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Recommendations for an economical Light Meter
I am looking to purchase a Light Meter. I would like recommendations for something that is fairly durable and economical with an LCD/LED display. I have been looking at the Sekonic L-358 at B&H Photo for $259. I have read some reviews and they leaned toward positive experiences with this unit. I was hoping to tap into the vast experience of the photographers here have. Any suggestions? Apr 03 06 01:23 pm Link MGP Productions wrote: pretty much any digital meter will be accurate to at least 1/10 of a stop, so pick the features you need. i'm happy with my minolta ivf, but i only use it for basic strobe measurements. sekonic is quite reputable as well. Apr 03 06 02:49 pm Link I've been using the Sekonic L-508 Zoom Master since '03 and it's been wonderful. It's also been durable as hell - I've used it in studio, on a yacht and sea and a hundred places in between. You may want to check KEH for used units. They have a very accurate grading system and a very fair return policy. The prices can sometimes be a bit high, but with equipment, it's definitely a "get what you pay for" world... FWIW - Bill Ballard Blue Water Photography Savannah, GA [email protected] Apr 03 06 03:05 pm Link The L-358 works great for me. One of my partners also has one and he is happy with it as well. cheers Barry Apr 03 06 03:10 pm Link Thanks everyone for your help. I appreciate it. Apr 03 06 04:02 pm Link MGP Productions wrote: adorama Apr 03 06 04:05 pm Link The Sekonic L-358 is great, but I have two gripes about it. 1. it uses an uncommon battery (cr123a if memory serves correct) 2. it eats batteries like potato chips. The battery can also be a bit pricey in certain places ( 10-12 bucks a pop in new york drug stores...) If you're not going to use the pocket wizard features anytime soon, you might want to consider something like the minoltas which can use double AA batts (I think). You could save a little cash by using rechargables. Apr 03 06 04:22 pm Link Nello Ryan wrote: Also have the Minolta, and it doens't eat any battery at all. After three years I am still on the first set, and it's used frequently. Apr 03 06 05:17 pm Link I use an old Polaris ( ripoff of Sekonic L308 ) flash meter I got like 6 or 7 years ago. It is beat up, but it is true. One of these days ill get a new one, but for now, it works well. I meter incidently with ambient or strobe/combo and cant complain about it. Chip Apr 03 06 06:23 pm Link I'm not familiar with the L-358 but am thinking of getting an L-308 as a backup and for lightweight travel because of it's compact size, and because a pro friend is very happy with his. Right now I'm using a Minolta IVF and am very happy with it, have had it since 1999 and it's still on it's second set of AA batteries. Apr 03 06 06:33 pm Link I bought a used Gossen LunaPro SBC around 1986 and it's been working ever since. I don't think I've changed the batteries ever. It has spot, flash, enlarging and most any kind of attachment you could want cheap on the used market. And it's big enough that when you set it down to adjust a nipple of something, you can find it again afterward. I have tried upgrading to expensive newer meters twice, and have ended up selling them. I like an analog brick with damned-near total darkness capability that can take a lickin'. Find a used one at B&H. -Don Apr 03 06 08:07 pm Link D. Brian Nelson wrote: LMAO Apr 03 06 09:50 pm Link I love my Sekonic L-358. It has worked great for me in natural light, studio hot lights, and studio strobes. Just remember to turn it off when you aren't using it, it does have an auto-off but it takes awhile to kick in. Apr 03 06 11:34 pm Link You looking for just incident readings, or do you need flash too? What about spot? I have a 358. It's pretty durable, dropped it onto pavement and run into a few walls and trees, still works fine. Had it for a year now and the battery is going strong. Display is easy to read, don't really have anything bad to say about it. Apr 04 06 12:43 am Link Nello Ryan wrote: Weird, I haven't had that problem with the battery...think I've changed mine once in three or four years. It is kind of a pain in the ass size, though. I keep a spare battery in my photo bag just in case, just like I keep spare AAs for my PocketWizards or in case all of my camera batteries spontaneously die at the same time. Apr 04 06 07:33 am Link Unless you gonna need a spot meter the 358 is great. And really, it doesn't eat batteries. One CR-123 will last for a long time. Apr 04 06 07:48 am Link I guess mileage varies. Maybe mine is flawed somehow... I don't even leave the battery in it anymore, because I'm anal about the battery life. I leave the battery in a camera bag pocket when I'm not using the meter. Apr 04 06 08:44 am Link Sekonic L-308B for me, in fact I have two of them. Excellent and very easy to use/read. Apr 04 06 08:52 am Link I also have the Sekonic 308. Great little meter. And not hard on the pocket book. Apr 04 06 01:14 pm Link VirtuaMike wrote: I wanted it for incident and flash readings. Apr 04 06 07:58 pm Link B&H sells the 358 for $259 but also has the 308 for $189. I highly recommend it and it will do all you need it to do. It takes AA batteries too. I haven't needed to change mine in ages and I always have them in my bag anyhow for my flashes. The other you mentioned before might be good as well, but I haven't had experience with it. Apr 05 06 05:45 pm Link For under $200...I think this is the most compact meter I've seen. I eventually sold my Minolta and just using this one now. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/control … ype=search Apr 05 06 06:58 pm Link |
