L-398 Sekonic Calibration...

[angeloks]

Hi,

I just got that beautiful little thing to go along my Leica IIf. Now, I'm trying to calibrate it. No matter how I turn the screw, the needle stays bellow zero when the meter is 'erect' (to use the manuel terminology).

I did a few tests with my EOS-1V meter and my wall. The camera tells me f4.0, 400iso and 1/8s. When I check with the L398 'erected' I get the needle bellow zero, nothing. When I incline it 90CW, I could easily calibrate it to get the right value. Is my meter calibrated to be used 90CW? I tried to turn the screw to get the right value when 'erected' but it seems to be impossible... I checked on a another wall, the camera tells me 1/100s, the meter give me 1/50s when used in the vertical position and 1/125s when turned 90CW...

Is the meter defective? A calibration problem? Or is it simply me... Am I out of the dynamic range of the meter? If so, why when I obstrude the cell, I am not able to get a 0 value when 'erect' (I'm stock at -5 or -10)?

 

[rtphotos]

Hi angeloks,

Just a few thoughts. Maybe this bump will get someone to respond.

A reading of "f4.0, 400iso and 1/8s" means that you were in fairly low light. Did you happen to have the "High-slide" installed on the Sekonic? That might lead to a 0 reading.

Turning your meter 90 degrees certainly can alter the exposure reading 1 or more stops - it depends on overhead lighting (sun or room lights, etc.). Are you using the white dome and taking an incident meter reading, or the disc and taking a reflective reading?

You will need to address the 0 calibration, though. Something doesn't sound right and if it can't be solved, you may need to get the meter serviced.

Good luck!
rt 🙂

 

[angeloks]

True that, I should precise these things : I didn't have the 'High-slide' installed. I was doing an incident reading using the white dome.

Thanks !