Gossen Medidor Color-Pro 3F

Comments about Gossen Color-Pro 3F Meter:

I use this backpacking and often expose film (or digital) late in the evening or early in the morning. This meter gives me the info I need to deal with such light.

One caveat: disconnect the battery between uses or it won't last.

Comments about Gossen Color-Pro 3F Meter:

We use this product to rate scanners use of light. This product has worked wonderfully and I would highly recommend a COLOR PRO 3F METER for those that need a meter like this.

Comments about Gossen Color-Pro 3F Meter:

When I first bought the meter I was impressed by the swiveling sensor that would allow you to aim the sensor directly at the light source while having the meter's face and readout pointed toward the user. And the fact that you weren't limited to set film types and could set any color temp as the starting point for corrections.

Bad Features - The flash reading can only be made by firing the flash with a connected sync cord or wireless flash trigger. Why not just read the first flash to hit it as did the 20 year old Minolta Flashmeter II? This would make reading flash temps on location much easier. The 9V battery is connected by a wire connector rather than embedded contact tabs, which is always more subject to breaking. The choice between wratten and decamired filters is made with a dismally tiny switch INSIDE the battery compartment rather than a switch that can be used easily. The user needs to change reading diffusers depending on the light source brightness, and when I read the same light source which worked with both diffusers, the color temperature readings were 5cc different.

I've had the meter less than a year and used it infrequently. And already it has to be sent back to Bogen for repair because it won't make color temp readings any more. Overall this and the Gossen Starlight meter I bought at the same time seem like 20-30 old thinking built as cheaply as possible. The worst photo gear purchases I've made in years.

Comments about Gossen Color-Pro 3F Meter:

Meter performed for 1.5 years then stopped providing color temperature readings. My sampling is limited to one unit but I am disappointed with it's reliability.

Expertise: Serious amature

Problems Encountered: After first year and a half, meter stopped providing color temperature readings and consistently displayed an error reading. Am in the process of shipping to Bogen for diagnosis and possible repair.

Previous Equivalent Item Owned: NA

Items I Recommend: NA