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Storing cameras with selenium light meters.
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PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:19 pm    Post subject: Storing cameras with selenium light meters. Reply with quote
I have many cameras with selenium light meters that still work. Most were stored in a drawer or closet in their original leather case in total darkness so they survived. I am in the process of building a display cabinet of wood and glass to show off my growing collection. The old and moldy leather cases will not be part of this though as they smell and may have fungus that could ruin the lenses. Ugly too for the most part.

So if I show these in a lighted cabinet they (the Selenium meters) will probably cease to function. That is my problem.

Any Ideas? No duct tape jibes at my redneck heritage please. Laughing


PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
I don't know of a solution. Selenium meters are dead men walking anyway, it's only a matter of time until they will fade away.
But capable technicians are able to somehow fix partially exhausted selenium meters by "focusing" them for accuracy on the most used speeds (typically from 1/60 to 1/500) leaving the slow speeds alone.
That is precisely what a former Zeiss Ikon technician is doing to my father's Super Ikonta right now.


PostPosted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:19 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Orio wrote:
I don't know of a solution. Selenium meters are dead men walking anyway, it's only a matter of time until they will fade away.
But capable technicians are able to somehow fix partially exhausted selenium meters by "focusing" them for accuracy on the most used speeds (typically from 1/60 to 1/500) leaving the slow speeds alone.
That is precisely what a former Zeiss Ikon technician is doing to my father's Super Ikonta right now.


But at the moment mine (or at least most of mine) are working well and I'd like for them to continue. I may have to design custom aluminum or plastic covers for them.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Hi:

The original leather cover is a solution for my cameras with selenium light meters working. I have a little colection into a cabinet, but now I want move all into a glass cabinet. Sure you can find "cheap" leather covers alone for protect your cameras, although this not the original.

The humidity is a big problem where I live, but I have a partial solution. I have a dehumifier in the cabinet room and is really effective (I have this too for my health...), eliminate a lot of humidity % (2 liters per day +-) . With this the fungus cannot proliferate in the lenses.

Regards.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
Black tape over the cell. Store them out of direct sunlight.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:13 am    Post subject: Re: Storing cameras with selenium light meters. Reply with quote
Big Dawg wrote:

So if I show these in a lighted cabinet they (the Selenium meters) will probably cease to function. That is my problem.


A flawless selenium cell does not get damaged by light - but light (or rather the current it creates) will accelerate oxidation once the cell sealing fails. Keeping a broken meter dark and dry will for some time keep up the appearance that it works, but in reality the meter is already broken - and it will inevitably fail a couple of years later regardless of storage. If you don't intend to sell it, there isn't really that much of a difference between one or the other.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:10 pm    Post subject: Re: Storing cameras with selenium light meters. Reply with quote
Sevo wrote:
Big Dawg wrote:

So if I show these in a lighted cabinet they (the Selenium meters) will probably cease to function. That is my problem.


A flawless selenium cell does not get damaged by light - but light (or rather the current it creates) will accelerate oxidation once the cell sealing fails. Keeping a broken meter dark and dry will for some time keep up the appearance that it works, but in reality the meter is already broken - and it will inevitably fail a couple of years later regardless of storage. If you don't intend to sell it, there isn't really that much of a difference between one or the other.


But I intend to use them as well as display them.

Keeping them in old moldy leather is out as the do not display well that way and black tape will leave a residue.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
This is a conodrum for sure. Maybe wee little hoods for the selenium cells, they'd at least keep most of the light out.


PostPosted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Red selenium degrades to gray selenium by oxidation. I'm not sure how that relates to 'working', as both red and gray selenium are used for light sensing. Assuming oxidation is the cause of failure, remove or limit oxygen to prolong life. Fill the display case with nitrogen or other inert gas.

I don't think the cells 'wear out' with use, from exposure to light. If I'm wrong, then the only solution here seems to be to limit the light shining on the cells as much as possible when in the case. Heh, also avoid making photos of the cameras using flash.


PostPosted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote
visualopsins wrote:
Red selenium degrades to gray selenium by oxidation. I'm not sure how that relates to 'working', as both red and gray selenium are used for light sensing. Assuming oxidation is the cause of failure, remove or limit oxygen to prolong life. Fill the display case with nitrogen or other inert gas.

I don't think the cells 'wear out' with use, from exposure to light. If I'm wrong, then the only solution here seems to be to limit the light shining on the cells as much as possible when in the case. Heh, also avoid making photos of the cameras using flash.


inert gas is a non-starter. I never use a flash when photographing my cameras or lenses. Too harsh.


PostPosted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Use them and store them in a lighttight box. They were made as tools, not as exponates.

I never saw a selenium meter that misfunctioned if it was stored in his original case. Every camera I bought and came in its case worked, same to external lightmeters. The ones not working came every time without case.
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