light meter questions

[bukaj]

I'm looking to purchase a used light meter. I'd like both incident/spot and ambient/flash. I'm not opposed to getting two meters because it looks like it could save me some money. I'd be using them for different situations, so I'd rarely have to carry both around at the same time. I'd like to get something from KEH or another reputable seller so I have no issues returning it if something doesn't work.

I've been looking at the Sekonic L-508, but for about $100 less I can probably find an incident flash meter and a dedicated spot meter.

For spot meters, I'm looking at the Minoltas. What's the difference between the F and the M? Is it only that the F works with flash? Are there two types of M meters? One that has an LCD display on the side, the other doesn't.

I'm considering the Minolta IIIF for the second meter. Any other recommendations for incident/flash meters?

Thanks.

 

[Roger Hicks]

You may find this interesting: http://www.rogerandfrances.com/subscription/meter models.html

It's not a review of current models, but rather, a review of meter types and how they work.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Kenj8246]

I'd kinda like to get one that does indecent metering too. That might be fun. 😀😀 Could you possibly have meant incident?

 

[yossarian123]

my wife would kill me if I indecently metered without her knowledge.

what are you looking for in a meter - obviously a spot meter but is portability a concern? I use a gossen digisix and have a minolta IV but it never really gets used. The gossen (and related meters) are all very tiny and are great for throwing in your pocket.

 

[sevo]

I'm looking to purchase a used light meter. I'd like both indecent/spot and ambient/flash.

It may be useful to buy a small incident meter along a all-purpose meter, as all-in-one meters tend to be big (and a jumble of four separate single purpose meters would be even bigger and no cheaper).

But first of all you should determine your needs. Few people really need flash meters - you will not, unless you own a studio (or set of studio flash heads). In my experience rental flash kits or rental studios always come with a meter.

And incident vs. spot is pretty much a either or - using both at once is distracting at the very best. Spot is superior for still-life, landscape and other slow tripod based photography on negative film. For just about anything else, incident is more accurate, and it always is more convenient, so there is a organic divide between painstakingly accurate and patient slow subject photographers using spot meters vs. the rest of the world. Unless you have a double identity doing meticulous landscapes by day and street while drunk at night, you'll have to figure out what personality with what main subject you are...

 

[bwcolor]

I have always loved my Sekonics, but I mostly use my Digisix because it fits in my shirt pocket... Digiflash, the same size, will do most everything for less than $190, but no spot metering. Other than the Sekonics, the old Pentax spot was a joy to use, but it has been a good while since they have been sold new.

 

[rodt16s]

Autometer with the spot adapter might fit your requirement

 

[bukaj]

Kenj8246, I have no idea what you are talking about 🙂 At least I only made that mistake once.

Thanks for the link Roger. I'll stick to modern meters for the reasons you talked about.

I'll have to think about getting a pocket-able meter, but honestly I've gone this long without using one (or using an android app or point and shoot when the lighting is tough) so I'm not sure it's something I'll carry with me all the time.

What about the Luna Pro F? That doesn't look too big, and uses a 9 volt battery. It's about half the price used as a new Digiflash (unless I can find a used one for a bit cheaper).

sevo, the reason I want a flash meter is that I do occasionally do flash work, and have a few strobes and modifiers. And what you've stated is exactly why I don't mind getting a separate spot and incident meter. Sometimes I shoot land/cityscapes in medium format, and a spot meter would be helpful. I've also been looking at getting into large format.

Thanks for all the help everyone. What I'm really lost at is all the old light meters that are out there. I'm hoping to narrow my search to a few models I can do more research on. Currently I'm using what KEH has available as a start to what's out there and available.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I think the L-508 will cost you less than a spot meter and good incident meter will. Most spot meters go for over $300 now used, and a good modern incident meter like the Minolta Autometer IVf is over $100. L-508 in good condition will be $250-$300. Its a good meter, I used to have one and liked it a lot. I later got the Minolta Flash Meter VI, which is better but a lot costlier.

 

[bukaj]

Chris, KEH has the Spotmeter M for less than $150. Both the Autometer IIIF and Luna Pro F are less than $100. So they're a bit less than the L-508 which goes for $300 on there, so a little more than the two. I'm partial to KEH because they have an excellent return policy if something doesn't work right (from personal experience). Again, in the greater scheme of things, $50-$75 isn't a huge deal. I've seen from past posts that you're a big fan of Minolta meters, which is one of the reasons I'm taking a close look at them.

 

[Kenj8246]

... using an android app

I'll sometimes forget to take my Gossen outa the car and the couple iPhone meter apps I have are pretty good reflected light meters, considering what I paid for them...nothing.

Kenny

ps Got my first Gossen from KEH...didn't work...returned it to them and they sent me one that did work. Gotta like KEH for that reason, if no other. 🙂

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Chris, KEH has the Spotmeter M for less than $150. Both the Autometer IIIF and Luna Pro F are less than $100. So they're a bit less than the L-508 which goes for $300 on there, so a little more than the two. I'm partial to KEH because they have an excellent return policy if something doesn't work right (from personal experience). Again, in the greater scheme of things, $50-$75 isn't a huge deal. I've seen from past posts that you're a big fan of Minolta meters, which is one of the reasons I'm taking a close look at them.

I do like Minolta meters. If you get a spotmeter M, early ones were a pain to use because when they were turned off, they forgot what film speed you had set, so you had to reset it each time you turned on the meter! I'd probably spend a little more for a Spotmeter F.

The Autometer IIIF is good. You might see what they charge for the Autometer IVF...its a little smaller than the IIIF and uses cheap AA batteries. The IIIF uses an expensive 6 volt battery.

 

[Spanik]

Didn't know what to get and got a Sekonic L-758D. Incident, spot, flash and probably more than I ever need. Get noticed more than any camera I take out. But saved so much photo's it probably paid itself back in the few years I have it.

 

[rbsinto]

I'm looking to purchase a used light meter. I'd like both incident/spot and ambient/flash. I'm not opposed to getting two meters because it looks like it could save me some money. I'd be using them for different situations, so I'd rarely have to carry both around at the same time. I'd like to get something from KEH or another reputable seller so I have no issues returning it if something doesn't work.

I've been looking at the Sekonic L-508, but for about $100 less I can probably find an incident flash meter and a dedicated spot meter.

For spot meters, I'm looking at the Minoltas. What's the difference between the F and the M? Is it only that the F works with flash? Are there two types of M meters? One that has an LCD display on the side, the other doesn't.

I'm considering the Minolta IIIF for the second meter. Any other recommendations for incident/flash meters?

Thanks.

Minolta Flashmeter III with spot attachment will cover all your needs (incident / reflected /flash / spot).
I got mine 25 or 30 years ago and use it for all those applications.