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The Weston Master II (Model 735) is a classic vintage handheld exposure meter, the second in Weston’s respected Master series, first produced in the mid-1940s by the Weston Electrical Instrument Corporation in Newark, New Jersey, and later manufactured by Sangamo Weston in England. It’s a historically significant tool for film-era photographers who need accurate, camera-independent exposure readings, particularly popular with users of manual and vintage cameras that lack a built-in light meter.
The meter operates using a selenium photocell, a light-sensitive device that generates its own small electrical current in response to incoming light with no battery required, a hallmark of Weston’s meter design throughout this era. Light readings are measured as reflected (ambient) light, with a claimed sensitivity range from roughly 0 to 1600 (in the meter’s own light-value scale) depending on the specific model variant. The internal circuitry drives a needle across a calibrated dial, and photographers then align that reading with a second rotating dial to derive a matching set of aperture and shutter speed combinations for the given film speed.
Compared to the original Weston Master, the Master II introduced a notably more compact form factor and a redesigned, slimmer magnet and coil assembly, along with an aluminum alloy body featuring watertight seals for improved durability. Its pocket-sized design made it practical for photographers to carry and consult quickly between shots, and it was produced in variations including black, dark grey, and glossy finishes depending on the market and production run.
Build quality reflects Weston’s reputation for precision instruments of the era, with a metal casing that replaced the Bakelite construction of the original Master, giving it a more rugged, long-lasting feel. Because these meters are now decades old, the accuracy and functional condition of the selenium cell can vary meaningfully between individual units, since these cells naturally degrade over time regardless of care or storage.
Key Features
– Vintage handheld exposure meter (Weston Master series, second generation)
– Selenium photocell (no battery required)
– Reflected/ambient light metering
– Calibrated exposure dial with aperture/shutter speed matching scale
– Compact, pocket-sized aluminum alloy body
– Watertight seals
– Slimmer magnet and coil assembly compared to the original Weston Master
– Available in black, dark grey, and other period finishes depending on production run
