Broken Light Meter

I inherited my dad's '76 Canon TLb about six months ago. It's my first "real" camera and I absolutely love it. A couple months ago I noticed that the light meter was requiring an abnormal amount of light to register. Eventually it stopped moving all together. I thought it might be the battery, so I went to Radio Shack to have it tested and, sure enough, the battery was dead. So I got a replacement, but it's still not working.

I'm stationed in Northern Maryland for the time being and there aren't any photography shops close by enough for me to stop by while they're actually open. I won't get leave to go to my home photo shop until June.

Does anyone have any ideas how I might try to fix the problem myself?

Unfortunately, the repair cost may be more than the camera is worth and that's assuming that parts are available. Definately get it looked at, but a hand held separate light meter might be the best way to go.

Light meters can cost pretty much any price you want to pay, from an analog one measuring only reflected light (just like the one in your camera) found on ebay for maybe $20 or less to a full functioned digital pro model that costs several hundred. I use a Sekonic L358 which is around $200 or so. It will measure reflected light, incident light (light falling onto the subject instead of reflected off of it) and flash exposure. With accessories, it will also trigger studio strobes and can be used as a spot meter. Check Sekonic's site under Metering Techniques for the basics on how these modes work, and where they can be a big help.

Did you go to a store and just pick up an alkaline? If so, the battery is the wrong type. Your camera requires a 1.35v mercury battery, a replacement is made by Wein and is available fro B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

Slightly more on the subject:

http://www.acecam.com/photography/7079.html

If that's the problem and the Wein battery (B&H link) is what you need, I've got one I'll send to you. Send me a private message with your address and it's on the way.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Sebastian

Did you go to a store and just pick up an alkaline? If so, the battery is the wrong type. Your camera requires a 1.35v mercury battery, a replacement is made by Wein and is available fro B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...ughType=search

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I wish I had known about that, then I would not have had to recalabate the old light meter ;)

Are the contacts in the camera for the battery clean?

Embarassingly enough, I was looking at it again today and realized I had the battery (1.3v lithium) turned the wrong way. I inserted it correctly, but I can't screw on the battery cap correctly. I spent about an hour trying to get it in even, but no dice. I'm not sure if the cap has to be on to make the battery work, but the light meter still isn't working. I'm going to a photo shop tonight. Thanks for the advice.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by praguevolk

I'm not sure if the cap has to be on to make the battery work, but the light meter still isn't working.

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Yep - it is needed because it completes the circuit, at least on most of them. Good luck with the shop, hope they can fix it for you.