ll r6 32
16 ll t6
32 1.4 tl r6
1.1 2.8 tl r6
From this toble the correcl f /stop for 8, 32, ond 64 fromes per second con be instontly
found, once the correci f /stop for l6 fromes per second ho: been determined
Exomple: Hoving deiermined f/l I to be the correct comero setting ot 16 fromes per
second, lhe correct setting ot 8 fromes per recond for lhe rome scene-is l/16.View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
CAMERAS CALIBRATEDYOUR R WITHIN,EXPOSURE VALUES
The D/R is calibrated to be direct read- usual manner, turn the lclt hand Shutter
ing in'Exposure Values (EV), and can Speed Knob to "EV", aim the meter at
be used with all cameras having Ex- the scene, and set your camera with the
posure Value scales. EV number read directlv from the meter
After setting the Exposure Index (film scale.
speed) on t}e back of the metei in the
usrNc vouR I]IETER wtrv ExPosuRE tINDEXES HIGHER THAN 250
Fibng with Expogure Indexes sbove 250 can be used with your D/R meter by relerring
to the table below.
3ol Erporurr
Exporurc Inder lndor Plote At
320 l@ t/ttop
400 2@ t/ctop
500 2so l/tlop
650 2so l/*op
800 zfi l/tlogt
r000 2s0 l/ttoqr
EXAMPLE: If you wish to use film hav. and take your reading in the usual man-
ing an Exposure Index of 320, set the ner. Now use the next higher numbered
Exposure Index Plate to 160 opposite f./stop rather than the one indicated by
"STILL". Set the desired shutter speed the meter (e.g. if f/5.6 is indicated, use
on the right hand Shutter Sp""d Knob f./8, or if. f/L6 is indicated use t/22).View original page 7Page 8 · Read text
www.butkus.us ArhrrNG arvD READn{G YOUR R
AIilT AT THE SCENE Hold the meter so the photoelectric
cell is not shaded by your hand or anvr For outdoor general scenes, tilt the meter other object.
downward a spot midway between Always read what you are shooting your feet and"i the horizon io prevent . a general scene, read the overall
reading sky areas which tend to inflate scene a dog, read the dog a
the reading. person, read the flesh tones of ihe face.
,t/
//((
.'l
7,View original page 8Page 9 · Read text
ruBLE OF ADDITIONAL SHATTER SPEEDS
If your camera has shutter speeds which do not aPpear
on the shutter speed knob of your D/R, the correct f/stop
for these speeds can be easily found by referring to the
table.
The table shows f/stops at f/50 (M) and l/I00 of a
second on a white band. Above and below this band are
additional shutter speeds and f/stops. Once the correct
f/stop is determined for either the 1/50 or I/100 shutter
speed, as explained below, f/stops for other shutter speeds
can be instantly found above or below in the same f./stop (>.- column. ,/,.' '///
I FOR EXAMPLE: If you are using an Exposure Index indicated
by white colored numbers on the Exposure Inder Plate, set l/50 M
,lt on the lelt hand Shutter Speed Knob and take your reading (as-
sume f/8) . Across from l,/50 M in the table locate f,/8. Above and
below in this f,/8 column are equivalent f/stops for any of the
shutter speeds listed in the left hand column. For l/30 second, theI
correct f/stop is f/10; for l/60 second, f./?; Ior l/300, f./3.2, etc.
www.butkus.us The same procedure should be used for gold colored Exposure
Indexes except that the l/100 shutter speed on the rlgit hand
knob is used as a reference and the speeds in the right hand
column are used.View original page 9Page 11 · Read text
HOW TO fuTEASARE EXPOSURE
COLOR OR BLACK AITD WHITE
. aim your D/R directly toward the . . . when there is but one object of inter.
center of the scene from the camera posi- est in your scene take a close-up reading.
tion. Avoid reading sky areas. Hold the meter about six inches away
from the object. Make certain your read-
ing does not include any unwanted light
behind, or to the sides of the object.
Avoid reading shadows cast by the
meter or your hand.
. . . (highlights and deep shadows), read . . . if the subject is inaccessible for a
the lightest and darkest objects of impor- close-up reading substitute a nearby sim.
tance. Use the f./stop midway between ilar object in the same light. Nearby
the two readings obtained. For example, trees for trees in the scene, the palm of
if the dark object reads I/4 and the light the hand for a person's face, etc.
object f/32, use f/ll. In color photog-
raphy disregard all white and black ob.
jects and measure only the colored ones.
r0View original page 11Page 12 · Read text
HOW TO MEASARE EXPOSURE www.butkus.us
COLOR OR BLACK AIVD VHITE
BEACH AND WATER SCENRS rection is necessary so the meter can be
. . measure the brightest and darkest objects and use the f/stop midway be- :1:3:-:]::J:":IIII
tween, or take a close-up reading of the INTERIORS
principal object. Pictures of people on . when using photoflood lamps use
the beach are best made by taking close- the Tungsten Film Speed number listed
up readings. in your Exposure Index circular. Take
-I-IIII-II--- the meter reading close to the principalSNOW SCE/YES object in the scene rather than at the
. . . snow acts like sand and the same in. camera position to avoid large dark
formation applies. Best snow texture will areas which result in low readings and
be shown when the snow is back or cross ot":t*ootutt:
lighted. Use substitute readings when it is rr r r r :-r- -not desired to disturb the snor{ surface. SUNSETS
. . . take an average reading of the sunsetHAZY SCENES and expose your picture with this value.
. . . to reduce the effect of haze in distant Buildings, trees, etc. on the ground will
or mountain scenes, and at high alti- be underexposed and, therefore, black
tudes, use a haze filter. No exposure cor- but this is quite effective.
llView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
ITINTS FOR COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY
1. Expose color fibn only in the kind of extremely bright and dark areas. Color
light for which it was made and in the itself will provide ample contrast in t}e
case of Daylight film only betrreen the picture. Have the object of intereet in
recornmended hours of the day unlees full sunlight where the color of the light
color correction filters are used. is that for which the film is balanced.
2. k sure ttr€ exposure meter is set to 4. Take close'up readingc of the brighteet
the proper fihn speed rating for the film color. Remember that black and white
being us€d. are not considered colors and are, t}ere-
3. Select scenes which do not eontain fore, not rneasured.
ZERO CORRECTOR
Vibration or shock may cause failure of pointer is directly over t}re left edge of
the pointer to return to the zero position the first f./stop block on the meter scale,
when all light is excluded from the photo- as illustrated.
electric cell. The pointer can readily be
restored to the zero position by adjusting
the zero colrector on the back of the
meter with a small screwdriver or the
thumbnail. Exclude all light from the cell
opening by rotating the Exposure Index
Plate until it fully covers the cell open-
12 ing, hold the meter at about a 4.5o angle,
and turn the zero corrector until theView original page 13Page 14 · Read text
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CHECK YOUR EQUIPMENT
It is possible that slight errors in camera making trial exposures of the same scene
shutter speeds, lens calibrations, as well at different erposure indexes to deter-
as exposure meters may be additive and mine if any compensation is necessary.
result in consistently over- or under- If your pictures indicate equipment er-
exposure. rors change the listed exposure indexes,
Your camera and exposure meter should lowerine them if consistentlv underex-
be tested together as a working team by posed and raising them if overexposed.
METER WINDOW
The window of your D/R has been window, the window should be wiped
treated to prevent static electricity from with a cloth dampened in a detergent,
afiecting the pointer. If at any time the or an anti-static solution.
pointer seems to be attracted toward the
CARE OF YOTJR METER
Although ruggedly constructed, your not harm the meter but temperatures in
meter is a precision instrument and excess of 130oF, which you might find
should receive the same careful handling in the glove compartment of a car, ma,v
as you would give any good camera. affect the meter's accuracY.
Normal temperatures and humidity will
r3View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
SERVICE MCIUTIES
Should your D/R become damaged or fail to
operate properly, it is recommended to first check
the zero setting, as described on page 12. If the
zero setting. is not at fault, return your meter to your
dealer or, if not convenient, send it to the Service
Division, Weston Instruments,2530 Polk St., Union,
New Jeraey.
Attach an identification tag clearly showing your
name and address. Careful packing is important to
avoid damage during shipment.
To avoid delays in handling, please do not send
instruction books, carrying cases and other accel.
sories with the meter.
t 14. .N \rView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
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Weslon Model 854 Exposure Meter is protected by the following U. S. Potenh:
2,#3,770, 2,6l.7,809, 2,810,319 o Conodion Potentr: 460,978, 559,228
Other potentr pending
D/R ic o regittered ?rode-morl of Weslon Inrtrumentt
r5View original page 16From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.
