Favorite <compact> Light Meter

Favorite &lt;compact&gt; Light Meter

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I read something the other day about a guy who took light readings off the back of his hand outstreched in front of him. Does anybody else do that or what method do you use?

Thanks,
Bill
 
Yes, I do when using my old Sekonic. Meter the hand in the same light as the subject and open up one stop. Use your "head" to adjust for light or dark subjects.
 
I just took delivery of the Sekonic 208... after twiddling around with it, I think it's hands-down the best compact meter.

My main comparisons are with the VC meter II, and a Weston IV. The former is dinky, pretty good in low light, but quite slow to use, and unreliable - the ASA used to get knocked out of position, I've managed to tighten that, but I still find the exposure wheel often loses its setting, too. This isn't a problem when the meter's on a Contax for some reason, the wheels must simply be less vulnerable, but it is a constant pain on an M3. Plus, of course, when you need a finder there's no space for the VC. I will still keep this for when I run out of doors in the morning with a camera and can't be bothered to pick up two objects, but if I had to sell either the VC or the Sekonic, it would be the VC (which is also more expensive).

The Weston is of course a beautiful object, doesn't need batteries, and will last forever. But if I haven't used it for a few months, it takes me several seconds to remember how to take a reading. Its rugged mechanical feel and weight is part of its charm, but I reckon I could bring along my G9 as a meter and it wouldn't feel any bulkier.

The beauty of the Sekonic is it's just so simple; no numbers to worry about (altho it has an EV reading if you need one), you simply move the blue needle to match up with the red needle which indicates the light level, and you're there. The VC uses two readily available batteries, the Sekonic just one.The 208 is so light and compact you could have it in your jeans pocket and it wouldn't be a pain (do the same with the VC, or leave it in a bag, and you could be left with flat batteries).

Quick & dirty size comparison:
 

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Since three weeks, I use a Sekonic TWINMATE L-208 (which replaced my slightly broken Gossen Digisix) and it is a very reliable and small meter. The only drawback for me is it's limited usability in low light, the Digisix was OK down to EV3 but the L-208 readings are difficult to see below EV5 (When set to ISO 200). On the other hand, reading the correct exposure is much faster and more intuitive with the Sekonic compared to the Digisix.
 
Weston Euro quite large - selenium
Gossen Sixtomat small - selenium
Sekonic L8 small - selenium

Need to check now and again against the Canon A-1. So far they seem o.k.
 
the switch on mine got flaky, but it was a fine meter when working... fit in my pocket better than my new Twinmate-II.

pinafore2 said:
The "Capital" Cds - light meter is small and light, and cheap on e-bay. Runs on hearing-aid cells, i have used one for about 10-12 years with good results, i think.
Click to expand...
 
Gossen Digiflash - a Digisix would do but I got 'flash from a trade.

Light, small, reliable (also in dim light)...

I wouldn't like a meter attached to my camera after getting used to this. Of course a built in meter is different but I have a M4.
 
I bought a Minolta Flashmeter III about twenty or twenty-five years ago and it's the only handheld meter I've ever used or needed. Incident. Reflected. Flash. Spot. Does it all.
I don't think it's what you'd call compact, but on the other hand it's just exactly as big as it needs to be. Fits very nicely in both the left breast pocket of my vest, and my left hand, and always gives me accurate readings. What more could I ask for?
 
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Sverdlovsk 4:

• Cheap
• Tiny (9 x 5 x 2 cm)
• Accurate
• Incident plus semi-spot reflected (12 degrees)
• Wide sensitivity range
• Tiny

I don't think there's a smaller semi-spot meter.

I translated the manual from Russian plus added an addendum on buying one, how to use easily available silver batteries with it instead of the unobtainable mercury one, and other tips. See http://www.mediafire.com/file/alutct90o63/Sverdlovsk-4_Manual_(English_version_2008).pdf
 
For work stuff, I have a Minolta FM IV and a Profisix. Travelling light, it is usually a Sekonic 38 and/or Weston IV - the former has a wider range, the latter incident metering.
 
Weston Master IV

Weston Master IV

I'm currently using a Weston Master IV which I had repaired and calibrated with Light Metric (?) in California. Best thing for me is the exposure wheel has the same speeds as my M3 DS. But I also carry from time to time my Minolta IVF around when exposing for flash. I've yet to try the CVII meter, but with all these comments in this post I think I'm going to get one myself.
 
maddoc said:
Since three weeks, I use a Sekonic TWINMATE L-208 (which replaced my slightly broken Gossen Digisix) and it is a very reliable and small meter. The only drawback for me is it's limited usability in low light, the Digisix was OK down to EV3 but the L-208 readings are difficult to see below EV5 (When set to ISO 200). On the other hand, reading the correct exposure is much faster and more intuitive with the Sekonic compared to the Digisix.
Click to expand...


Agree. I love my twinmate. I do find the low-condition a little bit frustrating and I was looking for a decent sekonic digital meter for low light use. It seems like only 758D(R) would do this job appropriately
 
Last week one of my two Weston Master V meters developed a mechanical problem switching from the high to the low light scale scale to the other. Yesterday I discovered that the other one had a dead cell. Right now they're someplace between Miami, FL and Hollywood, CA going off to Quality Light Metric. They're my favorite small meter.
 
I also have a Weston Master V but the cell is nearly dead ... How much is it to have them repaired ?
 
I picked up a Gossen Pilot 2 last weekend. It's fast becoming one of my favorite small meters..
 
Maddoc, I'm not really sure what the cost for just the cell is these days. I didn't ask. I just want them fixed. They do a complete job of checking and callibrating the meter to original specs. I'm sure that if you call them they'd give you the information. Just remember that they're in the west coat time zone in case you're on the east coast and get a hankering to call about 9 AM eastern time. 323-467-2265 is the number. They don't have an 800 number.
 
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