Exposure Meter
https://archives.whyte.org/en/permalink/artifact104.41.1118
- Date
- 1888
- Material
- metal; paint; plastic
- Catalogue Number
- 104.41.1118
- Description
- Hand held exposure/light meter made by Weston Electrical Instrument Company in a grey metal finish. Along both sides of the meter are a series of protruding lines that allow one to safely grip the object. At the bottom of the artifact there is a metal hook, which would have allowed a string to be a…
1 image
- Title
- Exposure Meter
- Date
- 1888
- Material
- metal; paint; plastic
- Dimensions
- 2.0 x 6.0 x 9.5 cm
- Description
- Hand held exposure/light meter made by Weston Electrical Instrument Company in a grey metal finish. Along both sides of the meter are a series of protruding lines that allow one to safely grip the object. At the bottom of the artifact there is a metal hook, which would have allowed a string to be attached like on the other Weston meter’s owned by Nicholas. There is also no longer a case to protect this particular object. In the top of the exposure meter there is a clear plastic covering. Along the very top there us the name of the manufacturer in white cursive lettering that reads “Weston Master II” and written underneath in capital letters “UNIVERSAL EXPOSURE METER.” Below this is the light scale where the value of the scene would be indicated. The scale contains the values “0” “25” “50” “100” “200” “400” “800” “1600,” which means that the two values on this instrument are calibrated 0-50 and 0-1600. (candles per square foot.)Below there is a circular face with several figures and a dial that turns/rotates. The outside row of figures on the exposure control dial represents the light value settings and corresponds to the light values on the light scale. Below the round dial there is a tiny circular button that is used to set the exposure control dial for film speed. As the dial turns it reveals the “EMULSION SPEED” with a red baize finish that has become worn throughout its life. The row of figures at the bottom of the top dial is the f/stop values and has an “f” to make this more apparent for the user. The row of figures directly below the f/stop settings are the shutter speeds. After setting the exposure control dial to the light value obtained on the light scale, any of the combinations of f/stop and shutter speed directly opposite each other are correct. On the rear of the meter there is a black plastic covering that contains several circular cut outs that are called a hir.ged baffle. This can be swung open (against the case) using the gold latch, which clips into a tiny hole or socket when the user wishes it to be closed. When opened the light sensitive photo cell is directly beneath this baffle and contains several protruding circles. When the baffle is open, the scale range is 0-50; when the baffle is closed, the scale range is 0-1600. Below there is an oval shaped face with extensive information that is held in place with two small screws on both the viewer left and right side. There is silver lettering on a black background that reads “WESTON ELEC. INST. CORP.” “NEWARK, N.J., U.S.A.” A silver backing separates the patent information and has black writing that reads “MODEL 735” on the viewer left side. On the viewer right side the number “7454510” is engraved. In the middle there is a gold-coloured screw with the words “ZERO CORRECTOR” written in black. Below this there is the patent information; “U.S. PATENTS” “2,274,441” “2,073,790” “2,346,555” “2,137,466” “2,463,770.” Below these numbers are the “FOREIGN PATENTS” “FRENCH 862,770” “BRITISH 531,996” “CAN. 347,085” “CAN. 411,975” At the very bottom underneath there is the manufacturer’s location; “MADE IN U.S.A.”
- Subject
- photography
- Nick Morant
- Credit
- Gift of Nicholas Morant, Banff, 2006
- Catalogue Number
- 104.41.1118
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