help me see the light...meter

[zuikologist]

Vivitar 43 - perhaps not quite in the same league as the modern meters mentioned above, but still relatively modern and very usable - it takes LR44/SR44 batteries. mine cost $10. It has a built-in incident attachment and seems accurate against my SLR meters. Karen Nakamura likes it.

http://www.photoethnography.com/equipment.html

 

[SRMC]

I have the Digisix and am relatively happy, but consider whether you want a light meter, or a clock/stopwatch/timer/thermometer/light meter.

In terms of its lightmeter functioning I'm satisfied. But, Sekonic should have just made it a lightmeter, not a multi-function device. I don't really need to know what temperature it is to set my aperture and shutter speed. If you press the wrong button, or accidentally press it while it is in your pocket, it will change the function and won't be ready to meter. As there is only one button for selecting the function, you have to go through all of the other functions to get back to the meter function. It can be annoying. But, considering the cost, it ok.

Steve
SRMC

 

[djon]

The extra button on the digisix is silly and lightly annoying, but it's not really a problem...you just click the extra button a few times and you're home. The way to avoid the problem entirely is to wear the meter like a pendant, keeping it in its soft case.

It's a wonderful little meter...people on rangefinder.net tipped me to it. I seem to use mine mostly incident (white dome) rather than reflected...works great that way. Way better than my Lunapro was (quick, accurate, low light).

 

[cp_ste.croix]

my luna pro just arrived today, and, while big, is as accurate and pretty neat. plus it'll go down to EV -4!!!

 

[jlw]

I have the Digisix and am relatively happy, but consider whether you want a light meter, or a clock/stopwatch/timer/thermometer/light meter.

In terms of its lightmeter functioning I'm satisfied. But, Sekonic should have just made it a lightmeter, not a multi-function device. I don't really need to know what temperature it is to set my aperture and shutter speed.

Worse yet, Sekonic shouldn't have put Gossen's brand name on it... ;-)

About that thermometer, it's actually a useful feature that very few owners understand. Its purpose isn't just to tell you what temperature it is right now. It has a memory for the highest and lowest temperature encountered since the last reset. So if you are traveling, you reset the temperature memory, pack the meter with your film, and then when you reach your destination, you can check to make sure your film wasn't exposed to excess temperatures in transit.

 

[solane]

May I suggest the Sekonic L-208?

i bought one of L-208s recently too but i'm still getting the hang of using it.

bob, do you find that its accurate? i've been trying to verify/compare its meter readings to my (dare i admit it?) dSLR and SLR which are both fairly new cameras to verify that the meters in my RFs and decrepitly old (and most beloved) manual SLR are working properly but my results are widely varying. any advice?

 

[solane]

Worse yet, Sekonic shouldn't have put Gossen's brand name on it... ;-)

About that thermometer, it's actually a useful feature that very few owners understand.

i've also heard that people who might shoot polaroids find the thermometer useful for timing their prints in the field. i thought a thermometer on a light meter sounded silly until i read that. i think its kind of cool now!

 

[SRMC]

Worse yet, Sekonic shouldn't have put Gossen's brand name on it... ;-)

Now I'm suitably embarassed. :bang:

That's what I get for posting when I should be working. Now I'll go sit red-faced in the corner.

Steve
SRMC

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

ah buhleave! oh lohd, the meters be bountiful! But which one is D 1? ah want to buhleave!

 

[wlewisiii]

Shrug. I'm really happy with my VC Meter II. It does everything I need without any extranious cruft. Plus it fits on top of all of my cameras that need it. What more can I really ask for?

William

 

[peter_n]

I'm using a Quantum Calculight XP that I got about two months ago. After a couple of weeks of neurotic dial twiddling (it provides a digital readout in 1/3EV values that you dial in) I've settled down and now it's my main meter, replacing the Magnetron Euromaster. Reads down to -7EV, but was discontinued a few years ago. When they come up for sale they go for around $60-80. Great meter if you shoot in low light.

 

[timeUnit]

I have to second on the Gossen Digisix. It's small, light, does what it should, pretty cheap. Batteries are no problem.

Good no-frills meter. 🙂