Gossen Sixtomat light meter

The image features a vintage Gossen Sixtomat light meter, an iconic piece of photographic history manufactured in Germany during the mid-20th century. This specific model, recognizable by its distinctive "organ pipe" light-sensing window (the black and white vertical slats), was a staple for amateur and professional photographers using analog cameras to calculate precise exposure settings before the widespread integration of built-in camera meters.

The Gossen brand is synonymous with high-quality light measurement. Originally founded in Erlangen, Germany, the company became a world leader in optical and electronic measurement technology. The brand's logo, featuring the stylized 'G' inside a circular motif resembling a galvanometer needle, is clearly visible on the black face of the dial.

Today, Gossen exists as two distinct entities following a historical corporate split. GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH continues to manufacture professional photography and studio light meters, while GOSSEN Metrawatt focuses on industrial measurement and testing. The brand remains deeply rooted in its German heritage, with its headquarters and manufacturing facilities still predominantly based in Nuremberg and Erlangen, Germany.