Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

I am considering purchasing a Sekonic L-758 DR light meter. I need a good spot meter as my 40 year old Pentax finally died.

This thing is kind of pricey. I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this meter and if you have any advice.

Thanks.

BebuLamar

As people don't have much need for meter any more the price of meters rises. They are quite expensive but you can go either Gossen or Sekonic or even Kenko.
May be getting one used?

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

A good meter, of course. I would check KEH to see what they have that will do the job for you. ;)

tsilva Loc: Arizona

The 758DR is a fantastic meter Nan's will do just about anything you want it to do. The DR version also comes with a pocket wizard transmitter so you can fire the pw's right from the meter.

Go to sekonic.com and watch the videos by Joe Brady and Mark Wallace to see what you can do with this meter.

Bazbo Loc: Lisboa, Portugal

Thanks for the input everybody. I will watch the video and then probably part ways with 650 bucks...

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

The meter is exceptional. I've had mine for five years now. And yes it is pricey. However you can save bucks by getting the non "R" version (L758D). The meter will meter flash without a radio trigger. It simply requires you to activate the meter then trigger the flash yourself and the meter will take a reading by staying on until the flash fires. If you don't meter with flash then you definitely don't need the "R" version at all.

ralphc4176 Loc: Conyers, GA

www.keh.com has used photographic equipment of all types at reasonable prices. I'd recommend visiting them before shelling out $$$ for a new meter.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

It's a great meter, if you do studio work, use flash, have PocketWizards (the R model will trigger them), etc.

If you are already familiar with the Zone System of exposure (I am guessing you are), then you might want to consider replacing your Pentax. There are quite a few on eBay, KEH, B&H etc. I would stay clear of the Zone VI modified ones - the jury is still out on whether it is actually an improvement, and many report less low light sensitivity and flare in the viewfinder.

I has an analog Pentax and a Minolta analog - much preferred the Pentax.

If you don't need the bells and whistles of the Sekonic, then a nice clean used Pentax is still an excellent solution.

Lazy J Loc: Pacific Northwest

OK, while only a photo enthusiast of several years and not a professional, I am going to go off reservation and say that you do not need a separate light meter.

I read all the hype about them, watched Joe Brady's videos and bought the very light meter you mention. Used it a couple times and then it just sat in my camera bag. Sold it.

Personally, I found it made photography too much of a science and therefore lessened the enjoyment of the experience. If you are mindful of the in-camera light meter graph, there will be no significant highlight/shadow detail loss, and any deficiencies can be easily corrected in the powerful software available today.

Light meters are a carry over from film camera days in my opinion, and the only need I see for having one is possibly if you are a studio portrait photographer.

My two cents worth, keep the change!

Dan Copeland Loc: Hamilton Ontario Canada

They also repair light meters

http://www.keh.com/page/repair-pricing

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

I do not know if you are aware that your Pentax "spotmatic" had an averaging meter, it was not a spot meter. You can look it up. I sold cameras in the late 60s and frequently discussed this issue with customers. If you were happy with the images from that camera I would use the meter in your present camera, it will be more accurate. My canons all have a spot meter setting, but I sometimes use the spot meter in my sekonic L 508. I think any good hand held spot meter will serve you well.

BebuLamar

How do you know that the OP doesn't need a meter? The OP may still be shooting 4x5 or 8x10 sheet film.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

The other side of your coin(s). I've been a photographer on and off for 49 years. Worked in large format early on (Sinar, Linhof, Cambo, Deardorff) and adopted the Zone System almost immediately, and along with it my first spotmeter - a Pentax analog. Extremely precise measurement of reflected light, and the ability to establish the dynamic range of a scene, and be able to expose to the left (which you do when shooting negatives) was essential to getting consistently good exposures with usable shadow details. At first I thought I would have a problem transitioning from a hand-held spotmeter to an in-camera meter. Initially it seemed that way, but once I appreciated the differences between how the in camera spotmeter and my handheld one worked I ended up selling the spotmeter.

However, if I ever go back to shooting film and large format, or buy a camera that does not offer in camera metering, I'll be looking for a nice used Pentax digital spotmeter or equivalent. I still use a Gossen Luna Pro SBC for studio flash setup, and I will only give that up if I stop doing studio work. :)

BebuLamar

The OP doesn't have a Pentax Spotmatic. The OP has a Pentax Spotmeter.

bweber Loc: Newton, MA

That was a very good meter.