Minolta Flash Meter III diffuser switch

[butlerps]

Hi Guys,
I've searched the web for a clear cut answer to this question but to no avail. I've just acquired a Minolta Flash Meter III but when it arrived it did not have a spherical diffuser over the sensor. I bought a spherical diffuse off ebay and fitted it to the Flash Meter and noticed that the little metal switch which is on the mounting face of the flash meter where the diffuser goes does not get presses. Pressing the switch seems to adjust the light reading by three stops.
Have I bought the wrong diffuse for the Flash Meter III, or should the switch NOT be presses for the dome, i.e. it's used for something else.

Many thanks
Philip

[PWhite214]

I couldn't answer your question, but the manual is available from http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes...eter_iii-1.pdf. I hope this helps you.

Phil

[butlerps]

Thanks for the link, as it happens I have the original manual for the flash meter (yes, it came with the manual but without the dome, great huh!) but it makes no reference to the switch. I was hoping that someone else out there has a Flash Meter III and could visually check the operation of the switch. The other idea I had was to take it to a camera shop and see if they would let me compare meter readings with another flash meter so as I could see if the meter readings were the same, but figured I'd ask you guys first.

Cheers,
Philip

[OldClicker]

Thanks for the link, as it happens I have the original manual for the flash meter (yes, it came with the manual but without the dome, great huh!) but it makes no reference to the switch. I was hoping that someone else out there has a Flash Meter III and could visually check the operation of the switch. The other idea I had was to take it to a camera shop and see if they would let me compare meter readings with another flash meter so as I could see if the meter readings were the same, but figured I'd ask you guys first.

Cheers,
Philip

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[butlerps]

Just an update: I took the flash meter to a photography shop, the assistant was familiar with the model and confirmed that the domed diffuser is not meant to activate the switch. The switch is for the spot meter attachment only. While there I checked the light meter readings of the meter against a light meter they had behind the counter, and light meter readings with the dome attached were correct.