Which one is better? Minolta Autometer IV-F or Gossen Variosix F2

Mark Allaye-Chan

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Apr 21, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/21/95

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I am trying to decide between two light meters, the:

1) Gossen Variosix F2 (Luna Star F2 in the US?)
2) Minolta Autometer IV-F

The two meters have vary similar specification, both
being both ambient/flash & incident/reflective meters.
Both models have cordless a mode for cordless flash
meter measurement in addition to the pc cord flash
measurement mode. Both meters can take on a 5 deg
spot meter attachment.

Some differences are:

- The calibration on the Minolta is set via a potentiometer
while the calibration on the Gossen is set electronically

- The Minolta has a two reading memory and an average
function.

- The Minolta uses a single AA cell and the Gossen
requires a 9-volt battery.

- The Minolta can take on more attachments:
- A 10 degree spot attachment
- A light "BOOSTER" probe for light measurement
made through an SLR viewfinder, or for
ground glass focusing screen on view cameras, etc.

- The Gossen can be purchased for slightly less money in
Ottawa, Canada. The Gossen sells for around $380 canadian
$500 can with 5 deg spot

The Minolta sells for around $400 canadian

I would appreciate any information pertaining to reliability,
performance, battery life, field handling, or any other
consideration which could help me to decide between the two meters.

Thanks,

Mark

Joseph S. Wisniewski

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Apr 24, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/24/95

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I've repaired several Minolta Autometer III-F meters, including my own,
and have very little good to say about Minolta construction. The printed
circuit boards had solder balls, solder hairs, solder splashes, bad
solder joints, and poor flux cleanup. I've also fixed two meters that
would kill a lithium battery in less than a month, after Minolta factory
service sent notes to the owners, saying the meters were fine, and the
battery should be REMOVED when the meter was not in use for more than
two weeks. Since there was a real problem with these meters, that was
REPAIRED by replacing one leaky transistor in each meter, I found
Minolta's approach to this problem to be totally unprofessional. I
don't know if an Autometer IV-F is built any better than a III-F, but
personally, I think I've given Minolta enough ghances over the years.

I've never had occasion to peek inside a Gossen. This could be due to
better reliability than the Minolta products, or there could be much
fewer Gossens around here, or their factory service might be so good
that people don't go looking for independent shops, or it could be
pure random chance that the Gossens in this area haven't broken down,
and the Minoltas have.

|> I would appreciate any information pertaining to reliability,
|> performance, battery life, field handling, or any other
|> consideration which could help me to decide between the two meters.

--
Joseph S. Wisniewski | The views expressed are purely my own, and do
Ford Motor Company | not reflect those of the Ford Motor Company,
Project Sapphire | or any of its affiliates.
w...@godzilla.alp.ford.com | "any color you want -- as long as it's black"

BluSkie

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Apr 26, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/26/95

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My minolta meters (autometer II, IV F, and Autometer III) have always
worked flawlessly. Never any problems even in light rain, hard knocks
and just overal pro use. Can say much for the Gossens other than what I
heard from other who owned them and I guess they are about ar relaible as
the minoltas.
blu...@aol.com

Simon Ogilvie

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Apr 27, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/27/95

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I had a Minolta III which I traded for a Sekonic 308. I now also have
a Gossen Variosix F. I prefer the Sekonic for its ergonomics and the
Gossen for its flexibility. All are reliable and high quality instruments,
although the Gossen has the edge for durability IMHO. On a value for
money basis there's very little to touch the Sekonic.

Simon.

________________________________________________________________
| Simon Ogilvie - UNIX System Manager |
| Ericsson Cellular Division, Guildford, UK |
| Simon....@Guildford.Ericsson.se |
| Disclaimer : any views expressed here are mine and are not |
| necessarily shared by Ericsson. |
----------------------------------------------------------------

Gregory Pease

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Apr 27, 1995, 3:00:00 AM4/27/95

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Simon....@Guildford.ericsson.se (Simon Ogilvie) writes:

>In article s...@newsbf02.news.aol.com, blu...@aol.com (BluSkie) writes:
>>My minolta meters (autometer II, IV F, and Autometer III) have always
>>worked flawlessly. Never any problems even in light rain, hard knocks
>>and just overal pro use. Can say much for the Gossens other than what I
>>heard from other who owned them and I guess they are about ar relaible as
>>the minoltas.

>I had a Minolta III which I traded for a Sekonic 308. I now also have
>a Gossen Variosix F. I prefer the Sekonic for its ergonomics and the
>Gossen for its flexibility. All are reliable and high quality instruments,
>although the Gossen has the edge for durability IMHO. On a value for
>money basis there's very little to touch the Sekonic.

I've used a Minolta Spotmeter F since they came out. It outperforms all
other spotmeters I've used with respect to accuracy, repeatability,
resistnace to flare, and reliability. I swear by the thing.

I've also owned a Gossen LunaStar F for several years. I can't say I'd
recommend this one. It is easy to use, reasonably accurate, and mostly
reliable. However, flat disk diffusers and viewing attachments are nice
accessories, and they aren't available for this meter. They are for the
Sekonic 328 and the Minolta IIIF and IVF. The consistency of the Gossen
is not as predictable as the Minolta, and I have had to send it back for
warrantee service (which was incredibly prompt and courteous, though the
first meter they sent back was also broken...) The flash meter is
accurate, but the ambient metering is off by 2/3 stop.

My studio mate had a Minolta Flashmeter III, which I found to be of the
sme high standards as the Spotmeter F. I recently had a look at the
Autometer IVF, and was equally impressd with it. I don't think one can
go wrong with Minolta meters.