Light meter for around 2 bills?

[TheShooterMan]

I would like to purchase a light meter for around $200, any recommendations on brand or what options to look for? Can I get a nice meter for that, or should I wait and save a little more $? Thanks

[Jon_Doh]

New, the only one that comes to mind is Polaris by Shepherd. You might be able to find other brands used for that price range. I've used the Shepherd and it's not bad. It even has a socket to control external flashes for metering. And it has active as well as passive metering modes.

[Rudi]

A quick search on B&H website reveals several under $200... personally, I'd stretch to $260 and get the Sekonic L-358.

[David Rossberg]

I think (POTN member) lowcrust bought his Sekonic 308 for $100 new on eBay.

[René Damkot]

A quick search on B&H website reveals several under $200... personally, I'd stretch to $260 and get the Sekonic L-358.

Agree.
That is, if you want an incident meter that measures both flash and ambient...

What do you want to use the meter for?

[Titus213]

The Sekonic L-358 often goes on sale for as low as $240. I'd hold out for that unit myself.

I see one store offering a Student Price of $210 on the Sekonic. I'd probably be leary of the store, www.camcor.com, but you might look into that pricing if you qualify.

[cdifoto]

A quick search on B&H website reveals several under $200... personally, I'd stretch to $260 and get the Sekonic L-358.

Agree.
That is, if you want an incident meter that measures both flash and ambient...

What do you want to use the meter for?

The Sekonic L-358 often goes on sale for as low as $240. I'd hold out for that unit myself.
Quatto.

[Ross McT.]

A quick search on B&H website reveals several under $200... personally, I'd stretch to $260 and get the Sekonic L-358.

I agree! The 358 has never left me wanting more in a meter.

I picked up my 358 used for just under $200.

[Titus213]

He who hesitates is last.... http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=619349&highlight=Sekonic

[emtp563]

I have a Sekonic L-308S and I'm happy with it. I'm a sports shooter, so I didn't need any of the extra options the more expensive 358 had. I just needed a simple incident meter and the 308S fit the bill perfectly.

[eeeksNYC]

what does everyone think of the Minolta Auto meters? I know they are no longer made, but they seem to hold their value on ebay.

There was a time when almost every pro or serious amateur I saw had one of these.

[D Thompson]

I have a Sekonic L-308S and I'm happy with it.
^^^what he said^^^ It works fine in the studio.

[jr_senator]

You can get a Sekonic L-398A new for under $200. If you also want to measure flash this meter will not do. I have 2 meters and the L-398 is one of them. I understand batteries deplete quickly with digital meters, I don't know for sure because I have never had one. But you will not have battery problems with the L-398 as it doesn't use one. It's easy to read in bright light and shows several options as far as shutter speed and aperture combos go at the same time.