Need a flash meter - seeking advise.

What is a good starter flash meter? I have a 580EX2 and a 270EX2 and Yongnuo YN-622C triggers. I would love to be able to trigger the flash while standing next to the subject, vs having them hold it. Or is that a biggy?

Sekonic L-358.

Use the 622 from the camera (or a spare) to trigger the lights.

DunnoWhen wrote in post #17795486
Sekonic L-358.

Use the 622 from the camera (or a spare) to trigger the lights.

this is my solution. I dropped my previous meter which smashed it to pieces, then bought the 358. As long as you don't have a cup of coffee, or a beer in one hand, you can hit the test button on your trigger while holding the meter in the other hand.

i think i picked mine up on the for sale pages here for $180. If you see one come up for sale, act immediately, they go fast.

I have the L-478D which is I think the update to the one being recommended to you. The touchscreen is blessing and curse: nice big easy-to-read display, but also a bit too easy to accidentally change settings when holding it or putting it in your pocket. You have to be careful when you look at the reading and make sure you haven't changed the ISO or shutter speed just by handling the meter. I normally just pop the strobes with the test button right from whatever trigger I'm using.

Thanks folks. I tried out the L-308DC a couple years ago; but it was before the current flashes. I had a 285HV at the time. Is the L-358 really going to be better than the L-308DC? Price is about the same well, on the used L-358

javapop wrote in post #17795783
Thanks folks. I tried out the L-308DC a couple years ago; but it was before the current flashes. I had a 285HV at the time. Is the L-358 really going to be better than the L-308DC? Price is about the same well, on the used L-358

not a huge difference between the two

http://www.sekonic.com …/all/comparison​chart.aspx

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #17796132
not a huge difference between the two

http://www.sekonic.com …/all/comparison​chart.aspx

I read that the 358 could do measurements of mixed ambient and flash; but the 308 can't.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/78232​7

javapop wrote in post #17796213
I read that the 358 could do measurements of mixed ambient and flash; but the 308 can't.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/78232​7

yup, pretty sure that is the "Flash Analysis" feature.

javapop wrote in post #17796213
I read that the 358 could do measurements of mixed ambient and flash; but the 308 can't.

http://www.fredmiranda​.com/forum/topic/78232​7

That is correct.

The L358 can also accept adapters to make it be a true spot meter (for reflected light only). I use the 1° adapter. In addition, 5° and 10° adapters are/were available as well.

javapop wrote in post #17796213
I read that the 358 could do measurements of mixed ambient and flash; but the 308 can't.

L-308 integrates ambient light just fine. Just set the shutter speed on the meter before the flash reading.

javapop wrote in post #17796213
I read that the 358 could do measurements of mixed ambient and flash; but the 308 can't.

RicoTudor wrote in post #17798485
L-308 integrates ambient light just fine. Just set the shutter speed on the meter before the flash reading.

I'm pretty sure that what javapop was referring to is that the Sekonic L358 meter can show you a ratio of flash-sourced light to continuous light in the scene that it is measuring. It does this for each reading it makes that include flash and continuous light.

To the best of my knowledge, the L308 meter cannot do that at all.

Ah, true, the so-called flash analyzing function is absent from the 308.

I'm probably odd man out, but I was never enamored with the L358. It was bulky and the ambient\flash feature wasn't accurate enough for me. I found chimping for ratios is much more to my liking. I would go with a simpler model.

windpig wrote in post #17799079
I'm probably odd man out, but I was never enamored with the L358. It was bulky and the ambient\flash feature wasn't accurate enough for me. I found chimping for ratios is much more to my liking. I would go with a simpler model.

I have always been puzzled by the need for the ability to see flash:ambient in ratios as precise as 10% increments (which Sekonic flaunted in its advertising/literature to differentiate themselves from Minolta, who they were trying to catch up with in the marketplace 30 years ago), using the L358. The Minolta meters with ratio capability do so in 25% increments (and Minolta never particularly boasted about the capability), and like you, windpig, I have simply not used the function at all. Neither approach has a particular inherent advantage (or use!). For others reading this thread, think about this...

1. 1:1 shows 50%:50%
   
2. 1:2 shows 33%:66% ('low contrast' per traditional portrait lighting texts)
   
3. 1:3 shows 25%:75% ('medium contrast' per traditional portrait lighting texts)
   
4. 1:4 shows 20%:80%
   
5. 1:5 shows 17%:83% ('high contrast' per traditional portrait lighting texts)
   
6. 1:6 shows 14%: 86%
   
7. 1:7 shows 12.5%:87.5%
   

Wilt wrote in post #17799279
I have always been puzzled by the need for the ability to see flash:ambient in ratios as precise as 10% increments

For me it's shooting with the flash as fill and dialing pretty close to flat for what I've been trying to achieve. I said screw it and set up the picture style such that I get a pretty accurate depiction of contrast.