Lightmeter with a IIf

[angeloks]

Hi !

I just got back my IIf from CLA'd. It works like a charm! Now, I was thinking of getting a VC meter II. But when I went to the store and put one on my camera, I didn't like it that much... It felt somewhat cheap compare to the craftmanship of the Leica.

I'm now considering to buy some sort of handheld lightmeter. Any suggestions? What are you guys using? And yes, I can work without a lightmeter, but for some critical shots, I'd like to have one on me!

Thanks,

 

[burninfilm]

Do you really think that you'll find a currently produced light meter that matches the overall build quality of a 1950's Leica?

Many of the members here have used the Sekon L-208, L-308S, and the Gossen Digisix, and have reported favorably about them. Might be worth looking into.

 

[angeloks]

Nono, what I meant is that I won't put something on top of my camera... I don't mind having some plastic modern technology in my pocket... Thanks for your input.

 

[ErnestoJL]

Look for a Gossen Luna Pro o Lunasix III it´s an excellent hand held meter, or if you prefer something that matches your IIf , look for a LeicaMeter (one that still works).
Take care with this last because some of the last models are designed for the M series, not the old LTM bodies.

Ernesto

 

[angeloks]

I checked the Sekonic models. The L-398A looks nice. Anyone has experience with that model?

 

[Nikon Bob]

I checked the Sekonic models. The L-398A looks nice. Anyone has experience with that model?

I have one and for general photography it works well and is fairly small and battery less. For very low light work I don't think it is that sensitive.

Bob

 

[John Elder]

The Sekonic 308 is a great meter, very small, will fit in shirt pocket no problem, both incident and reflective mode.

 

[cmedin]

The Sekonics are nice, but for low light Luna Pro is hard to beat value-wise. My Luna Pro CdS in mint shape cost me $45. 🙂

 

[BillP]

Get a small digi compact such as the Panasonic FX-01 that displays aperture and shutter speed on the LCD. It's smaller and lighter than most handheld meters, and takes pictures too. Just set it to the same ISO as the film in your IIf. That's how I metered when I first got my IIIc. BUT it took me just a few rolls of film to realise that Sunny f8 (in the UK) is the way to go. I have yet to lose an image through under- or overexposure. Nowadays the only meter I use with my IIIc is the one in my head.

Regards,

Bill

 

[Graybeard]

A Weston Master IV or V is a nice complement to a Barnack Leica. Quite a bit smaller than a Lunasix.

Buy a dead one on Ebay for $5-10 then have Quality Light Metric overhaul it for you

 

[richard_l]

I use a Sekonic L-308 with my IIf. Nice meter, easy to use and accurate.

Richard

 

[MikeL]

Maybe it's my finder, but focusing with my III is pretty tough in light that's low enough to need a sensitive meter like a Luna Pro. When it's that low I'd trust estimating the focus more than trying through my III finder. I've got my eye on a Sekonic 208 when my current meter goes.

 

[Jerevan]

I use a Sekonic L-398 that I got for free. I had some trouble figuring out how it worked in the beginning but there are some good descriptions out there. It gives accurate readings to be able to use slide film. I used a smaller Sekonic Twinmate before that, but I found it too flimsy. If you need low light metering, a Gossen Profisix gets you there.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Jimi

You are dead right about the Gossen Profisix for low light metering but I just hate carrying a meter the size of a flash unit around.

Bob