How good is a Sekonic tolerate to abuse?

[danielyamseng]

My Sekonic light meter was accidentally grapped by one of my friend toddler. She rapidly press the button and turn it off and on before I had a chance to give a chase for it.

It is done any harm to the lightmeter?

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I do not believe that would hurt it. I watched a live demo where coffee and other liquids were poured on it, then it was tossed across the room and landed on the tiled floor and was fine. Sekonic light meters are well built.

[danielyamseng]

SoaringUSAEagle, it's really that tough? Otherwise I'd ask the fella for a replacement:)

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Yes it really is that tough. I've watched the guys with the MAC Group demo this twice. They visited my college a few times while I was there. Of course they had all sorts of toys... Mamiya med format cameras, Profoto gear, Olympus, etc...

[Papa Carlo]

Sure turning the lightmeter on and off makes it inoperable.
Sue the bastard !

[tim]

I don't see how turning it on and off rapidly could possibly hurt it. I've had my L358 for 5 years, it's been well treated except for the occasional dropping, and I found it under the sofa once, but it looks as good as new. I tend to lose the little black cap over the PC port occasionally, but it usually turns up - once it turned up a year later!

[danielyamseng]

tim, I read the manual it's clearly stated that 'Don't power off your unit and turn it on in less than 20 seconds.Otherwise it'd shorten the lifespan of the unit or damaging the unit.'

And that's what worrying me.

[tim]

Well in theory reading the manual is a good thing, but i've seen manuals for hair driers that say "do not use while sleeping", and a chefs knife with the label "warning - sharp".

To the best of my knowledge turning it on and off every 3 seconds shouldn't hurt it. I'd turn mine on and off every 3 seconds for an hour to test it but I can't be bothered. If it works, it works. Stop worrying.

People sure pick some weird things to worry about.

[TMR Design]

HI Daniel,

I don't understand enough about the electronics and workings of the Sekonic meters but I own the L-758DR and I checked the operating manual for my meter.

In the first section of the manual there are some basic operating instructions and a 'Before Using' section.

There is a highlighted note that clearly states:

"A 3 second pause between power on and off is recommended to avoid damage to the meter."

That's all it says with no further explanation. I'm very curious and would like to better understand that warning.

[danielyamseng]

rob, I own the Sekonic 358.I recall it stated 20sec. But I'll have to dig the manual again just confirm whether it's 20sec or not :-)

[Papa Carlo]

rob, I own the Sekonic 358.I recall it stated 20sec. But I'll have to dig the manual again just confirm whether it's 20sec or not :-)
http://www.sekonic.com/images/files/L-358.pdf
Page 4

[TMR Design]

http://www.sekonic.com/images/files/L-358.pdf
Page 4

So the same warning applies to both meters. I still don't understand it.

[TMR Design]

I just spoke to tech support and the product manager at Sekonic.

I was told that they turn the meters on and off all day long and never even think about it and can do the on-off-on-off-on-off thing all day and have never damaged a meter.

While they couldn't offer a comprehensive answer, they believe that the warning was originally in the older Sekonic manuals as a precaution because there could still be small amounts of voltage that had not dissipated and like any CPU, should be allowed to discharge before powering back up again.

Technology has changed but those warnings from the old Japanese manuals have not. Sekonic (MAC Group) in the US just distributes and supports the meters but has nothing to do with the printed documentation and they feel that the manuals should be updated and that warning does not belong there.

[RDKirk]

I do not believe that would hurt it. I watched a live demo where coffee and other liquids were poured on it, then it was tossed across the room and landed on the tiled floor and was fine. Sekonic light meters are well built.

If you'll notice the specs in the manual, Sekonic states that their meters have an official waterproofing rating of "JIS-4" under the Japan Industrial Standards. Unlike any of the camera manufacturers, Sekonic is willing to go on record with exactly what "watersealing" means with their products.

[tim]

I never read the manual for my L-358, I just started using it.

[danielyamseng]

Papa Carlo, thanks for digging up the manual for me! Having hard time digging my hard copy.

Rob, I was impressed by your effort by calling the them just to confirm that it's nothing wrong with that :-).