How to read from Sekonik 358

[Papa Carlo]

When I look at the lightmeter's LCD at the right angle the text starts disappearing and is pain to read. When I tilt the lightmeter at 45 degrees and loook from the handle the text is much more contrast but it pain to read a that angle :-(
Is this a standard fetature of this gadget ?

[TMR Design]

I'm not exactly sure what you're seeing or if there is a problem with your meter but for the record, the display on Sekonic meters is a standard LCD display. There is nothing special about it and is not designed to be read from angles. Is there a reason you want to or have to read the meter from an angle? I read my meter head on and have never once had a problem with it. What method of metering are you using and can you explain why you have to read it from off axis?

[PacAce]

I've never had issues with the LCD screen on my Sekonic light meter either. But I don't have the L-358 so I can't comment specifically about that.

[Technician X]

I have the L-358 and read it head on with no issues. May be a problem with your unit.

[Papa Carlo]

I'm not exactly sure what you're seeing or if there is a problem with your meter but for the record, the display on Sekonic meters is a standard LCD display. There is nothing special about it and is not designed to be read from angles. Is there a reason you want to or have to read the meter from an angle? I read my meter head on and have never once had a problem with it. What method of metering are you using and can you explain why you have to read it from off axis?
It appeared you are wrong that there is nothing special about the LCD :-)
It is special in a way that you cannot read it looking from the side where the measuring dome is. At right angle the text is still readable bust starts disappearing. As I was explained it is designed that way so liquid crystalls would not reflect ligh on the measuring element and interfere with the results.

[gofer]

It appeared you are wrong that there is nothing special about the LCD :-)
It is special in a way that you cannot read it looking from the side where the measuring dome is. At right angle the text is still readable bust starts disappearing. As I was explained it is designed that way so liquid crystalls would not reflect ligh on the measuring element and interfere with the results.

That's an interesting observation Papa Carlo and this post makes it much more clear what I think you trying to say in your first post. You are correct in what you say inasmuch that when viewing it from the dome end the display disappears, but I'm not totally convinced it's been designed like that in order to protect the dome from the light emitted from the LCD (although never say never). I think it's likely that as the normal holding position of the L358 is with the front inclined away from you, the LCD has also been design for optimum visibility at this angle. I find if I hold my L358 without thinking about it too much, the dome end of the instrument is inclined away from me and that is the best angle for clarity of the LCD.

[Lotto]

Yes, my 358 does the same thing. But since the reading stays after the measurement, I never have a problem reading it.

[FlyingPhotog]

@ the OP: Perhaps your battery is dying?

[DSMITH131]

This is normal with Liquid crystal displays

[TMR Design]

@ the OP: Perhaps your battery is dying?

When the battery starts to go the display does not dim. The battery indicator will flash and when there isn't enough juice to power the meter or display it powers down.

[PacAce]

It appeared you are wrong that there is nothing special about the LCD :-)
It is special in a way that you cannot read it looking from the side where the measuring dome is. At right angle the text is still readable bust starts disappearing. As I was explained it is designed that way so liquid crystalls would not reflect ligh on the measuring element and interfere with the results.

I have to ask. Do you also look at your flat screen TV or computer monitor from the side, too? How about the LCD screen of you digital camera? From the side, too? :confused:

Maybe it's just me, but isn't it rather obvious that you have to face the LCD screen of the light meter head-on in order to read it? Or am I missing something here? :|

[Papa Carlo]

I have to ask. Do you also look at your flat screen TV or computer monitor from the side, too? How about the LCD screen of you digital camera? From the side, too? :confused:

Maybe it's just me, but isn't it rather obvious that you have to face the LCD screen of the light meter head-on in order to read it? Or am I missing something here? :|

There is a slight difference between purpose of flat screen TV and lightmeter
:-)
Yes, to me it also WAS obviout that LCD screen should be designed in a way when looking at it at right angle the image should be the most contrasty. But it is not so obvious anymore.

[Papa Carlo]

That's an interesting observation Papa Carlo and this post makes it much more clear what I think you trying to say in your first post. You are correct in what you say inasmuch that when viewing it from the dome end the display disappears, but I'm not totally convinced it's been designed like that in order to protect the dome from the light emitted from the LCD (although never say never). I think it's likely that as the normal holding position of the L358 is with the front inclined away from you, the LCD has also been design for optimum visibility at this angle. I find if I hold my L358 without thinking about it too much, the dome end of the instrument is inclined away from me and that is the best angle for clarity of the LCD.
I am very convinced. If you look from the handle at very very sharp angle the text is still very visible much more visible than when looking perpendicularly to the screen.

[Technician X]

I am very convinced. If you look from the handle at very very sharp angle the text is still very visible much more visible than when looking perpendicularly to the screen.


Am I the only one that is confused here? Why are you looking at the light meter at an angle?

[Titus213]

Am I the only one that is confused here? Why are you looking at the light meter at an angle?

+1 - :lol:

[Papa Carlo]

Am I the only one that is confused here? Why are you looking at the light meter at an angle?
Now I am confused :(. The whole post is about the text not very visible when looking perpendicularly to the screen

[hawk911]

i expected this to be about how to read the displayed values, not the display angle. boy was I waylayed:rolleyes: