briand@tekig1.UUCP (06/27/84)
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I have used a Pentax Spotmeter V for several years with good success. The
digital model is smaller, lighter, and generally more convenient. In fact, the
digital one can fit easily in front pants pockets.
In my experience, the one degree spot (the non-digital Pentax is a little
wider, though they don't admit it) is sort of the MAXIMUM angle of acceptance
that can be easily used. Wider angles can be used, but the wider the more
difficult.
Zone VI Studios (Newfane, VT) is in the middle of building a meter that
is specifically aimed for B&W Zone System Photography. They start with a
Pentax or Soligor 1 degree meter (either digital or analog), and replace the
photocell with their own, and use special filtration to match the sensitivity
curve of the meter to the spectral sensitivity curve of B&W film, typically
Tri-X (which some 4x5 people tend to favor over Plus-X). Anyway, they are at
first only selling modified meters or modifying meters they earlier sold.
Later they probably will modify others, though the modification will invalidate
any warranty other than Zone VI's. You might want to investigate this, though
I won't because I don't like to deal with Fred Picker and I am satisfied with
the performance of my Pentax.
As I stated above, Zone VI Studios' address is Newfane, VT., and there is
no street address. I disremember the zip code, but adding that makes the ad-
dress complete.
Brian Diehm
Tektronix, Inc.