Compact light meter for M2

[nickthetasmaniac]

Hi folk, I apologise if this has been covered but all the threads I can find are a few years old now...

I've recently picked up an M2 which is quickly turning into my main shooting kit. Thus far I've either been metering with an app on my iPhone, or using sunny 16 with a fair degree of hit and miss... For a couple of reasons (mainly battery life, accuracy, interface and cost/security) I'd prefer not to be tied to my phone when shooting, so I'm looking at picking up a proper light meter.

Not having owned one before I *think* I'm after something compact, simple and intuitive that offers both incident and reflective metering. Price isn't the first consideration but obviously I don't want to pay more than necessary.

When using film I mainly shoot street and landscape.

The models I've been looking at:

- Sekonic L-208 Twinmate - Cheap, simple, tiny and intuitive. Not the best low-light accuracy.

- Gossen Digisix 2 - Cheapish, tiny and more accurate than above. More fiddly interface and reputation for eating batteries.

I've also looked at the Sekonic L-308S, but it seems bigger and more complicated that I need or want.

Thoughts?

 

[richard_l]

I use a Sekonic L-308B, which is very similar to the L-308S. It is not at all complicated to use, and more importantly, it consistently gives accurate exposures. The size is just right for easy handling, and compared to the bulk of the M2, it is quite small.

 

[jamin-b]

I use the twin mate - it's so light and compact (slips easily into a pocket), that i actually take it with me when I need it. I misplaced the hotshoe mount, but otherwise wiould consider using it on camera.

And of course there is the Leicameter. I have a fully functioning one that came with my M3, which actually makes changing shutter speed easier than the camera's small dial and provides accurate readings. I think it would also work on an M2.

 

[srmulcahy]

I can't say enough how much I love my Gossen Digisix 2. Fits in the pocket and is always spot on with the incident meter. I personally have never had any issues with the battery.

 

[GarageBoy]

The L308 isn't that big (large smartphone sized) and I prefer the push button to read method over the match needle/dial used by the mini meters

 

[FrankS]

I have several meters including the twin mate and the sekonic mentioned above.
The twin mate is not the best for low light.
The sekonic I bought for its flash metering capability.

I can add the CV Meter ll for your consideration. No incident metering, but its very small and mounts atop my M2 nicely.

 

[Jerevan]

Another vote for the L308s. No fuss, super simple operation and takes one AA battery. It's always in my bag.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I also use iPhone app, S16 as well and purchased Twin Mate for "true" light meter. Works well indoors and for incident light.
Like giving me 1/30 for f1.5 with ISO400 is accurate for b/w film.
Nicely made, small in size and has very easy to read and informative scale. Way better comparing to single digit digital ones, IMO.
To me low light is then exposure is in tens of seconds or in minutes, 208 isn't good for it (I use iPhone app for it)

 

[trotsky1920]

I can second the VC II... It's small and works. all I use for my M2

 

[SolaresLarrave]

The Twin L-208 covers my needs, indoors and outdoors. I don't think there's yet a perfect meter for low light... So, I recommend the Sekonic L-208.

 

[splitimageview]

I've owned the original VC Meter, it worked well. I assume the II is better.

But I use an original Digisix now. Almost weightless, 39 grams. An AA battery weighs 27g...

 

[nikku]

I wrestled with this issue for a while, and finally settled on a Gossen Luna Pro Digital F. Compact, reasonably priced, and takes easy to find batteries.

 

[drewbarb]

Another vote for the L308s. No fuss, super simple operation and takes one AA battery. It's always in my bag.

What he said. Plus- after using a small hand-held meter for more than 20 years, the thing tends to just stay in my bag more and more, making it VERY convenient. 😀

 

[BLKRCAT]

4th for VC-II

 

[pete hogan]

L-208 works well for me. I like the small size and the analog meter and exposure exchange on the dial.

 

[Brian Legge]

L208 here as well. If you are shooting with a tripod or noctilux with high speed film you may have issues with the mete range but it's been great for hand held use.

 

[maddoc]

I have and use mostly- alternately - L208, CVII, MR-4 meter. The L208 is the best (easiest to use hand-held) meter for every day usage, IMO.

 

[filmtwit]

I have the Gossen, while it fits on Leica and Nikons, the design in use is actually pretty clunky if you ask me.
My preference for a small fits on the camera lightmeter is the more expensive Voitlander VCC series lightmeters. Small, simple and ease of use.

- Gossen Digisix 2 - Cheapish, tiny and more accurate than above. More fiddly interface and reputation for eating batteries.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Given the range of positive experiences it doesn't sound like there's a bad choice for basic use... For those that mentioned the VCII, I did look at it but would prefer an incident meter.

At the moment I think the L-308 looks like the most solid option.

 

[Moto Mark]

Another endorsement for the VC II, I also have a M2 and it stays on the top of the camera most of the time.

The other meter I carry is the Sekonic L-398A, it's easy to use, never needs a battery and your kid will pass it on to his kid.