Light Meter Question (Page 2): Sekonic meters are a best in the market, I use L-358 and I love it in my studio shoot out. You also can purchase to the Seconik meter transmitter module...

Benttree Loc: GA.

Sekonic meters are a best in the market,
I use L-358 and I love it in my studio shoot out.
You also can purchase to the Seconik meter transmitter module 32N for radio channels to fire mono and/or flash when your measuring light and shadows, so a subject do not need to hold the meter when you shoot with flash.
The cost is at like in most cases, "You'll get what you pay for".

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Bazbo wrote:

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.

That is a pretty good meter, I can't remember if it is also a flash meter or not. I will say, that while the built-in camera meters on the new cameras are very good, and (I am a Nikon user and use TTL with remote Nikon flashes) there are alot of automatic ways to do things, a good hand held lightmeter is advantagous for portraits and other photographs using multiple flash. Sure, built-in TTL flash is great, and I use it alot, but I can set up my umbrellas, beauty dish flash, background flash, hair light, and pop them all with a flash meter and get a good expectation of the light. Doing it with the ttl I have to take 3 or 4 (maybe more) sample images and adjust for that. The external lightmeter has NOT been completely replaced by built-in meters, they still have uses.

Benttree Loc: GA.

For some of my,"Hog friends" Who needs the meter any longer?
Answer is, a just about everybody who has studio lights, or any one who do not like to take several testing shots to fine correct values.Since no camera can measure that at yet as these meters do.
Well yes, my guessing is pretty good as yours,IF situations are the same than previous shoot's.

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

Benttree wrote:

For some of my,"Hog friends" Who needs the meter any longer?
Answer is, a just about everybody who has studio lights, or any one who do not like to take several testing shots to fine correct values.Since no camera can measure that at yet as these meters do.
Well yes, my guessing is pretty good as yours,IF situations are the same than previous shoot's.

I use a meter in studio, and still take test shots on subjects, but not for exposure - more for light and shadow analysis. The meter will nail the lighting ratios once I establish where I want the lights.

In the old days I used a polaroid back on my view camera to accomplish the same thing.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Bazbo wrote:

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.

It's a great meter.

There are some good videos about it on the web.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

BebuLamar wrote:

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

The Opsaid that he needs a spot meter cause his 40 year old Pentax died. He did not mention if is Pentax had spot metering. AS above the Pentax Spotmatic used an averaging meter. And had a Fresnel screen not a split image.. I know cause I had one, sold it when the Canon F-1 came out.

BebuLamar

Pentax only made spotmeters as far as I know. We're talking about meter and not camera.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Bazbo wrote:

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.

Look for a used Pentax Spot Meter. As you know, easy straight forward. I own an oldish Minolta Spot Meter. A bit trickier to use. I have to stop and think and play with it at first every time I use it. I also have a Gossen Luna-Six Meter, and previous to that a Gossen Luna-Pro.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Bazbo wrote:

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.

I have one of these meters, took the time to calibrate it to my camera and Photoshop and find it invaluable when doing precise exposure measurements. The results are noticeable and worth the price.

Hopefully, you'll be as lucky a I was. I found a mis-guided soul who felt that because he was going completely digital he didn't need the meter any longer. I got a very good deal on mine, but it is worth even the full price, and every penny of it.
--Bob

Nikonhermit Loc: In This Place

bweber wrote:

I do not know if you are aware that your Pentax &q... (show quote)

The OP is talking about a Pentax spot meter.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

If one prefers to go 'manual' for exposure, then a light meter might be important. The exception is if you trust your eye and go with things like Sunny 16. I generally prefer aperture priority and let the camera meter decide shutter soeed (once I have fixed ISO). The camera meter is measuring the light falling on the sensor and would, I expect, be tailored to the sensor sensitivity properties.

DJO

Bazbo wrote:

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.

Hello Bazbo-
I just made a quick visit to ebay. A lot of good spot meters that won't break the bank. Personally, I always click the Buy Now option; I don't have enough patience for the Bidding. But if you include that option, you will have at least 3x as many to choose from. Good luck.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

boberic wrote:

The Opsaid that he needs a spot meter cause his 40 year old Pentax died. He did not mention if is Pentax had spot metering. AS above the Pentax Spotmatic used an averaging meter. And had a Fresnel screen not a split image.. I know cause I had one, sold it when the Canon F-1 came out.

He was likely talking about his 40 year old Pentax V Spot Meter, they were very common and dependable. Probably did not mean a Pentax Spotmatic Camera, their meters were so so, and not spot as you also stated.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

BebuLamar wrote:

Pentax only made spotmeters as far as I know. We're talking about meter and not camera.

WHAT? Yes we are talking about a Pentax Spotmeter V (I hope). "Pentax" has been making cameras since 1952 to today!

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Benttree wrote:

For some of my,"Hog friends" Who needs the meter any longer?
Answer is, a just about everybody who has studio lights, or any one who do not like to take several testing shots to fine correct values.Since no camera can measure that at yet as these meters do.
Well yes, my guessing is pretty good as yours,IF situations are the same than previous shoot's.

And for anyone who wants to get closer than "that looks pretty good" on the back of an LCD screen.

The norm these days seems to be just fire away and fix later.

That's fine, but for some the camera's meter isn't the best tool for the job.

I only want a steering wheel on the driver's side of the car, I don't want to be chimping and checking to see if the camera made a decision that reflects my intent or not.