Favorite <compact> Light Meter

[lawrence]

I love the Digiflash and carry it everywhere but I just wish they'd left off all the silly multifunction stuff. If I need to know the time I carry a watch; if I need to know the temperature I carry a thermometer etc.

 

[rpsawin]

I use the VC II, but next time I'm in the US I'm buying the Sekonic 208. The VC's ASA setting keeps getting knocked out of position on my M3 (altho not on my Kiev II) - almost invariably when I'm guessing an exposure and the meter reading is radically different, it's because the meter got knocked out of whack.

Paul,

I feel your pain. I usually tape the dial with some scotch tape. It's kludgy but it works.

Bob

 

[ghostganz]

I have the Gossen Digisix, and mine is eating batteries. At least draining them in around a month, while they're supposed to last longer than that. I also think there is a bad connection to the battery in it, since sometimes it resets itself when in use.

Also, the big function button is too easy to press. When I take it out of a pocket, it's usually showing the temperture or something else other than the EV.

When I think about it, I think it's the single most annoying electronic device I own. 🙄

 

[rumbliegeos]

I have the Sekonic 208, the Digisix, and the Sekonic 308b. The 308b is a wonderful studio meter, as long as you don't need spot reading. Of the compact meters, I prefer the Sekonic 208 because the ergonomics of the Digisix are not as convenient IMO. However, the ISO setting on the 208 is pretty coarse, almost too small for a dial-type scale, and the Digisix is more precise in that department.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I'm in the market for a small meter.
I've sort of settled on the VCII because I'd like to use it on a cold shoe.
How does the digisix compare to the VCII in that application?

 

[gb hill]

I have an old GE meter from the 50s or 60s and highly doubt it's accuracy. I use an old Leningrad 6 and it seems to be pretty good, eventhough I sometimes question the user. 😉 I would like to have a good one sometime but I don't really know much about them.

 

[rumbliegeos]

To operate the Digisix, you have to push one of two similar sized buttons on the top of the meter: i.e. not terrifically convenient if you try to do it when the meter is in a cold shoe and you are framing a shot. If you press the wrong button the meter goes into another function mode. I have not looked closely at the VC meter specs but they are probably better for on-camera use. The Digisix mounted on top of a camera would also look like a miniature, plastic, black tortoise compared with the little metallic VC meter.
gerry

 

[zooyorkzooo]

Im in the same situation as dazedgonebye. I want a compact meter for the coldshoe but im probly gonna have to just save up for the VCII anyone know a cheaper option?

 

[dlove5]

Another vote for Brand X. Quantum Calcu-lite XP. Bought it back in college 30 years ago. I am another fan of its low light level capabilities. If I really want to go small, I use a Leica MR meter either on my M2 or as a handheld. It is not near as easy to use as the Calcu-lite.

 

[icebear]

Digisix, not perfect but works for me

Digisix, not perfect but works for me

Another vote for the Gossen Digi-Six here,
I use it only for wide angle shots, where the TTL metering covers such a large area that is more by chance than actual metering. Mine doesn't eat the batteries and yes I'm also annoyed by tipsy buttons which get pushed while carrying it in a pocket. I will put some foam rubber around it - but that not high up there on the priority list before X-mas 😉 .

 

[FPjohn]

Incident DigiSix

Incident DigiSix

It is the DigiSix used as an incident meter for me. A Euromaster is the more deliberate choice for premeditated photo project.

yours
FPJ

 

[nikon_sam]

Just last week I picked up a Gossen Pilot and a Weston Master II...
The Weston is spot on with my Luna Pro SBC...haven't really tested the Pilot...
The Weston being close to 60 years old is in Like New condition and it came with the box, case and instruction manual...
I paid $8 for the Weston and $5 for the Pilot...
The Weston is my newest favorite for now...

 

[shadowfox]

I use the old Sekonic L-308 (the selenium one).
But my "dream" meter is the tiny Petri meter that can be mounted on the flash-shoe. I want the round one, not the boxy ones they sell on the bay.

 

[jvr]

I prefer the VC-II, although somtimes my LeicaMeter gets out on the M3. The only problem with the VC is the ASA dial, that can (and will, exactly in the instant when it shouldn't) be knocked off easily.

Apart from that, is much more precise than my LeicaMeter, especially in low light. I tend to use no meter when using the M3 on B&W, just take a read once in a while to check my "assumptions"... 🙂

 

[BillP]

Said it before, and I'll say it again.

Panasonic FX-01.

Smaller than most small meters, with a spot capability. And it takes pictures.

It's what I check the light with when I set out with my IIIc or M2. I then work from that as a starting point, plus applied Sunny f11 (in the UK).

Works for me.

Regards.

Bill

 

[Luddite Frank]

( Is there any thing I DON'T collect ???)

I have about 2-dozen light-meters...

The one that is probably the best and most accurate is a Gossen Luna-Six (1960's). It is bulky.

Prior to that, my workhorse was a Weston Master III (stainless-steel); still pretty accurate. I recently scrounged an invercone incident light attachment for it. These are bulky too, and the case is a bit of a pain, having to flip-open both the front AND the back to take a reading.

I also have a couple of the GE DY "art-deco" meters; they're quaint.

I really like the GE PR-1 (early '50s: "The meter with a memory! "), with it's knob-set low/hi range, and "trident" pointer.... easy to use; not sure how accurate they are as senior citizens.

Other users are: Norwood Director (fiddly, with those slide-in masks, domes, etc.); Sekonic Leader L-VI; Soligor Spot-Sensor (1 st series).

( Then there's the big box o' "toy" meters & curiosities)

I would like to find a reasonably accurate, small, shoe-mount meter to use with my LTMs...

 

[thawkins]

light meters

light meters

Gossen Luna Pro "F"

 

[visiondr]

Gossen Luna Pro "F"

A great meter but 'compact'?

 

[lawrence]

Compared to my Minolta Auto-Spot II it is 😀

 

[mackigator]

RE: Bill P raises something I've been wondering about

Can anyone tell me why I shouldn't use my smallish digital camera as a light meter? I have a Weston Master II and a Master IV, both working.

But I find my Lumix LX1 with its choices of spot, matrix, center weighted to work pretty well, too. It's main liability is its inability to use a shutter speed longer than 60 secs or an f stop above f8, so I end up calculating long night exposures in my head sometimes. I end up using the LX1 quite a bit to meter or proof for a film shot in situations where I have time to set up.