Weston 617, 850, 650, 819 - Antique and Vintage Cameras

Weston 617

1933

Weston Electric Instrument Co.

Newark

USA

Image of Weston 617

Meter Type:
Photoelectric.

Calibration:
Film speed: 4 - 64 Weston; Shutter speed: 1/800 - 64s; Aperture: f1.5 - f32, ¼ - 64 US.

Attributes:
Dual range. ½x and 2x indices. O and U indices.

Serial Number:
19710 .

With:
Case.

This is an improved version of the 617 model which appeared in 1932.

References & Notes:
BJA 1934, p. 643.

Weston 650

c.1934

Universal

Meter Type:
Photoelectric.

Calibration:
Film speed: 1 - 64 Weston; Shutter speed: 1/1200 - 100s; Aperture: f1.5 - f32.

Attributes:
Light value scale: 0 - 1000. ½x and 2x indices O and U indices.

Serial Number:
5562133 .

Weston 650

Universal

Meter Type:
Photoelectric.

Calibration:
Film speed: 1 - 64 Weston; Shutter speed: 1/1200 - 100s; Aperture: f1.5 - f32.

Attributes:
Light value scale: 0 - 1000. ½x and 2x indices O and U indices.

Identification:
Large silver bezel at the centre of the dial.

Serial Number:
8122252 .

With:
Box.

Weston Cine 819

1937

Image of Weston Cine 819

Meter Type:
Photoelectric.

Calibration:
Film speed: 1.5 - 250 Weston; Frames per second: 6 - 64; Aperture: f1 - f22.

Attributes:
Relative Brightness scale: 1 - 19.; 25° angle of acceptance.

Serial Number:
1-15629 .

Leicameter

c.1934

Meter Type:
Photoelectric.

Calibration:
Film speed: 8 - 27° Scheiner; Shutter speed: 1/1200 - 64s; Aperture: f1.5 - f36.

Attributes:
The light scale shows the shutter speeds of 1/1000 - 5s for 23° Scheiner and f6.3. ½x and 2x indices O and U indices.

Serial Number:
8598 .

The first Weston appeared in 1932 it was large with two selenium cells. The 650 model which was smaller and had a rectangular body was introduced in c.1934. A similar model calibrated specifically for cine work was introduced in 1937 called the 819. A model calibrated for the Leica was also produced. Production probably ended around 1940 with the introduction of the Weston Master range. The price was £5.18.6.

When using the cine model the film speed is set on the calculator dial which is then turned to match the f.p.s. to be used, the reading is then taken, the Relative Brightness value shown by the meter needle can then be found on the calculator which will point to the aperture to be used.

References & Notes:
BJA 1936. p. 660.; BJA 1938, p. 529.; Minit&Cine 1938, p. 233.; Minit&Cine 1939, p. 178.; Ensign Cat. 1937 p. 223.; Cameras, Coe. p. 223.

Illustrations:
Permutt, Collecting Old Cameras, p. 43. Early model.

Weston Junior 850

1938

Meter Type:
Photoelectric.

Calibration:
Film speed: 0.7 - 200 Weston; Shutter speed: 1/1000 - 60s; Aperture: f2 - f32.

With:
Leather case.

This is a simpler alternative to the Weston 650 and at £4 considerably cheaper. In use the light value is shown by a needle moving over a scale. That value is set against the emulsion speed by aligning a band showing light values with the emulsion speed shown on a fixed scale. The shutter speed / aperture pairs can then be read.

References & Notes:
BJA 1939, pp. 274, 529.; Westminster Cat. 1939, pp. 45, 46.

Photoelectric

Metrophot, Eos, Horvex

Prinsen, Sixtus
  Electrodrem
  Electro Bewi

Blendux, Ombrux, Cimbrux
  Photoskop, Helios

Avo, Smethurst

Tempiphot, Tempophot
  Excelsior

Weston 617, 850, 650, 819

Ilford, Metrovick

Ikophot

Avo, Chum
  Picoskop, Universal

Sixtomat, Sixti, Sixon
  Sixtomat, Piccolo
  Chrolon, Leica Meter

Weston Master


Meters Home page