When is a light meter no a light meter?

[hawk911]

Well, kind of a wierd title, but my local camera shop has a bogen light meter, and I always hear of the Sekonic meters. Does it matter which brand- aren't they all going to do the same thing; meter light? I know there are different modules for PWs, but can't I get the cheapest meter around and still be happy?

BTW- I did a search, but this doesn't seem to be a topic covered in a side-by-side comparison.

[Curtis N]

can't I get the cheapest meter around and still be happy?Were you happy with your 300D and kit lens, or did you eventually upgrade? ;)

What I suggest is to study the specs and features of the Sekonic L-358, maybe even download the manual from Sekonic's site. Compare those features to the Bogen meter you're considering.

Here are a few features of the Sekonic that I consider quite valuable, and may not be available on other meters:

cordless flash mode
analyzed metering - gives you the percent flash in the exposure (great for outdoor fill)
ability to give readings in 1/3 stops or 1/10 stops
adjustable ISO, shutter and aperture in 1/3 stop increments
Av mode for ambient meteringNot everyone will need all these things, but most everyone will find some of those features useful.

[Consensus Trance]

aren't they all going to do the same thing; meter light?


There are pretty much 3 brands you can get...Minolta, Gossen and Sekonic. I hate to say it, but professional photography equipment is not all the same. There are reasons for sticking to the big names that sometimes a newbie might not figure out until a year after they make a purchase...so it's best to start off right or not bother at all....otherwise you're probably just wasting your money.

All the professional photographers I know use Minolta. Sekonic seems to be popular with people in forums. A lot of old-timers liked the Gossen lunapro. Personally I use the gossen digiflash http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=gossen+digiflash&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=productlist.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

[hawk911]

Turns out it's a Gossen DigiproF at my local store and lists for more than the Sekonic 358- they want $320. Seems to be comparable feature sets too. Are the cheaper units in ebay worth it? Can I get back most of my investment if I sell later on? I know I should just hit Curtis over the head and steal his 358, but it's not very neighborly to do so.

I won't flame you, but please share why Sekonic is favored on forums, but pros use Minolta...

[Consensus Trance]

I won't flame you, but please share why Sekonic is favored on forums, but pros use Minolta...

That's cool man. It has to do with the difference between digital and film...and gets into cameras, dynamic range and the whole works.

I think if you're strictly shooting canon digital..sekonic should work just fine and don't worry about it.

My personal philosophy when it comes to meters is I like them to be simple. I don't like a million features and I don't like built-in spot attachments. When I used to shoot Zone System I used a separate dedicated 1 degree spot like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/419288-REG/Spectra_SC600_Cinespot_One_Degree_Spotmeter.html The ability to sync with flash of sekonic and minolta is really nice! Personally, I use a skyport system to pop my flashes in groups and then read with my gossen...but I could understand if somebody doesn't have a full radio system they would probably prefer the flash sync on sekonic and minolta.

[PhotosGuy]

aren't they all going to do the same thing; meter light? Curtis gave you a good answer. OTOH, my external meter gathers dust & I use this: Need an exposure crutch? (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=89123)

[hawk911]

I'm only digital so that makes it easy.

As for the tip Frank, thanks. I'm just afraid that when I try doing more with lights and studio equipment that chimping is going to take a lot of time. It's what I do now, but I'd really like to get better and more accurate at this.

[Wilt]

All the professional photographers I know use Minolta. Sekonic seems to be popular with people in forums. A lot of old-timers liked the Gossen lunapro. Personally I use the gossen digiflash

The Minolta meter was pretty much a 'standard' in the late 80s and 90s for pro use and for the amateur market, Sekonic was the struggling also-ran with some quirks in how it presented information. Gossen's heyday was back in the 60's and 70's. Minolta abandoned the meter market and bailed out of the SLR business, Sekonic fixed enough of its quirks to become popular. So Sekonic is very popular among those who are relatively new to the photography game, but lots of us still have and use Minolta meters. Kenko recently revived the Minolta meters under the Kenko brand name. I will admit that the Sekonics still have the edge over the Kenko meters, primarily because the Kenko has not been adapted for the 1/3 EV direct readout increments that are offered by digital cameras; the Kenko shows the full aperture, and you look at the decimal value for fractional value.

[FlashZebra]

For general banter as appropriate for the OP post.

There are numerous capable Gossen models that are fine.

There are numerous capable Sekonic models that are fine.

There are numerous capable Minolta (now being sold under the Kenko name) models that are fine..

There may be a feature or price of a particular meter that somehow resonates with a particular photographer. Or possibly, becomes somewhat of a fetish like fixation.

But, all these companies produce flash meters that are perfectly capable for general photographic use, regardless of the abilities of the photographer using them.

There are also likely a few other flash meters not made by any of these three companies that are also fine.

Enjoy! Lon

[hawk911]

I guess I'd like a recommendation reasonably priced, reasonably featured unit. Reasonably priced should not exceed $300. Used would be more than fine also.

[Consensus Trance]

The Minolta meter was pretty much a 'standard' in the late 80s and 90s for pro use and for the amateur market, Sekonic was the struggling also-ran with some quirks in how it presented information. Gossen's heyday was back in the 60's and 70's. Minolta abandoned the meter market and bailed out of the SLR business, Sekonic fixed enough of its quirks to become popular. So Sekonic is very popular among those who are relatively new to the photography game, but lots of us still have and use Minolta meters. Kenko recently revived the Minolta meters under the Kenko brand name. I will admit that the Sekonics still have the edge over the Kenko meters, primarily because the Kenko has not been adapted for the 1/3 EV direct readout increments that are offered by digital cameras; the Kenko shows the full aperture, and you look at the decimal value for fractional value.

yep - that about sums up my thoughts exactly. You can tell I came up awhile ago cuz I still call minolta minolta and I still think the sexiest meter ever is a gossen :)

[Wilt]

yep - that about sums up my thoughts exactly. You can tell I came up awhile ago cuz I still call minolta minolta and I still think the sexiest meter ever is a gossen :)


Yeah, a Gossen Luna Pro was the stuff of wet dreams for a teenage photographer with no real income! Later, it was a Minolta Flashmeter, when the income was earmarked for a lot of other things, forcing the meter to be the Minolta Autometer instead. Why are photographers not drooling over the Sekonic 758 and 'settling for' the 358...is it that most digital photographers don't perceive value in a handheld meter?

[Curtis N]

I guess I'd like a recommendation reasonably priced, reasonably featured unit. Reasonably priced should not exceed $300. Used would be more than fine also.Well, you know which one I bought. I'm happy with it, and if a truck ran over it tomorrow, I'd most likely buy another one just like it.

But I'm pretty wet behind the ears compared to the other contributors in this thread.

[JMHPhotography]

Also wet behind the ears, but I have the Sekonic and upgraded from a Minolta. I can say that there is a difference. The Sekonic is just a better meter. The readings were more consistant, and calibration was soooo much easier.

[cdifoto]

When is a light meter no a light meter?
When you smack nuts open with it. It's a nutcracker.

[Wilt]

Also wet behind the ears, but I have the Sekonic and upgraded from a Minolta. I can say that there is a difference. The Sekonic is just a better meter. The readings were more consistant, and calibration was soooo much easier.

What inconsistency were you seeing in the Minolta, that are not seen now with your current meter?

[hawk911]

Well, you know which one I bought. I'm happy with it, and if a truck ran over it tomorrow, I'd most likely buy another one just like it.

But I'm pretty wet behind the ears compared to the other contributors in this thread.

Careful- your meter may find it's way into my camera bag during the seminar and then you'll have to buy a new one.:rolleyes:

[Consensus Trance]

Why are photographers not drooling over the Sekonic 758 and 'settling for' the 358...is it that most digital photographers don't perceive value in a handheld meter?

True...hate to say it but most so-called photographers nowadays don't know how to light for beans...I constantly see people trying to fix bad lighting ratios with fill light sliders, highlight recovery, and other trickery in Raw.

But that aside.... it warms my heart when people take a serious interest in getting handheld meters and professional lighting systems. It's a whole 'nother level...it's like they're not kids anymore...and are growing up. And I love it when people get that serious. :)

[hawk911]

True...hate to say it but most so-called photographers nowadays don't know how to light for beans...I constantly see people trying to fix bad lighting ratios with fill light sliders, highlight recovery, and other trickery in Raw.

But that aside.... it warms my heart when people take a serious interest in getting handheld meters and professional lighting systems. It's a whole 'nother level...it's like they're not kids anymore...and are growing up. And I love it when people get that serious. :)

My goal is to shoot photos like Frank Doorhof, so I have to learn to use this stuff. now I may never have a studio or budget like his shoots do, but it can't hurt to dream big, can it?

[Jim M]

Still using my Gossen LunaPro SBC with a flash attachment. Dang, I'm old.

[Bill Roberts]

I've got Minolta. But it does everything I need it to do, and I can't seem to wear it out!

[Titus213]

Sekonic L-358 is what I have and B&H has it for $239 + shipping right now. The discount will be applied when you put it in you cart.

[JMHPhotography]

What inconsistency were you seeing in the Minolta, that are not seen now with your current meter?

Well... there were days where the meter give me good results, and days where the settings used from the meter would produce underexposed images and sometimes it resulted in overexposed images. I'm 90% sure it was probably that the meter itself was failing, but the Sekonic (L-358 ) that I have is pretty much dead on all the time. Issues aside, the Sekonic is really a much better tool. Averaging readings works better, calibrating is better... (the Minolta had a little potentiometer deal that was good for .4 to -.4... the Sekonic is 100% digital. Plus the PW component is killer... even though I haven't stepped up to PW's yet... (that's coming soon). But I REALLY love how the Sekonic will show you both ambient and flash readings at the same time, and give you a percentage. If you have a proper working Minolta... it's a pretty decent basic meter.

[Wilt]

Well... there were days where the meter give me good results, and days where the settings used from the meter would produce underexposed images and sometimes it resulted in overexposed images. I'm 90% sure it was probably that the meter itself was failing, but the Sekonic (L-358 ) that I have is pretty much dead on all the time.


I wonder if you were experiencing a flakey switch in the head of the meter, where the hemisphere or flat disk or reflected light attachment was mounted?! The Autometer used a pin that activated a switch to determine if it should adjust its readings for the reflected light attachment...sometimes that switch would be falsely activated with the hemishere and have badly biased readings!

[T2000]

Over here www.smartshooter.com there is a good article evaluating digital light meters. They recommend only a few models of Sekonic and Gossen. No other brands. And specifically no Minolta.

[Wilt]

Over here www.smartshooter.com (http://www.smartshooter.com) there is a good article evaluating digital light meters. They recommend only a few models of Sekonic and Gossen. No other brands. And specifically no Minolta.

It's no wonder about no Minolta...they recommend a pro meter based upon an ability to calibrate the meter. The Minolta does not have calibration like the modern Sekonic does. They recommend a pro meter based upon availability of wireless control availability, and the Minolta existed in the days when NO FLASHMETER had radio remote capability built in. the world changed.


They do state,
"So if you're using a Minolta meter and you are getting good results, stick with it. No kidding. There's no reason to move up if it's working for you. But when you discover that you... you've outgrown your meter ...you need to buy one from this page either new or used." they are recommending meters based upon the newer needs of today's professional.

I wouldn't recommend buying a Mercedes today, either...a POS for reliability. A real shame because the M-B cars of the 90's were terrific in that regard.

[nadtz]

I loved my old minolta (a hand me down from a friends dad) but got a good deal on a used sekonic 358 when the minolta died. They have both done the job they are supposed to do for me and thats what all I need from it. If I were buying now Id probably spend even less and get one via ebay, but Id rather have one in my bag than not regardless.