- Date
- 1888
- Catalogue Number
- 104.41.1120 a-b
- Description
- Hand held light meter in a pear shape with a stainless steel body and leather case. 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 has a red string running through.There is a clear p…
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- Title
- Exposure Meter
- Date
- 1888
- Description
- Hand held light meter in a pear shape with a stainless steel body and leather case. 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 has a red string running through.There is a clear plastic covering located at the top of the meter. Written in cursive letters is the company name “WESTON MATER II”. Underneath this written in capital letters is “UNIVERSAL EXPSOURE METER”. The light scale underneath contains the numbers “0” “25” “50” “100” “200” “400” “800” “1600,” which means that the 2 values calibrated on this instrument are 0-50 and 0-1600. Underneath the scale the word “Light” is present. Below there is another light scale in the form of 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 at the top. 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.. On the same dial there is silver letters that have a line that correspond to the figures on the outside dial; “U,” “A with “1/2” underneath,” an arrow that is known as the normal arrow, a “C” with “2x” below it, and a “0”. As this dial is turned it reveals a partly red baize and the emulsion speed, which is self-evident as the words “EMULSION SPEED” are present. The row of figures directly below the f/stop settings are the shutter speeds. The outside row of figures is the light values, which is apparent as the word “LIGHT” with an arrow points to these values. 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. Below the round dial there is a tiny circular button that is used to set the exposure control dial for film speed.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; “No” is present in the middle; “8284703” is engraved on the viewer right side. In the middle there is a brass screw with the words “ZERO CORRECTOR” written in black around its circumference. On the viewer left side of the zero corrector is the patent information; “U.S. PATENTS” “1,779,574” “1,982,406” “2,073,790” and on the viewer right side continued patent information “U.S. PATENTS” “2,137,466” “2,274,441” “2,346,555”. 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.” written in black on a silver background.There is also a blue case with white stripes and a red inner lining that would be used to protect the case. This would not have been originally sold with the exposure meter and was most likely hand made in an effort to protect the meter. Blue stitches hold the fabric together and are visible.
- Subject
- photography
- Nick Morant
- Credit
- Gift of Nicholas Morant, Banff, 2006
- Catalogue Number
- 104.41.1120 a-b
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