Sekonic Light Meters; yes?

Benjamin

Benjamin

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Hi.

I need to buy a new meter tomorrow to replace my knackered MR-4. I was looking at the Sekonic L308s, but I'm now leaning more towards either the L208 or the L398a.

I just wondered if there is a good reason to go for one over the other? There doesn't seem to be much in it price wise. I would assume that perhaps the L398a is possibly more suited for studio use? That's not what I need it for by the way. I'm inside/outside, day time/night time.

Also size isn't everything and I have no real desire to put anything on the hot shoe so that doesn't really come into it. I just want something accurate and rugged enough to last a fair while.

Anyway thanks for reading. I've done a fair bit of research but just in case there's anything that I should know, it doesn't hurt to ask..


Thanks, Benjamin

P.s. I couldn't bear to put 'VS' in the title. I hope that's okay yeah
 
Hi,

I've owned both.

L208 is plasticky, cheap and cheerful. It's more light sensitive in both incident and reflective metering but if you do daytime shooting (not available darkness with a Noctilux or something) I think the L398 is a better long-term meter. It is way more rugged (which means it's a bit heavier) and it also can do both styles of metering. You can probably find a good deal on a used one, if you don't want to buy it new.

And yes, I still use my L398. 🙂
 
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I use a 208 when I need a small meter that fits my pocket. The 398 I once had was nearly useless for reflected light readings and not sensitive enough for low light. It was also too big and delicate feeling to use everywhere.
 
I have the L-208 and inherited a venerable version of the L-398a.

Yes, I find the L-398a is better used as an incident meter and the L-208 is better used as a reflected meter. The L-208 lacks the prominent dome found on the L-398a which makes it a less convenient to use as an incident meter.

In a studio, I suppose they could be used with lights, but using strobes, a flash meter serves better. And at night-time or indoors, neither meter is sensitive enough for me to be comfortable below EV 4. However, that is about all I'll chance with ISO 400 w/o flash anyway.

For these scenarios, a more light sensitive, flash meter like a Sekonic L-508 or one of its descendants would serve better. If something old school is desired, a Gossen Luna Pro F would fit the bill. These meters are larger to carry around, but versatile.

Between the L-208 and L-398a, I prefer to carry the L-208 because of its small size and light weight. On the other hand, the L-398a has better build, doesn't require batteries, and since it has been made from about when Lyndon Johnson was president, is period-correct with Leica M2's, Rollieflex TLR's, and Hasselblad 500's.
 
Thanks for your input everyone.

So, is the L208 really that useless as an incident meter?

Also, does anyone feel that the build quality is actually rubbish, or is it just that it doesn't weigh a ton? Plastic is often a lot more resistant to knocks and drops than most give it credit for.

Thanks again, Benjamin
 
Don't completely discount the L308s. I bought one a few months ago after looking at others. It's strengths are that it does both incident and reflective by simply sliding the dome over or off of the light sensor. It is also quite compact and more sensitive than the other two. In practice I much prefer a hand held meter than one that is camera mounted - easier to scan light ranges.

Steve
 
I have the L-208 and L-308s.

The 208 is small and cheerful for daylight reflective metering. I never did get the hang of using it in incident mode with any consistency. Great for Barnacks, has marks for the old shutter and aperature settings.

L-308s is much more sensitive, and has been spot-on for me; has really improved my chromes. I hardly use the 208 any more.
 
Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems t me it was an L308 I sent back because every time it shut itself off, it reverted to ISO 64 or some such. Very unhandy when your hands are full to reset - needs both hands or parts of them, anyway.
 
>>So, is the L208 really that useless as an incident meter?

Who said that??? It works fine, that is pretty much the only way I use mine. Very nice little meter. Who makes metal meters now? A soft aluminum face isn't better. The L208 feels great in your hand and works perfectly wonderfully IMO. A Gossen Pilot is a nice selenium meter to consider too.
 
L308... When they're good, they're very very good.

L308... When they're good, they're very very good.

jmg1911 said:
Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems t me it was an L308 I sent back because every time it shut itself off, it reverted to ISO 64 or some such. Very unhandy when your hands are full to reset - needs both hands or parts of them, anyway.
Click to expand...

When they're bad...wow!

I sent my l308 to Quality Light Metric and they sent it back unrepaired. Suggested I send it to MAC group who services them. I sent it in and it came back with a repair quote over $200. During this process, I was told that the L308 has a chronic issue in the form of a flakey primary circuit board. Quality Light Metric did not have access to parts.

I liked the meter, but based on that experience, I did not replace it. I now use a Gossen Luna Pro digital. Small (palm size), accurate and good on both reflected and incident readings. I bought it like new in the box for $60 used.
 
sekonic l-208

sekonic l-208

I own and use a sekonic l-208. I use it mostly in incident mode, and it seems to work pretty well for me. It is fairly sensitive, but I feel it is cheaply made. I bought one used and had to tap it to get it to work. I sent it back and was sent a new one which worked perfectly for a few months and then, same problem. I have to give it a whack and then the needle moves. Very annoying. It also seems to read a stop underexposed. All in all, I wish I went with the 308f.
 
"So, is the L208 really that useless as an incident meter?

Also, does anyone feel that the build quality is actually rubbish, or is it just that it doesn't weigh a ton? Plastic is often a lot more resistant to knocks and drops than most give it credit for."

I've got an L-208 that I've carried in a side pants pocket for over a year now. (Yes, I do change the pants, now and then. 🙂 ) That's every day, for over a year, and the meter gets banged about a good bit. So far, it's performed like a champ.

It does have a sort of cheap feel, compared to some other meters I've used (say, a Luna Pro), but so far the L-208 has held up better than that feel would suggest.
 
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