Avometer - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

hilitevr · 31st Jul 2008, 11:37 am

Can anyone identify this avometer and whats it designed to do?.

Thanks
Trevor

hilitevr · 31st Jul 2008, 12:15 pm

I'm being silly, its an exposure meter.

Sorry
Trevor

Geoff 555 · 31st Jul 2008, 12:17 pm

Hi I must confess that I dont know for sure but the numbers are the same as shutter speeds and aperture numbers on old cameras. I guess you could call them analogue cameras nowadays.
Is there any kind of light cell or connections on it?
Camera tester??
Cheers.
Geoff.

SPCh · 31st Jul 2008, 12:17 pm

It's a photographic light meter.

Pretty little thing, beautifully made, and so obviously a member of the AVO family.

My daughter's teddy bear has one (it's just his size)

Mike Phelan · 31st Jul 2008, 2:41 pm

Geoff
It will have a selenium photocell at the top, to point at the scene. These cells do deteriorate with age, though.

SPCh · 31st Jul 2008, 5:02 pm

Yes, Mike's right, but they seem to hold up well if not exposed to light. If the photocell has been kept covered (the "natural" state for this unit with its integral cover - PLUS case) it should still be reasonably accurate. Mine certainly is. Be aware, it's not easy to get into, and there's not much you can do if you succeed - there's nothing to adjust : the "control" is just a (fairly arbitrary-looking) copper shunt to the movement magnet.

Buy it if you fancy it; don't expect too much; and if it agrees with something more modern, use it with joy. If it doesn't, I'm sure you know someone with a teddy bear !

Mike-repairman · 31st Jul 2008, 5:12 pm

I had two old ones I found recently and they are two stops difference between them.
Needs to be checked with another new one, or against a camera with a built in exposure meter.

Geoff 555 · 31st Jul 2008, 5:57 pm

URR TA as you can see we seem to have a case of posting two replies at exactly the same time!!!!!!!
Thank you Mike it all slots into place now.
Cheers.
Geoff.

31st Jul 2008, 11:37 am	#1
hilitevr Pentode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sidcup, Greater London, UK. Posts: 122	Avometer Can anyone identify this avometer and whats it designed to do?. Thanks Trevor Attached Thumbnails

31st Jul 2008, 12:15 pm	#2
hilitevr Pentode Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sidcup, Greater London, UK. Posts: 122	Re: Avometer I'm being silly, its an exposure meter. Sorry Trevor

31st Jul 2008, 12:17 pm	#3
Geoff 555 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 981	Re: Avometer Hi I must confess that I dont know for sure but the numbers are the same as shutter speeds and aperture numbers on old cameras. I guess you could call them analogue cameras nowadays. Is there any kind of light cell or connections on it? Camera tester?? Cheers. Geoff.

31st Jul 2008, 12:17 pm	#4
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: Avometer It's a photographic light meter. Pretty little thing, beautifully made, and so obviously a member of the AVO family. My daughter's teddy bear has one (it's just his size)

31st Jul 2008, 2:41 pm	#5
Mike Phelan Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Near Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK Posts: 4,609	Re: Avometer Geoff It will have a selenium photocell at the top, to point at the scene. These cells do deteriorate with age, though. __________________ Mike.

31st Jul 2008, 5:02 pm	#6
SPCh Rest in Peace Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Posts: 345	Re: Avometer Yes, Mike's right, but they seem to hold up well if not exposed to light. If the photocell has been kept covered (the "natural" state for this unit with its integral cover - PLUS case) it should still be reasonably accurate. Mine certainly is. Be aware, it's not easy to get into, and there's not much you can do if you succeed - there's nothing to adjust : the "control" is just a (fairly arbitrary-looking) copper shunt to the movement magnet. Buy it if you fancy it; don't expect too much; and if it agrees with something more modern, use it with joy. If it doesn't, I'm sure you know someone with a teddy bear !

31st Jul 2008, 5:12 pm	#7
Mike-repairman Heptode Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cambridgeshire, UK. Posts: 613	Re: Avometer I had two old ones I found recently and they are two stops difference between them. Needs to be checked with another new one, or against a camera with a built in exposure meter.

31st Jul 2008, 5:57 pm	#8
Geoff 555 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bristol, UK. Posts: 981	Re: Avometer URR TA as you can see we seem to have a case of posting two replies at exactly the same time!!!!!!! Thank you Mike it all slots into place now. Cheers. Geoff.