Pocket meter - digital or analogue?

[mooge]

Hey guys,

My trusty Gossen Lunasix 3 recently died (on a trip to Michigan with the race car, no less!).



It was originally bought by my mum in the late 80s for $200, with the intent on using it to measure light for her orchids(!). I dug it out soon after I picked up photography, and it's pretty much been in my pocket since then. And that's taken a toll on the poor thing - it's filled up with dust (and I've cleaned it several times), the incident dome had to be JB welded back on after a fall, the glass is shattered, the sun/moon logo over the computer dial screw is missing after that screw came loose... and now, for some unknown reason, the meter's gone wonky and there's a zone of resistance where the needle hesitates to travel. So... unfortunately, it seems like it's time for a new meter.


Originally, I thought I'd just get another Lunasix 3 - they're pretty cheap; and I REALLY like the arbitrarily numbered 1-20 scale, because that's basically how I think of light now. But now I'm not sure - there are "better" options out there, worth considering anyways... namely:

1. Another Lunasix 3, ~$50
+ same as old meter
- will probably fill up with dust and die in another 6 years
- 1,35v batteries

2. Luna-Pro SBC, ~$70
+ reportedly accurate
+ 9v batteries
- no scale, requires dial-twisting

3. Modern digital meter (Variosix F? Sekonic 308?), ~$150
+ assured accuracy
+ batteries that aren't illegal
+ pretty much no moving parts
- expensive
- if it breaks... too many electrons for my repair skills

(Not considered: Lumu - cool, but no iphone; Sekonic 398 - that high/low range slide would definitely get lost)


so, I guess the debate is really digital or analogue (and we all love to debate that, don't we, eh, RFF? eh?)...



What do you guys think? digital precision worth the extra cost? Film isn't cheap, and it won't be getting cheaper...

... but on the other hand, I've been using a Lunasix 3 for the past 6 years and it's been solid-- well, until it started dying. but yeah, that extra $100 could buy alot of film... (sort of. not really.) but I'm supposed to be graduating and getting a real job soon so maybe I could afford it...



ideas? opinions? suggestions for alternatives - (pocket sized, incident, somewhat rugged, accurate, below $150 including ridiculous shipping charges to the remote wilderness that is Canada?)



kiitos!

 

[Ranchu]

I like the lunasix. I've had problems with corrosion of alkaline batteries in newer meters. Most of those probably aren't as durable as your lunasix...

 

[judsonzhao]

It's really hard for you to break a Sekonic..
I have the L-308s, it's quit portable and reliable, easy (a joy) to use. $150 probably the last investment you're gonna to make on metering.

 

[Samouraï]

I have a Sekonic Studio Deluxe III because I used a previous model in school. And they're sold analogue and sold new. And who actually needs an electronic one? I try to eyeball most things. Only use it with my M3 and Mamiya 6 or when I'm shooting video. Plus, the Studio Deluxe III is a beautiful piece, whereas those new touch screen ones are kind of depressing.

 

[divewizard]

The lightmeter I always have in my pocket is my iPhone. There are two apps I especially like.

1) Pocket Light Meter is the most versatile and is acts a a pseudo spotmeter.

2) myLightMeter is more of an averaging meter and emulates a analog meter.

3) although not a meter Reciprocity Timer is very useful for long exposure shots.

If I want to carry a meter I also have a Gossen Pilot which has the advantage of not needing batteries and a Gossen digisix which is a great little meter that works well in low light conditions.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I purchased L-208 and never use iPhone after. Quick to measure, easy to read and very small.

 

[mfogiel]

You need this:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/gossen/digisix/index.htm

 

[pete hogan]

Sekonic L-208 analog lightmeter, reflected or incident slider. Small and convenient, all exposure combinations right there on the dial. Shoe mount if you want. Same #2032 battery as the garage door remote and the irrigation timer.

 

[Chris101]

You need this:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/gossen/digisix/index.htm

I like the digisix too - and what will garner more positive responses than a Ken Rockwell recommendation? :/

 

[Addy101]

(Not considered: Lumu - cool, but no iphone

The lightmeter I always have in my pocket is my iPhone. There are two apps I especially like.

1) Pocket Light Meter is the most versatile and is acts a a pseudo spotmeter.

2) myLightMeter is more of an averaging meter and emulates a analog meter.

3) although not a meter Reciprocity Timer is very useful for long exposure shots.

Sigh. What didn't you understand about "no iPhone"?

At some point somebody will propose the Voigtlander VC II meter - so, here it is. However, I guess it will be the best option or the worst option depending on the intended use. Since you're used to a small pocketable handmeter, you probably don't like it.

Anyway, I'm curious what the consensus will be as I'm also in the market for a smallish meter 😱

 

[JoeV]

Well, I've had a Gossen Luna Pro F for several decades, have sent it several times to quality Light Metric, in Hollywood CA, for repair and calibration, and could not see parting with it. There might be better meters, but what counts is that I'm used to it.

I think if you want a quality light meter, you're going to have to spend some real money. But if you do, spend it on something you know you'll want to keep and use for decades. Only you can decide what that is. If you're used to the analog dial, then stay with analog. There are newer analog meters that are very sensitive to low light levels, if that's your concern. And all the new ones take "legal" batteries, as you've pointed out.

Good luck with your choice.

~Joe

 

[Solinar]

If you are going the analog route - the Sekonic L-398M uses a Selenium cell. So, no battery is required. It's a very old-school design with an EV range down only to about EV4.

Best Regards,

 

[Luddite Frank]

If you're used to the Luna-Six, why not get another ? I have a Luna-Six from the 1960's that's still perking along just fine...

If you want to upgrade, then I would tend to go with either the Digi-Six or one of the Seikonics.

As my forum name implies, I'm a traditionalist, and prefer analog meters over digital ( whether light meter, VOM, or other. Clocks & watches too... I'd rather read a hand & scale ).

 

[lrochfort]

I had exactly that Gossen and loved it, but mine died as well. I replaced it with a Sekonic L-208 and I think it's a good replacement given it's size and cost.

The thing to remember is the Gossen is built like a tank and the Sekonic is not, but that's not to say the Sekonic is flimsy.

The ergonomics are good and it responds quickly. I've found the meter readings to be very good, but it doesn't meter anywhere as low as the Gossen, which as the name implies is good even in moonlight.

 

[john_s]

I found the L-208 very nice in design but definitely less accurate and consistent than any other meter (hand held or in-camera) that I've ever owned.

 

[Ranchu]

It occurred to me later that my lunasix has a case which is thick and chunky. Kind of PIA but certainly protects it well from dust and impact.

 

[ZeissFan]

I have a nice Sekonic L-508 (digital), but my daily "go to" meter is an older Zeiss Ikon Ikophot T, which is easy to use, takes a 9-volt battery that lasts a couple of years and can be read easily in any light.

It does incident and reflective but not spot.

It's a CdS meter, and t's accurate. It's all that I need for 99% of my photography.

 

[mooge]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

I think I've settled on something modern- a Gossen or Sekonic digital. or whatever turns up on the local classifieds before the weekend arrives.

not considering the following...:
Sekonic 208 - no numerical or scale readout, low light performance not that great
Sekonic 398 - I like the idea, but that low / high range slide would get lost sooooo quickly
Digisix - kind of offput by the negative reviews...
VCII meter - no incident, no readout either
Ikophot t - no readout, looks like a combination of a stun gun and a bar of soap



here's some more irony - I dug out a spotmeter someone lent me a while back to check my Lunasix (before it died, while it was acting funny). I must have knocked it off the table and then forgot about it because when I picked it up a few days ago, it too was dead.

dead meters... ugh. that's why I'm going digital. I hate dead meters.


thanks guys!

 

[madNbad]

Because nothing can go wrong with digital?

 

[BillBingham2]

I have and love my little 318, had it for years and it ROCKS. You can get a semi-spot attachment for her, different disks for the head, takes easy to find batteries, did I mention that I think it ROCKS.

318, 328, 308 are all in the same great size and wonderful choices.

I've only had a few meters go south on me but I have to agree, I hate myself when one breaks. Not worth fixing, feel like I've lost a part of the past. I want to say that in the over 20 years of use she has never let me down. She's tested gravity about three times without a case and still works great.

I like the 318s head, swivel and all as works for testing light as I'm walking and moving the head to see how the reading changes as say heads move from bright to light and all.