Semi-serious lightmeter advice

Phantomas

Phantomas

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Hello people,

(This question is most definitely not original, but search delivered not much and the most obvious forum "Hardware" got nothing. I know the internets have plenty of info, but RFF is my favorite! :eek:)

About a year ago a friend gave me a Minolta Auto Meter IIIF. Prior to that I didn't care much for lightmeters because I either used metered cameras or guessometered which worked OK at least by my personal expectations. Just prior to that Minolta I bought cheaply a little Gossen Digisix. Both of these coincided with me starting to use a Hassie 500CM and by now also a Rolleiflex. Both of these cameras I really like to meter for. I also got fond of using a meter and always brought the Minolta on "super-uber-serious jobs" :rolleyes: or dragged the Digisix around for "not-so-super-uber-serious jobs".

Lately the Minolta has expired. It has 2 month old battery in it, still have to check if something wrong with it (they don't die that quickly I think) but I'm assuming the meter's dead.

I really liked that Minolta and while yes, I might be exaggerating, I felt more confidence in it compared to the little Digisix. I'd like to get another semi-serious meter like that. I'm a bit wary on spending too much though.

Minolta Auto Meter III F has been nice and I'd go for another one. What else?
Stuff I need and don't need:
Don't need color temrature metering
Don't need flash metering
Need EV values, important (for Hassie setting ease)
Need fast and easy (Digisix is a fiddling disaster)
Reflected and incident metering
Nothing antique

Thank you!
 
I just got a very cute Gossen Digiflash along with a bunch of Nikon stuff.

This thing is seriously small (very palm-able), with incident and reflective mode, and it is digital and shows the all important EV value.

So far I've yet to figure out how to change the ISO from 100, but for the most part, that's enough for me since I only use it when I want to get a better than Sunny-16 metering.

It looks like this:

1733.gif


DISCLAIMER: Of course the picture is not mine, do a right-click View Image to see the URL where I link it from.
 
My go to meter is a Polaris. It does reflected, ambient, flash and multi-flash. Reads out in shutter speed/aperture settings or EV. Runs on a single AA battery. And it's inexpensive, used around $100, new $200 or so. Also have a 10 degree 'spot' attachment for it. There is also a Polaris model with a built-in 5 degree spot. Overall a great meter, even better because of the price.
 
shadowfox - that's EXACTLY my Digisix with a different name and different color.
Do not want :)

To change the ISO - longpress the <> button till beeps and flashes. Then keep pushing "M" button till it gets to the ISO you want. Longress <> again till beep. Voila, you're set.
 
The Digisix is a "serious meter" and meets your criteria. You already have one. :)

I find mine very easy to use one handed.

yours
FPJ
 
Phantomas said:
shadowfox - that's EXACTLY my Digisix with a different name and different color.
Do not want :)

To change the ISO - longpress the <> button till beeps and flashes. Then keep pushing "M" button till it gets to the ISO you want. Longress <> again till beep. Voila, you're set.
Click to expand...

I guess it is not to be.

yours
FPJ :)
 
Have you looked at getting an old Weston? You have a guy in Holland who collects, sells and repairs them:

John D. de Vries

Just had my two overhauled this year and they are good for another 20-30 years. No battery and simple operation.
 
The main gripe with digisix is fiddling. Maybe not an issue for some, but it is for me. I will continue using it but I will never like it as much as for example that minolta due to cost-cutting handling.
Oh yeah, mine also constantly jumps to the alarm function and starts beeping in the bag. Do not want! :)
 
Sekonic L-208 Twinmate. Press the button, match the needles, read the EV and all matching shutter speed/aperture combinations at a glance.
 
MPerson said:
Have you looked at getting an old Weston? You have a guy in Holland who collects, sells and repairs them:

John D. de Vries

Just had my two overhauled this year and they are good for another 20-30 years. No battery and simple operation.
Click to expand...



I have been using a Weston Master II since getting it bebuilt by George at QLM...very easy to use and accurate as all get-out...
I also have several Gossens including the Luna-Pro sbc, Luna-Pro and Gossen Pilot (also rebuilt by QLM this year but not used yet) but prefer the Weston...
Good meters, easy to use and they go with the vintage of your gear...well, they're a bit older than your gear but they do look good together...
 
Last edited:
Phantomas said:
shadowfox - that's EXACTLY my Digisix with a different name and different color.
Do not want :)

To change the ISO - longpress the <> button till beeps and flashes. Then keep pushing "M" button till it gets to the ISO you want. Longress <> again till beep. Voila, you're set.
Click to expand...

Heh, what do I know, I guess I need to re-read your post more carefully.

I think the Digiflash is cute, it's both lighter and smaller than my previous meter, an old Sekonic L-??? (can't remember the model right now). I don't know what else to expect from it other than telling me what EV I should be aiming for.

Thanks for writing up how to change the ISO, I'm too lazy to read the manual :)
 
The Sekonic Twinmate is a toy-like little gizmo that I woudln't hesitate to use even for the most serious work.

But I'd recommend a CalcuLight XP for low light work.
 
I have the Sekonic L-308s Flashmate:

http://www.sekonic.com/products/Sekonic%20L-308S%20FLASHMATE.asp

I find this quite a good meter and I think it will meet all your criteria. It's layout, options, and usability are quite good IMO.

The only drawback is that it is not a night-time/extreme low-light meter. I bought it knowing this and within only a month came upon a situation where I wanted to do some night shooting. Crap!
 
I've recently thinned my herd of light meters a little. It's funny how they tend to breed.

For semi-serious work especially with the 'blad I also like the Sekonic L308 - it ticks every box on your list. For serious work I use a Pentax digital spot meter.
 
BSchall said:
My go to meter is a Polaris. It does reflected, ambient, flash and multi-flash. Reads out in shutter speed/aperture settings or EV. Runs on a single AA battery. And it's inexpensive, used around $100, new $200 or so. Also have a 10 degree 'spot' attachment for it. There is also a Polaris model with a built-in 5 degree spot. Overall a great meter, even better because of the price.
Click to expand...

I second this. I've been using my Polaris for eight or ten years now, and it works like a charm. Simple and very easy to us.

--michael
 
I really like my Gossen Luna-Pro F for simplicity - just push one button and turn one dial. All shutter speed/aperture combos and EV values are always visible and the null meter gives you all the control you want to +-3 stops. It sees in the dark nearly as well as the CalcuLight XP, takes a 9V battery, can take a 7.5/15 deg spot meter attachment, and has a sliding dome for reflected/incident metering. If you don't need flash metering, you can a regular Luna Pro (but make sure it has a SBC sensor) or Profisix in Europe.
 
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