what handheld meter are you using?

Another Lunalite used in incident mode - but only when shooting indoors or for something important. The rest of the time I use Sunny-16 (or the Belfast variant Sunny-11) because HP5+ in Perceptol is very tolerant of exposure variations.

Cheers, Sean

BTW One great point about the Lunalite is the fact that it takes a 9V battery which is easy to find and lasts ages.
 
I recently got a Polaris digital meter, reflected/incident, flash/multi-flash/ambient. It's about as big as a small, thin point-and-shoot, which is easy to pocket with the pants I wear. I like it because it gives me readings in situations where the needle on my Canon 7s' CdS meter doesn't. The only trouble I'm having is remembering to think about exposure. After my first couple times out with I felt like I was relying on it too much and not thinking about what my eyes/brain tells me a situation is like. Having got good results just off applying Sunny 16, that's not a habit a want to fall into.
 
thanks, Joe. I've been taking the meter out on occasions where I'm not even shooting, to do just that and test myself. In application, though, I found myself resorting to the crutch. Just laziness. bah.
 
I use a Sekonic L-208. Small, inexpensive, goes well with my IIIf. Can be on a cord around my neck, in my pocket, or (rarely) on the shoe. Match needle with intermediate dots on the scale for the odd early Leica speeds.
 
I have a Sekonic Studio deluxe, but I have found that over time that I can read light with the benefit of experience and my own eyes and do not bother with it that much.

Richie
 
For my meterless Leica M, I selected the Sekonic 308: small, light, single AA cell, flashmetering, EV 0 range. I particularly appreciate its ability to bounce off the floor with nary a scratch!

Any users of the Weston successor, the Euromaster?
 
The first meter I bought was a Sekonic Micro Leader. Actually a rather nice small meter that worked in fairly low light. Next was the Sekonic L28c2. I still have it but after the last drop, it only works when turned on its side (?). It also works in surprisingly low light considering it is selinium. I really like the acuracy and incident capability of that meter. For all that I got to like them, I actually first purchased them as they were availablle in the PX.

I have since purchased both a Gossen Luna Pro and Luna Pro SBC with spot and flash accessories. I got the flash accessory because it was available inexpensively on the 'bay once, and I wanted it. I may even use it some day. I don't use flash much these days, but when I did, I got well used to figuring guide numbers and distances. I guess I need to get it out and experiment just so i can bragg I know how to use it and how great it is. :rolleyes: I would have a hard time picking which I like most. The Luna Pro SBC is a little large, and size is often important. But it does read a little lower light I think, if not much.

As to the original question, I would suggest you be sure you need the flash reading capability. If so, consider any of the Sekonics or Gossens as they are great meters. You might also want to consider the SPC with the flash attachment. But I don't think that would be any cheaper than some of the current models that do it all.

At least you have gotten some good advice above from which to make you decision.
 
Most used meter

Most used meter

Hello: My most used meter is a Gossen DigiSix, followed by a Weston EuroMaster, and then a LunaLux. Incident light mode with the DigiSix is quick, painless and accurate.
yours
Frank
 
Thanks for all the replies, I went ahead and bought a Minolta autometer Vf, but I am thinking about getting the Gossen digisix in the future as well. Many of you recommended it and I know it is much smaller so I will definately consider it in the future. I would like to get to the point where I can "meter" with my eyes, like several of you said you could. The problem is I am so used to relying on my SLR's internal meter that I don't really think for myself all the time, I do manually adjust the reading often but I don't take notes on the type and intensity of the light and such. I would like to be able to go into a room, get a feel for the general light and pre-set my camera settings so I don't miss an important shot because I wasn't ready. Again, thanks for all your informative posts.
Gary
 
Good luck with the new meter Gary! As a Minolta IIIF owner, I would venture that the thing will probably outlive you. :) Minolta do make wonderful meters.

 
I had my Leica Cl and M3 out today. I use an original Weston Master model 715 with the M3. It does pretty well compared to the TTL meter of the CL. I even have the older model Weston 650, which is in good working order. That one is so old it is "single range" without the flip-out screen for bright light.
 
Digisix. I think it's still available. It's sometimes annoying because it wants me to know the temperature and wants to give me alarms.

I have a Gossen Pilot...it's useless in low light or indoors.

I implicitly trust my Minolta Flashmeter IV... also has "advanced functions" for continuous light, but not much better than the little Digisix most of the time. Certainly more IMPRESSIVE ;)

How about BOTH the Digisix and the Digiflash (which I've not used, but would guess it's as good as the Digisix)? The two together will be smaller than one combined meter.

I just shot 70+ frames of Provia (slide) in very high contrast environment....my Canon F1's internal meter was recently CLA'd, but is not a spot meter...reads about 10% of the screen, which is a big area with a normal lens.

I got 50+ perfect exposures and 20 that were a stop over...an embarassingly bad ratio...my own careless work, certainly, but made me want a true spot meter.
 
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