Dropped my lunasix!

zauhar · 09-15-2011

damn it - today my lunasix 3 fell out of my pocket onto the sidewalk - not a long drop, but now the needle is sticking. If I shake the meter it will find what looks like the right position, but it is impossible to use.

I cannot find a modern meter comparable to this. Has anyone had experience with this problem, and suggest an easy fix, or is it back to QLM for a repair?

Thanks!

Randy

awilder · 09-15-2011

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I have a Gossen Super Pilot. Not as sensitive as the Lunasix but is accurate down to at least -1 EV at ISO 100 compared to my other meters.

zauhar · 09-15-2011

Awilder, thanks for the reply. Today I was so pissed off about this that I wound up ordering a digital meter (Polaris) from B&H. Should have it tomorrow. I am also going to send the Lunasix back to QLM - I really love that meter.

Randy

Doug · 09-15-2011

Hi Randy.. sorry to hear of the damage to your Lunasix. I expect it's worth fixing, a very nice meter. If yours isn't yet converted to take 1.6v silver cells, that would be something to request of QLM while they have it.

I have the Luna Pro F, like a Lunasix but with flash reading, and uses a more common battery. I like Gossen, mostly using the more compact Super Pilot like Awilder has.

MikeL · 09-15-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by zauhar

Has anyone had experience with this problem, and suggest an easy fix, or is it back to QLM for a repair?
Thanks!
Randy

Hi Randy,
I've cracked open a couple of these either for a stuck needle, broken glass, and broken dial. The last one got squished somehow in my luggage, and the needle was stuck as you mentioned.

The back plate is glued on. Work something thin like a Zacto blade around it without bending it up much. Loosen some screws and you are in. You should be able tell if any of the plastic supports were broke in the fall, or if you just need to straighten the needle so that it doesn't catch.

Then reglue the back plate on. If you are hesitant, I could take some photos to show how. But they are pretty easy to work on.

zauhar · 09-25-2011

Doug, Mike thanks for the responses - as it turns out QLM fixed it for about $50 and it's on its way back. I will be more careful in the future .

Randy

FrankS · 09-25-2011

Never leave your Luna Pro F meter on the roof of your car while putting your other gear in the car. You are sure to forget it's there and drive off. Don't ask.

Doug · 09-25-2011

Good advice, Frank! I typically affix the lanyard to a belt-loop, so if/when I drop mine, it just hangs there and I look silly.

Errr... did you go back and look for it?

FrankS · 09-25-2011

Yep, I still have the pieces.

zauhar · 09-25-2011

I have a friend who left his new MacBook air on the hood and drove off; when he retrieved it later, it literally had a tread mark.

It still booted!

Randy

Steve M. · 09-25-2011

Don't feel too bad. I dropped a Kodak Retina the other day (still works though, sort of). That camera didn't have strap lugs, and I somehow missed the pocket on my fanny pack when I was putting it back in.

From now on I just use cameras that have strap lugs and a strap, and after reading your post, maybe I better put a cord on my meter too and put it around my neck.

Doug · 09-26-2011

Randy, that's one of those stories that's better to hear about than experience, but I'm not terribly surprised. The Air chassis is machined out of a solid chunk of Aluminum, and there's no mechanical hard drive to suffer impact damage... Nice to know it's really as tough as advertised.

zauhar · 09-26-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Randy, that's one of those stories that's better to hear about than experience, but I'm not terribly surprised. The Air chassis is machined out of a solid chunk of Aluminum, and there's no mechanical hard drive to suffer impact damage... Nice to know it's really as tough as advertised.

Doug I should add that it booted, but unfortunately the screen was damaged. He was able to get his data off it, if memory serves.

Randy