Gossen SUPER PILOT SBC User manual

SUPER PILOT SBC - INSTRUCTIONS

C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s . . .
.'. on becoming the owner of a SUPER PILOT SBC exposure meter! Your new
meter is a product of GOSSENGMBH, D-8520Erlangen,Germany(West) - manu-
facturesof precisionelectricalinstrumentssince 1919,and one of the outstanding
pioneers in the design of exposure meters.
Many millions of GOSSEN exposure meters are in use all over the world, giving
their owners reliable service year after year.
We know you will be pleased with your SUPER PILOT SBC and that it will give
you faithfulservicefor a long time to come. Preciselybuilt and carefullycalibrated,
its advanced design incorporatesthe advantagesof a Silicon Blue Cell (silicon
photo diode) for speedy measurementwith excellent color correction.
Pleaseacquaintyourselfwith this fine instrumentby reading the following pages
carefullywith your SUPER PILOT SBC at hand, thus getting off to a good start
for consistentlygood results.





                             www.butkus.us

Reading the Scales





                                      Cine Cameras
 Still Gameras                       Cine frames per second'12, and inter- '2, '4, '8                            mediate markins tor    36, 48, and          etc. are fractions of seconds:
 1lz,1lr,r/s sec. etc.                   72 t.p.s.
                                      Note: On certain cine cameras,the ex-
 Unmarkednumerals1,2, 4 etc. are full  posure at 18 f.p.s. is not r/gosecond. seconds.                                          Effective exposure time for  f.p.s. can'1m,    2m, 4m etc. are minutes.           be read  at corresponding f-stop on
 th, 2h are hours.                      lower (still camera) scale. Check in-
                                          structions for  correct exposure time
                                              for your camera!

BASIC SETTING

Determinethe ASA film speed rating of
the film in use -  from the film box or
film instruction sheet -  and turn the
film speed setting knob (12) with your
thumb (as shown), or with a coin, until
the ASA numberof your film is lined up
with the silver triangle at the ASA scale
window (13).





                           www.butkus.us

Testing The Zerc Position
To test the zero position of the indicator needle, hold the SUPER PILOT SBC
level, without activat!ng the On-Off Switch (21, and look vertically down on the
needle (17).lt should line up with the zero setting mark (7). To adjust the needle
position, turn the zero adjustment screw (19) on the underside of the meter.


                                                           r - ,r "- lBatteries   Battery Test                  L'
The SUPER PILOT SBC operates with two  1.35V
Mallory PX 13 or PX 625 batteries. The  life of the
batteries depends on your use of the meter.
 It is advisableto check the condition of the batteriesfrom time to time: Press
the small button (211under the eyelet for the neckstrap(8) while observing the
indicator needle (17). During the battery test, the needle should move to within
the battery test mark (14). Otherwise,f resh batteries must be used.
To replace the batteries, open the battery chamber (20) by turning its cover
from "ZUlLOCK" to "AUF/OPEN"; remove the cover and batteries.Insert fresh
batteries in correct position, €ls shown in d iagram on back of meter. Replace
cover with arrow pointing toward ,,AUF/OPEN" and turn to "ZUILOCK".
After inserting fresh batteries, immediately make the battery test described
above.
4

                           www.butkus.us

OPERATINGCONTROLS
I   On-Off Switch/Needle Lock (21 -  This control turns the meter on to make a
    reading when depressed part way until resistance is felt. After the needle has
    settled,pushingthe switchfully locks the needle into place so that a measurement
   can be made even where the scale.is not readily visible because of the position
    of the meter or due to dim light. While the scale is locked in place, you can
   convenientlyadjust the computer dial to get the proper reading.
   High-Low Selector Switch (11) -  Selection of two sensitivity ranges of the light
    intensityis accomplishedby moving the high-low selector switch. When pushed
   towards the bottom of the meter, the meter will be in  its most sensitive mode,
     i.e., it will read its lowest level of light. When pushed up towards the front of
   the meter, the sensitivityof the meter is adjusted to read high light intensities.
      lf in doubt as to the range to use, always siart with the high range.
   Spherical Diffuser (1) - The spherical diffuser allows instantaneouschange from
   incident to reflected readings.For reflected readings the diffuser is slid all the
   way to the right side of the meter, fully exposing the measuring window. For
   incident readings the diffuser is slid to the center portion (where it's held by
   a click stop) covering the measuring window. The meter is read directly when
   measuring either incident or  reflected light, with no adjustments of meter
    sensitivity necessary.

AIMING THE METER
                                                                oN,r"\@ffi                                                                        .4A\                 i
              \\/,/..-: €  ..,-|-:' v
                                                                          t--'/





Reflected Light Measurement             Incident  Light Measurement
To measure,hold the meter as indicatedfor reflectedor incident light measure-
ment and press the On-Off Switch (2) until you feel resistance.When the meter
needle (17) stops moving, turn the computer ring (3) until the needle (17) is
lined up throughthe center of the circle of the yellow follow pointer (16).
The follow pointer is coupled with the computer which now gives you complete
exposure informationin combinationsof f-stops and exposure times (4 and 5)
for still cameras,or f-stops and f rames per second (9 and 10) for cine cameras.


                           www.butkus.us

MEASURINGAND READING                                                       ;
Your SUPER PILOT SBC offers you the advantage of easily measuring either
the light reflectedfrom the scene, or the incident light that illuminatesthe scene.
Thus, your meter can give you reliable exposure information under all kinds
of picture-takingconditions -. one of the special advantagesof a hand-held
exposure meter! With either method of measurement,the SUPER PILOT SBC
allows you  to take continuous readings or  to  lock a  particular reading as
desired.

Red Signals (6 and 15) mean "off limits"!
lf, during measurement,the meter needle (17) stops under one of these signals,
simply switch to the other measuringrange. lf the needle stops under the small
red signal (15),slide the selectorswitch (11) UP, and measure in the high range;
if the needle stops under the large red signal (6), slide the selector switch (11)
DOWN, and measure in the low range.

HELPFUL FACTS ABOUT LIGHT MEASUREMENT
 Reflected Light Measurement.When you point your SUPER PILOT SBC (with
uncovered measuring cell window) from the camera position towarcj the subject,
 it measuresthe light reflected by all parts of the scene, averages it and indicates
a suitable exposure.And, for most subjects,the exposure indicated by such an
overall reflected light reading is perfectly correct. (When large sky areas are
included in a scene, direct the meter slightly downward to exclude light from
the sky which would result in too high a reading.)
 lf the scene contains strong contrasts in brightnessor color, it is preferableto
measure that part of the scene which requires the most accurate exposure. For
negativefilms, this is usually a darker area which is to show detail in the final
print; for color slides or movie films the lighter areas are usually favored. To
measure such important areas, get closer to the subject but not so close that
your own shadow or that of the SUPER PILOT SBC falls on the subject. Such
close-up readings are especially appropriate if an important darker subject is                                        II
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           lrbacklightedor when an importantbrighter subject is against a dark background.                   l
Or, instead of taking a close-up reading, if the subject is inaccessible,you may       -   It
take a substitutereading by pointing the meter at a nearby subject which receives
the same illuminationas the actual scene, and which is similar to the subject.
(Your own ski parka or a nearby flower, for instance.)


8
                           www.butkus.us

Incident Light Measurement.The most convenient way to determine exposure
for scenes containing extensivebright or dark areas, i.e. contrasty subjects, is
by means of an incident light measurement.Simply slide the diffuser (1) over the
measuring cell window and point the meter, from the subject position, toward
the camera. Thus, you measure all the light which illuminatesthat part of the
subject which faces the camera. lf the subject is too far away, point the meter
toward the camera from another position which receives the same light.

Setting Your Own "standards"
Although general standards have been established for   f ilm speeds, camera
shutters,lens apertures,etc., it is possible that -  for one reason or another -
the results you get by using all these standards,do not please you. Critical
photographersusually make actual performance tests of  all their equipment
to establish their own standard of film speed ratings to harmonize with their
particular camera, lenses, projector, etc.  lf your color slides are consistently
too light, simply set your SUPER PILOT SBC for a higher ASA number; if they
are too dark, use a lower ASA number.

FOOTCANDLEEQUIVALENTS     .
The table on the back of the SUPER PILOT SBC shows approximatefootcandle
and lux values (1 fc   :  11 lux) correspondingto the scale readings obtained
by incident light measurement.(For fc equivalents,set the ASA scale at 50 and
read the exposuretime at f/8.) However,the SUPER PILOT SBC cannot be used
for accuratefootcandlemeasurementsbecausethis would require a flat diffusing
screen, whereas the spherical diffuser of the SUPER PILOT SBC is specifically
designed to  achieve superior collection of  the  photographically effective
illumination:Photographicsubjects are usually three-dimensionaland they are
illuminatedfrom many differnt directions (sun, sky, reflectionsfrom buildings,
trees, ground etc.). However,the footcandle table can be of practical value for
measuringdirect light beams, e.g. arc lights, spots.LONG EXPOSURES- RECIPROCITYFAILURE         Bu{/Os- ut  FI
Film manufacturersbase the published"speed ratings" of photographicemulsions
on average conditions of exposure times and illumination under which such
emulsionsare "normally" intendedto be used. However,photographyunder poor
light conditionsmay call for "abnormally"long exposureswhich may cause some                                                                                                          tI$films not only to lose "speed", but to change their color balance as well. This
behavior of photographicemulsionsis due to a phenomenoncalled "reciprocity
failure". Since various types and makes of films react differentlyto extended
exposure times, it is impracticalto incorporatethe many possible variations in
the SUPER PILOT SBC scales.

1 0

                           www.butkus.us

It is advisable to write to the lilm manufacturer for information concerning the
     necessary exposure correction and filtering for color correction of the specillc
      film whicfi you plan to use with extended exposure times

   YOUR GOSSEN SUPER PILOT SBC
      is a valuableprecisioninstrument,made with great care and accuratelycalibrated.
        It deservesyour good care!
    The battery and zero position tests described on page 4 enable you to check
     the proper functioning of your SUPER PILOT SBC.
    Measuring comparisonsof your SUPER PILOT SBC with similar or other Wpes
     of exposure meters cannot be made properly without special laboratory eduip-
    ment (optical bench).
    Do not attempt to open or repair your SUPER PILOT SBC. See Service information
    on the following page.
$


                                                                           1 1

SERVICE
Should your GOSSEN SUPER PILOT SBC require service, send the meter
(directly or through an authorizeddealer), in the original packing, if possible,
prepaid and insured to:

     Gossen Service Center                 Gossen Service Center
      Berkey Marketing Companies             BerkeyMarketingCompanies
      25-20 Brooklyn Queens Expwy. West        1011ChestnutStreet
     Woodside, New York 11377               Burbank,California91506


A brief description of the reason for sending the meter should accompany the
package.





12
                           www.butkus.us                  h

GOSSEN SIXTICOLOR

Color Temperature  Meter
and  Filter Indicator

E l i m i n a t e s c o s t i y   t r i a l e x p o s u r e s a n d
" o f f c o l o r "   r e s u l t s . A t  a  g l a n c e ,   t h i s
c o m p a c t    i n s t r u m e n t s h o w s   t h e  c o l o r
temperature of the light source (2,600to
20,000 K) and, simultaneously,indicates
the correction filter required for correct
color balance with any type  of  color
f i l m . T h e G O S S E N S I X T I C O L O R  i s a n
important aid  for every user  of  color
f i l m    i n  s t i l l o r m o t i o n p i c t u r e p h o t o -
g raphy.
Ask your  dealer  for  a  demonstration!