Sekonic L-308 max flash at 1/500?

[newfilm]

as I've decide to invest in a light meter, while investigate the specs of Sekonic L-308S/X I notice that it stated that the maximum Flash-metering is at 1/500?

This got me confuse (or if I'm not well verse enough about the nature of flash photographing technical detail?), to my understanding a flash intensity will only affect the aperture size needed, and shutter speed (other than limit by the camera x-sync speed) should be irrelevant to a flash meter?

If my above understanding hold true, should that mean the above specs for Sekonic L-308S/X stated 1/500 maximum shutter speed when functioning as flash meter should not be an issue/ or view as limitation at all?

Perhaps if any of you guys who might have the very same meter shed some light (pun intended🙂 to my confusion?

as usual, many thanks for any pointer!

 

[madNbad]

1/500th is the common top shutter speed for leaf shutter lenses. Unlike focal plane, leaf shutters will flash sync at all speeds which is most likely why Sekonic used 1/500 as the maximum. The 308s is a well designed meter which functions as both an ambient and flash meter. It's easy to use and takes a common AA battery. When selecting flash mode there is an indicator for wireless or wired readings. Place the meter near your subrect, select a shutter speed between 1/75th to 1/500, trip the flash and it will show the recommended aperture. Hope this helps.

 

[Larry H-L]

You are correct that in most instances aperture alone determines your electronic flash exposure. However in cases of high ambient continuous light, such as outside daylight, some continuous light will bleed into the exposure, and your shutter speed - up to your synch limit - can be used to control the amount of ambient bleed.

Sekonic's higher end meters actually calculate the amount of ambient bleed and it is expressed as a percentage on the meter.

All that said, the 308 is a great meter, and the 1/500th limit on flash should not be an issue for most situations.

 

[newfilm]

I see, madNbad, Larry, many thanks, I believe I just need to wait for a good deal surface now that the specs are meeting my expectation.