Looking for light meter advice: I am in the market for a new exposure meter and need your advice. I do not need much more than basic metering functions and wonder if any of you can...

balexander101 Loc: Occoquan VA

I am in the market for a new exposure meter and need your advice. I do not need much more than basic metering functions and wonder if any of you can tell me about the Sekonic L 308DC Digicinemate light meter?

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

Good meters but a meter is like a camera a very personal choice.

What do you need it for.

Personally I would look at pre owned on ebay.

If you want a great meter a Weston euromaster is as good as they get.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2010/12/9/sekonicL-308dc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NXyb0X18CI

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

I would look on ebay, or in the used section at your local camera shop. There are many older meters being sold at incredibly low prices ($25-$50) that will read light as well as the new $300-$500 meters. Anything with a Cds cell by Gossen, Weston, or Sekonic are perfect. Try to find one that will read both incident AND reflected light.

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

Here is one, a Minolta meter I used to own and can vouch for it being an excellent meter. I paid over $300 for mine in the 1980's and it's fabulous! KEH offers a warrenty, and this one even comes with the matching case!

http://www.keh.com/camera/Light-Meters-Light-and-Exposure-Meters/1/sku-GM709990251370?r=FE

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

balexander101 wrote:

I am in the market for a new exposure meter and need your advice. I do not need much more than basic metering functions and wonder if any of you can tell me about the Sekonic L 308DC Digicinemate light meter?

Do you need to measure flash? Something to consider. The 308 does that but you may be able to get something used from KEH.

http://www.keh.com/search?store=camera&brand=Brand&category=Class&k=Flash%20meter&s=1&bcode=Brand&ccode=Class&grade=Grade&sprice=0&eprice=0&r=SE&e

I loved my Minolta Autometer VF

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The Sekonic L308S is a good basic meter as is the Polaris SP100.

Personally? I'd buy a Sekonic L358, they are cheap right now, even new they are just $300.00, you can get used ones for more like $200.00.

For the $100.00 or $150.00 you save buying a cheapie...it's not worth it to me. In a year you won't even remember the $100.00 you saved but you will keep wondering what the 358 could have done that the current one won't.

By the way...you linked the "digicinimate"....are you planning on using it for video too?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

rpavich wrote:

Personally? I'd buy a Sekonic L358, they are cheap right now, even new they are just $300.00, you can get used ones for more like $200.00.

For the $100.00 or $150.00 you save buying a cheapie...it's not worth it to me. In a year you won't even remember the $100.00 you saved but you will keep wondering what the 358 could have done that the current one won't.

In looking at this again, given the light meter you were considering, the 358 should be high (highest?) on the list. A lot of us here have one, myself included.Iit's a great meter, a good investment and it's still being made, unlike the Minolta I spoke of.

JR1 Loc: Tavistock, Devon, UK

GoofyNewfie wrote:

Do you need to measure flash? Something to consider. The 308 does that but you may be able to get something used from KEH.

http://www.keh.com/search?store=camera&brand=Brand&category=Class&k=Flash%20meter&s=1&bcode=Brand&ccode=Class&grade=Grade&sprice=0&eprice=0&r=SE&e

I loved my Minolta Autometer VF

Can't beat them I use the Flashmeter 4, recently sold a Flashmeter 5, I prefer the 4.

If I could have got a IV I would have as THAT was the one I liked most

Jer Loc: Mesa, Arizona

Just make sure the light meter can handle the iso range of your camera.

jimmix7 Loc: England

I bought a second hand Sekonic L308s off ebay and got a fantastic bargain,,You often find people buy them and never use them,,,So second hand is usually 'as-new'.. I paid £100 and it was as brand-new in box''
Good luck..
Jimmy....

balexander101 Loc: Occoquan VA

This has been extremely helpful. I had an old Weston for many years...then I sold all my old gear...and just never replaced it. But, I really want one now (for portraits,event and product shooting). Danilo, GoofyNewfie,JR1, rpavich, Jer and jimmix7 thank you so much..now I just have to find a used one if I can.

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

It is worth noting that selenium cells do not last forever, and most of the Weston Master meters that I have seen in the last year or so have been impossible to calibrate as the cells have been dying. The same applies to CDS cells, which is why there are so many Nikon F Photomic viewfinders and Gossen Sixtar meters in non-working condition. A new meter will last for years, an old one has already done so.

hfb Loc: Northwestern Louisiana

GrahamS wrote:

It is worth noting that selenium cells do not last forever, and most of the Weston Master meters that I have seen in the last year or so have been impossible to calibrate as the cells have been dying. The same applies to CDS cells, which is why there are so many Nikon F Photomic viewfinders and Gossen Sixtar meters in non-working condition. A new meter will last for years, an old one has already done so.

I have a Gossen Lunasix that is over 30 years old. Works correctly. It was built for Mercury batteries but I was able to adjust it to use current batteries. I have a CDS Finder for my Mamiya 645 that works well also. The Mamiya is a late 70's model. A PDS finder for the Mamiya works well also.

GrahamS Loc: Hertfordshire, U.K

hfb wrote:

I have a Gossen Lunasix that is over 30 years old. Works correctly. It was built for Mercury batteries but I was able to adjust it to use current batteries. I have a CDS Finder for my Mamiya 645 that works well also. The Mamiya is a late 70's model. A PDS finder for the Mamiya works well also.

Lucky you....

hfb Loc: Northwestern Louisiana

GrahamS wrote:

Lucky you....

That was not intended to be a brag. Just a statement that old equipment can still work.