Pocketable incident light meter

[michaelwj]

I'm in the hunt for a new light meter. I currently have a Sekonic L-398 which is good except for two things, low light and (jeans) pockets. Basically when I put it in my pocket, the dome always snags and falls off, and I wouldnt mind something to keep going in the dark a bit more.
At the moment, after reading this thread, I'm on the fence between the Gossen Sixtomat F2 and the Sekonic L-308s. Does anyone have experience pocketing these light meters, or care to recommend a different light meter entirely?

 

[Richard G]

For jeans pockets the Gossen Digisix would be the thing. For a jacket or coat pocket I like the Gossen Digipro F. The latter is flat, a little bigger than the Sixtomat and the dome swivels so it can face you as you hold it up looking at the subject and the readout. It takes a standard AA battery. Being not too small it is easy to get out of the pocket.

 

[rodt16s]

L-308 here, very jeans pocketable, but I tend to wear around the neck on a cord and tuck into a shirt pocket (no shirt pocket then it dangles)...
Normal AA battery, easy for one hand (L or R) operation and changing settings

 

[sebastel]

i usually carry the L-208 with me.

i also own the sixtomat digital - it's a kind of predecessor of the sixtomat F2 (same shape, without flash metering). it's rather flat, so it suits jeans pockets quite well. i used to carry it in the front pocket of my jeans jacket.
however, i found its durability to be a bit lacking. after about ten years (!) of regular use, the contacts of the rubber buttons were no longer working correctly. cleaning them was easy, but getting to them not so. as a result, the case now no longer closes properly, and the dome slips too easily from the central position. so: as long as you don't damage the snappers, it's a decent meter.

 

[kossi008]

Digisix for me

 

[shimokita]

You might want to take a look at the Sekonic L-358D if you can find one (discontinued)... the replacement L-478 has that touch screen interface... If possible try to get a hands on before you purchase.

I have the Sekonic L-758D which is a monster, but I like the features...

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

You might want to take a look at the Sekonic L-358D if you can find one (discontinued)... the replacement L-478 has that touch screen interface... If possible try to get a hands on before you purchase.

I have the Sekonic L-758D which is a monster, but I like the features...

I like the Sekonic L-758 too, and don't mind the huge size. It fits in a pocket of my photo vest!

Of the two meters the OP is asking about, I'd get the Gossen, it has a lot better low-light capability than the Sekonic 308.

 

[Marcuza]

My Light Meter smartphone app. Accurate, quick, versatile, highly programmable and as pocketable as your smartphone, assuming of course you have one.

 

[xavyr]

My Light Meter smartphone app. Accurate, quick, versatile, highly programmable and as pocketable as your smartphone, assuming of course you have one.

May I ask which one you're using? I'm trying those out just now. TIA

Boy, I sure miss the little Calcu-lite-X...🙁

 

[glchua]

L308s... I've just acquired a second one to replace an aging one that I've used for over 5 years.

I actually prefer the Gossen Sixtomat F2, as I like its aperture priority feature (L308S is shutter priority only). I couldn't find one locally and a used but mint L308s was on sale.

 

[ReeRay]

Minolta flash meter v1 which I've owned forever. Fits in a belt mounted pouch. Of the choices given I also use the Sekonic L308 S. Phone app I favour Lux Pro.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

L-208 does it for me. Including low light. Mine is at the same battery after four years of hikes and travel with me.

 

[infrequent]

How about this pupper right here?

http://www.sekonic.com/australia/products/l-208/overview.aspx

 

[infrequent]

L-208 does it for me.

Like minds!

 

[michaelwj]

Thanks for all the replies so far, some new models I'll have to take a look at too.

Re: Smartphone App; I have one, but it's not an incident meter without a bulky attachment.

Re: TwinMate and the like; I like their form factor, but find the dials move in and out of my pocket, so I constantly have to check the ISO is set correctly. It happens more often than I'd like on my 398.

 

[Ronald M]

Expo disk if you have a camera with meter.

 

[Marcuza]

Thanks for all the replies so far, some new models I'll have to take a look at too.

Re: Smartphone App; I have one, but it's not an incident meter without a bulky attachment.

My Light Meter can be set for either reflected or incident measuring. The incident setting places a virtual diffusion dome over the front-facing camera lens. No attachment required. The app has replaced both my Sekonic L-608 and my Gossen Luna Star, which I loved!!

It is available for iphone, but I don't know about Android

 

[rodt16s]

Looking at the Gossen Sixtomat F2, I favour the location of the Sekonic dome and buttons
The Sekonic seems to be more natural to hold and adjust at the preferred incident metering angle/direction (typically from behind or side) while still monitoring the reading realtime ....just my 2p

 

[Godfrey]

I have several small meters, mostly Sekonics. The L208 is tiny but its incident dome is very small. My ancient L328 is wonderful but the dome and sensor housing is falling apart after being heavily used for more than 20 years. The L398 is great, battery less, but lacks sensitivity. I tried the L308 for a bit but something about it didn't appeal to me, probably the small dome again. The L478D is probably closest match to your needs in a new meter: the form factor fits in my trousers pocket easily, the dome is large and retracts so it's unlikely to be knocked off, the head swivels. But...

What I use most is the L358 that I bought recently. It's a little larger than the L478D and fits my hand well. I can fit it into trousers with larger pockets, or a looser fit. The display and operation are more to my liking than the L478D touch screen interface, and it has fewer features to distract me.

I'll probably buy another one, I like it so much.

G

I'm in the hunt for a new light meter. I currently have a Sekonic L-398 which is good except for two things, low light and (jeans) pockets. Basically when I put it in my pocket, the dome always snags and falls off, and I wouldnt mind something to keep going in the dark a bit more.
At the moment, after reading this thread, I'm on the fence between the Gossen Sixtomat F2 and the Sekonic L-308s. Does anyone have experience pocketing these light meters, or care to recommend a different light meter entirely?

 

[Bill Clark]

The way I have measured light with a meter, maybe it's wrong but it works for me, I use reflected light. If I want incident light I would walk up to the subject point the meter at light source, usually pointed toward the camera, as it is hitting on the subject. I find using the histogram works well.

But I make digital photos using RAW capture so I do have some latitude. One of my pet peeves is to see a photograph where the foreground is properly exposed but the background is blown out. Or the reverse. Dark faces with a nice looking background! That's a no-no for me. I have an easy solution that works.

I have an old Sekonic L-158 that still works for my needs when I need an external meter.

Info I find helpful:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/Product_Resources/lightmeters1.jsp