R
ruben
Guest
After several months of exclusively roaming for street photography, at daylight and night, I went used to a small digital meter of great popularity here in the neighbourhood: the Sekonic L-308. Cute, small, flat, and digital.
With daily experience at some point I started to meter the extremes, and guess or mis-guess, whatever after that basic reading.
Then when the situation may present a totally different variables, like entering a bus in the morning, I would pull out my small digi from my coat, and make a lot of manouevres for such a difficult situation.
So before I continue with my story, let me underline that I use the meter for what I may call a supporting role.
Two weeks ago I lost my L-308. I thought that it may have fallen from my coat pocket somewhere but fortunately it re-appeared a week afterwards below my seat at my wife's car.
In the middle I had to make a decision about which meter I am going to pick as a substitute. I had several options but somehow I went attracted by the spot L-408. This one may be among the smallest spot meters ever, but still one and half the size of the mini L-308.
If you want to see pics of this not-long-ago discontinued spot meter, see:
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1
I would not enter into the many features of this meter, as my intention is to concentrate on three aspects which make me continue with it, and leave the mini one for the time being.
Basically, or rather cruelly, we are talking about a full retractable white dome, and a built in pipe line serving as a 5 degrees (I think so) reflective reading spot with a circular bright line and dot in the center.
So you do not have a broad reflective reading for a rather pricy meter.
What do you do have on the basic side, beyond the many digital gadgetery ? What makes this biggie attractive to me ?
a) Due to its size, it will not go easily lost. And after falling several times, nothing has happened to it, nor the smallest crack. And on the other hand it is flat enough to enter a medium size pocket.
b) The reflective reading made through its pipe, is such that you know for sure what exactly are you metering. This is a strategic advantage.
c) Reading light at night time in a central or less central street is extremely tricky for a non-spot meter. For example, with this spot one you can meter a shop from afair and walk towards it ready for the shot. It will not get confused by focused sources of light such that flowing from cars, or street lightened signs, etc.
BTW, the mini L-308, when you buy it new, comes with two exchangeable domes, one circular like any other meter, and a second cylindrical, enabling you to get ambient light without the influence of sky or sun. The L-408 achieves the same double function when you meter ambient light, by forwarding or retracting the white dome.
Cheers,
Ruben
With daily experience at some point I started to meter the extremes, and guess or mis-guess, whatever after that basic reading.
Then when the situation may present a totally different variables, like entering a bus in the morning, I would pull out my small digi from my coat, and make a lot of manouevres for such a difficult situation.
So before I continue with my story, let me underline that I use the meter for what I may call a supporting role.
Two weeks ago I lost my L-308. I thought that it may have fallen from my coat pocket somewhere but fortunately it re-appeared a week afterwards below my seat at my wife's car.
In the middle I had to make a decision about which meter I am going to pick as a substitute. I had several options but somehow I went attracted by the spot L-408. This one may be among the smallest spot meters ever, but still one and half the size of the mini L-308.
If you want to see pics of this not-long-ago discontinued spot meter, see:
http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...ftrt=1&ftrv=1&saprclo=&saprchi=&fsop=1&fsoo=1
I would not enter into the many features of this meter, as my intention is to concentrate on three aspects which make me continue with it, and leave the mini one for the time being.
Basically, or rather cruelly, we are talking about a full retractable white dome, and a built in pipe line serving as a 5 degrees (I think so) reflective reading spot with a circular bright line and dot in the center.
So you do not have a broad reflective reading for a rather pricy meter.
What do you do have on the basic side, beyond the many digital gadgetery ? What makes this biggie attractive to me ?
a) Due to its size, it will not go easily lost. And after falling several times, nothing has happened to it, nor the smallest crack. And on the other hand it is flat enough to enter a medium size pocket.
b) The reflective reading made through its pipe, is such that you know for sure what exactly are you metering. This is a strategic advantage.
c) Reading light at night time in a central or less central street is extremely tricky for a non-spot meter. For example, with this spot one you can meter a shop from afair and walk towards it ready for the shot. It will not get confused by focused sources of light such that flowing from cars, or street lightened signs, etc.
BTW, the mini L-308, when you buy it new, comes with two exchangeable domes, one circular like any other meter, and a second cylindrical, enabling you to get ambient light without the influence of sky or sun. The L-408 achieves the same double function when you meter ambient light, by forwarding or retracting the white dome.
Cheers,
Ruben
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