Easy to use light meter

[PeterL]

308S = EV -5 ~ EV 26.2
L358 = EV -2 to 22.9
Luna Pro S = EV -8.0 to +24

Where did you get those figures from ? From sekonic.com and gossen-photo.de, I get:

L-308S = EV 0-19.9
L-358 = EV -2-22.9
LunaSix 3S = EV -4-17 (OK, it's ot the Luna Pro S)

I myself am looking at the Gossen Sixtomat Digital: it has EV -2-20 and it's very flat at 1.5cm, so it can sit next to my wallet in my pant pocket. The tiny Digisix looked great until I read horror stories about ergonomics and about buttons being pressed when it's in your pocket. Ruben says Gossen ergonomics suck in general... The Sixtomat Digital looks simple enough to be okay, though. No hands on experience yet, comments appreciated. (I'd go for the LunaSix myself if it wasn't so darn expensive)


Peter.

 

[MelanieC]

I looked at the Gossen Digisix, but it cost more and if I remember correctly didn't do all the same things the 308S did (and did some stuff that I didn't need, like tell me what the temperature was?? -- I might have it mixed up with something else). Anyway, I was already so freaked out by the price that the idea of spending more made me say no. It is smaller though.

 

[photogdave]

I had no issues with trading off size for lack of flash meter and cine speeds, which I wouldn't need. I got my Digisix cheaper than a Sekonic 308s.
So far I haven't had an problems with ergonomics or buttons being pushed and setting changed.
Having used both in the field I think both meters are excellent choices!

 

[Guy Mann]

Where does the Quantum Calculight XP figure into this? I was looking at getting one as an available light meter for use w/ my rangefinders and TLR.

 

[ruben]

........ Ruben says Gossen ergonomics suck in general...

Peter.

No.
I say that Gossen DIALING WHEELS are a mess to read: Too small numbers tp start with, additional (for old German gear) dots, making it furtherly messing to read the combinations, and if you have a reading falling in the middle between two f/stops.... then your subject will run away before you get the best combination.

Having all the possible dis-advantages of a wheel dialing meter, they don't have the advantages of the also wheel dialing Weston Masters: compensation marks for fast compensation reading of highlights or deep blacks.

Now we should take into account that I am speaking from today's point of view, strongly influenced by the ultra fast digital meters with those big LCD numbers and quick clicks. From this perspective, the wheel dialing Westons still have much to offer vis a vis the Sekonics, not the non digital Gossens in my opinion.

Ergonomics I understand as the overall shape, size and weight. And here I have nothing to say about Gossens, not for good nor for bad.


Cheers,
Ruben

 

[PeterL]

Ok, thanks for the clarification, Ruben.

 

[peter_n]

Where does the Quantum Calculight XP figure into this? I was looking at getting one as an available light meter for use w/ my rangefinders and TLR.

Guy here is where it figures in: -7EV at 100 ASA. This meter reads in the dark - it is truly amazing. Approx. $60 on eBay.

 

[BrianShaw]

Gossen Luna-pro.

 

[peter_n]

Here's the address for the Calcu-Light manual. The meter's specification is at the end:

Quantum Calcu-Light XP Operating Instructions

 

[ErnestoJL]

I´ll give my vote for the Gossen Luna Pro (or Lunasix in Europe).
After 22 years using it I didn´t find any situation where it wouldn´t give a usable reading.

Ernesto

 

[Ariya]

Where did you get those figures from ?

I got the two Sekonic stats from B&H and the Gossen from Adorama. 😉

 

[Kim Coxon]

Hi Peter,
The Sixtomat Digital is a great meter to use. Very portable, accurate and easy to use. I am an analogue sort of guy and so initially the "menu" system took a little while to get used to but now it is great. The only "niggle" I have with it is the way the readout is presented. The Bar readout is quite small but I find it the most useful as a pictorial guide to the nearest F stop. The numerical one is large and easy to see but can be confusing initially. An exposure of just under F11 is shown as F8.9 (big 8, small 9) and so you could sett F8 when F11 would be better. Other than that, it is an excellent meter and very good VFM.

Kim

I myself am looking at the Gossen Sixtomat Digital: it has EV -2-20 and it's very flat at 1.5cm, so it can sit next to my wallet in my pant pocket. The tiny Digisix looked great until I read horror stories about ergonomics and about buttons being pressed when it's in your pocket. Ruben says Gossen ergonomics suck in general... The Sixtomat Digital looks simple enough to be okay, though. No hands on experience yet, comments appreciated. (I'd go for the LunaSix myself if it wasn't so darn expensive)


Peter.

 

[ruben]

I´ll give my vote for the Gossen Luna Pro (or Lunasix in Europe).
After 22 years using it I didn´t find any situation where it wouldn´t give a usable reading.

Ernesto

Hi compa,
Since at this thread I happened to ride at the forefront of the attack on the Gossens, and I see your posting as comming from a very humble corner, and since we both happened to be born in Buenos Aires and I like very much your enlighthening posting, I would like to clarify that I have no criticism at all for the ACCURACY of Gossen meters.

In fact I have been quite impressed by the exposure latitude data provided at this thread about the Gossens.

Still the question remains open, wether by 2006 you will recommend a guy asking for an easy to use meter, a Gossen Luna, in contrast to the Sekonic 308B. And if yes, then why. I am not the King of Knowledge nor experience, although my voice tone, and speedy tongue, sometimes seems to wish it.

Regards,
Ruben

 

[ghost]

the 308s is the cure for "classic meter fatigue". 😀

 

[Finder]

I use a Gossen Luna Pro SBC, a Sekonic Studio Deluxe, and a Minolta Spotmeter F. All are very good. I perfer analog meters to digital as the dial is easier to read off different shutter and aperture combinations - I have also used other Minolta and Sekonic digital meters, but they never got me interested in purchasing them for one reason or another. I use the Gossen the most by far. It is clear and easy to use. The Sekonic is smaller, but it is a little fuzzier in low light. I would not recommend a spotmeter for a first meter.

Basically, all modern meters are good and none are really difficult to use. It comes down to personal perferences - rangefinder or SLR kind of thing.

 

[Finder]

BTW, the Sekonic (L-389M) does not need batteries. But it does need a dark slide for bright conditions. I attached the slide to the meter with a small string as it is notorious for being lost.

 

[ghost]

what are the properties of "amorphous silicon"? does it last longer than selenium, have better low light sensitivity, or is it just environmentally friendly?

 

[jamiewakeham]

What sort of angle is covered by the reflected meter in the Sekonics, guys? I'm starting to think it's time to upgrade from my Leningrad IV; it's great for daylight B&W but not really cutting it for darker interior or for slides!

Cheers
Jamie

 

[oftheherd]

What sort of angle is covered by the reflected meter in the Sekonics, guys? I'm starting to think it's time to upgrade from my Leningrad IV; it's great for daylight B&W but not really cutting it for darker interior or for slides!

Cheers
Jamie

I'm not at home for the manual, but I think it is 30 degrees. Somebody jump in if I am wrong.

 

[oftheherd]

No.
I say that Gossen DIALING WHEELS are a mess to read: Too small numbers tp start with, additional (for old German gear) dots, making it furtherly messing to read the combinations, and if you have a reading falling in the middle between two f/stops.... then your subject will run away before you get the best combination.

Having all the possible dis-advantages of a wheel dialing meter, they don't have the advantages of the also wheel dialing Weston Masters: compensation marks for fast compensation reading of highlights or deep blacks.

Now we should take into account that I am speaking from today's point of view, strongly influenced by the ultra fast digital meters with those big LCD numbers and quick clicks. From this perspective, the wheel dialing Westons still have much to offer vis a vis the Sekonics, not the non digital Gossens in my opinion.

Ergonomics I understand as the overall shape, size and weight. And here I have nothing to say about Gossens, not for good nor for bad.


Cheers,
Ruben

Ruben, I sure am glad you are neutral about Gossens. 😀

I find them easy enough to use. Both give all combinations of shutter and aperture you might want to use. The Luna Pro is a little smaller, but the Luna Pro sbc probably more versatile. Fwiw, I also have a Sekonic Studio Deluxe that reads in surprisingly low light for a selenium meter. But a Gossen Luna Pro it ain't.

Still, the advantage of getting so many responses is that everyone is different and has different preferences. This gives a chance to check out all the differences for what a person prefers.