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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 2530
Location: Thach Alabama
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 Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject: Storing cameras with selenium light meters. |
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Big Dawg wrote:
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. 
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Orio
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 29545
Location: West Emilia
Expire: 2012-12-04
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| Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:04 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 2530
Location: Thach Alabama
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| Posted: Sun Nov 27, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject: |
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Big Dawg wrote:
| 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.
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R0m@n
Joined: 28 Nov 2011
Posts: 4
Location: Oviedo - Spain
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| Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 12:04 am Post subject: |
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R0m@n wrote:
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. |
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martinsmith99
Joined: 31 Aug 2008
Posts: 6950
Location: S Glos, UK
Expire: 2013-11-18
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| Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 7:10 am Post subject: |
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martinsmith99 wrote:
Black tape over the cell. Store them out of direct sunlight.
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Sevo
Joined: 22 Aug 2008
Posts: 1189
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Expire: 2012-12-03
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| Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 8:13 am Post subject: Re: Storing cameras with selenium light meters. |
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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.
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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.
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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 2530
Location: Thach Alabama
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| Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: Storing cameras with selenium light meters. |
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Big Dawg wrote:
| 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.
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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.
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Nesster
Joined: 24 Apr 2008
Posts: 5883
Location: NJ, USA
Expire: 2014-02-20
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| Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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Nesster wrote:
This is a conodrum for sure. Maybe wee little hoods for the selenium cells, they'd at least keep most of the light out.
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visualopsins
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 11019
Location: California
Expire: 2025-04-11
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| Posted: Tue Nov 29, 2011 11:39 pm Post subject: |
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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.
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Cameras: Sony ILCE-7RM2, Spotmatics II, F, and ESII, Nikon P4
Lenses:
M42 Asahi Optical Co., Takumar 1:4 f=35mm, 1:2 f=58mm (Sonnar), 1:2.4 f=58mm (Heliar), 1:2.2 f=55mm (Gaussian), 1:2.8 f=105mm (Model I), 1:2.8/105 (Model II), 1:5.6/200, Tele-Takumar 1:5.6/200, 1:6.3/300, Macro-Takumar 1:4/50, Auto-Takumar 1:2.3 f=35, 1:1.8 f=55mm, 1:2.2 f=55mm, Super-TAKUMAR 1:3.5/28 (fat), 1:2/35 (Fat), 1:1.4/50 (8-element), Super-Multi-Coated Fisheye-TAKUMAR 1:4/17, Super-Multi-Coated TAKUMAR 1:4.5/20, 1:3.5/24, 1:3.5/28, 1:2/35, 1:3.5/35, 1:1.8/85, 1:1.9/85 1:2.8/105, 1:3.5/135, 1:2.5/135 (II), 1:4/150, 1:4/200, 1:4/300, 1:4.5/500, Super-Multi-Coated Macro-TAKUMAR 1:4/50, 1:4/100, Super-Multi-Coated Bellows-TAKUMAR 1:4/100, SMC TAKUMAR 1:1.4/50, 1:1.8/55
M42 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35
Contax Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 28-70mm F3.5-4.5
Pentax K-mount SMC PENTAX-A ZOOM 1:3.5 35~105mm, SMC PENTAX ZOOM 1:4 45~125mm
Nikon Micro-NIKKOR-P-C Auto 1:3.5 f=55mm, NIKKOR-P Auto 105mm f/2.5 Pre-AI (Sonnar), Micro-NIKKOR 105mm 1:4 AI, NIKKOR AI-S 35-135mm f/3,5-4,5
Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (51B), Tamron SP 17mm f/3.5 (151B), SP 500mm f/8 (55BB), SP 70-210mm f/3.5 (19AH)
Vivitar 100mm 1:2.8 MC 1:1 Macro Telephoto (Kiron)
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Big Dawg
Joined: 28 Jan 2009
Posts: 2530
Location: Thach Alabama
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| Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2011 2:31 am Post subject: |
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Big Dawg wrote:
| 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.
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Eugen Mezei
Joined: 17 May 2008
Posts: 266
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| Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2011 10:51 pm Post subject: |
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Eugen Mezei wrote:
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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