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FORUMS General Gear Talk Flash and Studio Lighting 
Thread started 30 May 2008 (Friday) 14:12
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Cheapest Light Meter?

 
briancmo
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May 30, 2008 14:12 |  #1

I have a sekonic 398 (analogue) and I would like to get one with a digital display...but am slightly broke after putting some money in reserve for a hasselblad. I don't shoot any studio stuff, mainly outdoor landscape. I'm trying to find something used on ebay for around $100...suggestions?

I was looking at the Minolta IV but haven't heard too much about it or comparable models.


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DocFrankenstein
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May 30, 2008 14:23 |  #2

http://toronto.en.crai​gslist.ca/tor/pho/7009​85868.html (external link)

I've also seen an L358 which is more suitable for hassy shooting (size wise) for 150 bucks yesterday, I think it might be gone.


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fjgindy
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May 30, 2008 14:38 |  #3
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Sekonic L308 or Polaris SPD100. You can usually find both used right at $100. Flip a coin..both units are very similar.




  
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Bill ­ Roberts
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May 30, 2008 14:54 |  #4

I've used a Minolta Auto meter IVF for years now. No problems at all and built like a tank. You can often find them on ebay quite cheaply. However Minolta aren't around now (I think they were taken over by Sony) so getting one fixed if it did go wrong may be more of a problem than if you went with Sekonic.


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DC ­ Fan
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May 30, 2008 19:58 as a reply to  @ Bill Roberts's post |  #5

Least expensive and smallest "digital" meter is a Gossen Digiflash (external link) for around $250 U.S.




  
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DocFrankenstein
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May 30, 2008 20:03 |  #6

DC Fan wrote in post #5628074 (external link)
Least expensive and smallest "digital" meter is a Gossen Digiflash (external link) for around $250 U.S.

Is the L-308 larger than the gossen?

I think it might be a better meter overall and it's only 189 new (external link)


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Moonjo
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May 31, 2008 01:50 |  #7

Bill Roberts wrote in post #5626692 (external link)
I've used a Minolta Auto meter IVF for years now. No problems at all and built like a tank. You can often find them on ebay quite cheaply. However Minolta aren't around now (I think they were taken over by Sony) so getting one fixed if it did go wrong may be more of a problem than if you went with Sekonic.

FYI... Kenko now makes the Minolta Auto meter, http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …1100_Auto_Digi_​Meter.html (external link)

The Sekonic L-308S is still cheaper and probably your best bet.


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Bill ­ Roberts
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May 31, 2008 02:07 |  #8

Thanks for the info Moonjo, it's appreciated.


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jr_senator
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May 31, 2008 09:51 |  #9

briancmo wrote in post #5626381 (external link)
I have a sekonic 398 (analogue) and I would like to get one with a digital display...

May I ask why? The last meter I bought, a few years ago, was a Gossen Luna-Pro F. It is my primary meter. Just wondering why a digital meter?



  
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briancmo
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May 31, 2008 10:27 |  #10

jr_senator wrote in post #5630698 (external link)
May I ask why? The last meter I bought, a few years ago, was a Gossen Luna-Pro F. It is my primary meter. Just wondering why a digital meter?

the one i have is pretty slow to move all the dials and set up. It's also a bit broken so it needs a lot of coddling. So rather then buying another 398 i figured why not just get a cheap digital.


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René ­ Damkot
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May 31, 2008 10:30 |  #11

For landscapes, I'd prefer a spot meter.
Pentax and Minolta used to make decent ones...


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DocFrankenstein
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May 31, 2008 12:17 |  #12

René Damkot wrote in post #5630838 (external link)
For landscapes, I'd prefer a spot meter.
Pentax and Minolta used to make decent ones...

Oh yeah, I missed that part. For landscapes you need a spotmeter... ambient is about as useful as the sunny 16 rule.


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Moonjo
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May 31, 2008 14:18 as a reply to  @ DocFrankenstein's post |  #13

One of the cool things about the Sekonic (over the old Minoltas and current Kenkos) is that they can be configured to measure in 1/3 f stops as well as 1/10th increments. So, for digital cameras the 1/3 stops is a nice feature.


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briancmo
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Jun 03, 2008 08:34 as a reply to  @ Moonjo's post |  #14

I know this is a stupid question...but...

Whats a spot meter? And is there any advantage of having a digital meter vs my analogue meter via the quality 'needle'?

And lastly, all this is so cool! Why did DSLR's kill the art and process of the whole photography thing :(


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jr_senator
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Jun 03, 2008 11:35 |  #15

briancmo wrote in post #5649319 (external link)
I know this is a stupid question...but...Whats a spot meter? And is there any advantage of having a digital meter vs my analogue meter...?

A spot meter is a reflective meter reading that covers a very small area, maybe even only one degree. I find the advantages with an analogue meter to be; one can see several setting options at a glance, easier to read in bright light and the battery seems to last forever.

briancmo wrote in post #5649319 (external link)
Why did DSLR's kill the art and process of the whole photography thing :(

Didn't kill it for me but opened a whole new world of art and process.



  
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