Seconic Light Meter—Need Manual (Page 2): If it’s not clear that it’s an original, don’t buy it. If the photos show an original or text mentions it, you will got a refund from the...

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

amfoto1 wrote:

And very often the manuals selling on eBay are just reprints someone has done from Mike's digital files or some other source.

You can print it yourself and get the same results. I recently printed out a manual for Mamiya C33 TLR that I bought and am restoring.

If it’s not clear that it’s an original, don’t buy it. If the photos show an original or text mentions it, you will got a refund from the seller.

I’m always cautious on eBay and have rarely been taken. They and PayPal, are very protective of their buyers.

Andy

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

dennis2146 wrote:

I have two Seconic Light Meters, Model L-28 c2. I am wondering if anyone might have an extra instruction manual for this model they would part with.

ALSO one of the meters is missing three itty bitty tiny screws that hold the nameplate to the back of the meter OR know the size and where I might obtain the appropriate screws (3).

I have not checked with Seconic yet but thought someone might have these items.

Dennis

https://butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/sekonic_l-28c2/sekonic_l-28c2.htm

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

BebuLamar wrote:

Unless you collect them there is no need for the paper manual. The meter is simple enough so that after reading the manual you wouldn't need it with you to use the meter.

I don't collect them per se but I also don't do PDF's or computers very well. So much easier for me to simply have the little booklet in my camera bag to look at when I want to see it. I don't disagree with any of you who like the PDF versions, phone records and so on. I am proud of you all for being able to do that. But if I have a choice I like something I can pick up and not the phone.

Thanks to you all,

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

AndyH wrote:

You see them on eBay from time to time, but they'r... (show quote)

As you say my friend I can probably buy another light meter for that much. It isn't worth that much to me. I will probably use the version you suggested. Thanks again.

Dennis

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

dennis2146 wrote:

As you say my friend I can probably buy another light meter for that much. It isn't worth that much to me. I will probably use the version you suggested. Thanks again.

Dennis

If you're so inclined, and have a friend with basic computer printing skills, it's not too hard to print it out two sided, cut it down to the original size, and staple together your own "hard copy" version. I've done it a few times myself.

Andy

nadelewitz Loc: Ithaca NY

dennis2146 wrote:

I don't collect them per se but I also don't do PDF's or computers very well. So much easier for me to simply have the little booklet in my camera bag to look at when I want to see it. I don't disagree with any of you who like the PDF versions, phone records and so on. I am proud of you all for being able to do that. But if I have a choice I like something I can pick up and not the phone.

Thanks to you all,

Dennis

Get used to viewing PDFs for goodness sake. If you are able to use a computer to, say, participate in UHH or anything else for that matter, what in the world is hard about opening a PDF file?

Mike Butkus' photography manual website is the best thing to ever happen for users of old equipment. You just can't find paper manuals for this stuff.

I download and print manuals all the time from Butkus.

User ID

AndyH wrote:

The tables are useful. That's why they're always with me on my phone.

Andy

You don’t need any sorts of tables to read a light meter.

Meter candles to Lux ? DIN to ASA ? EV to Direct Reading ? None of that stuff matters. You got your “sacred” triangle and a “Read/On” button/switch. Thaz the whole ball of wax.

If switching between incidence and reflection is less than obvious then lack of a user manual is not really the problem.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

nadelewitz wrote:

Get used to viewing PDFs for goodness sake. If you are able to use a computer to, say, participate in UHH or anything else for that matter, what in the world is hard about opening a PDF file?

Mike Butkus' photography manual website is the best thing to ever happen for users of old equipment. You just can't find paper manuals for this stuff.

I download and print manuals all the time from Butkus.

I realize it is not that hard and I have done it before with a German Diaz II 35mm rangefinder. But, as I think I mentioned, I prefer an original booklet if I can find one. It looks like I will have to order one and print it tomorrow.

Thanks,

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

AndyH wrote:

If you're so inclined, and have a friend with basic computer printing skills, it's not too hard to print it out two sided, cut it down to the original size, and staple together your own "hard copy" version. I've done it a few times myself.

Andy

Most likely I will do that tomorrow. Thanks for your help.

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

User ID wrote:

You don’t need any sorts of tables to read a light meter.

Meter candles to Lux ? DIN to ASA ? EV to Direct Reading ? None of that stuff matters. You got your “sacred” triangle and a “Read/On” button/switch. Thaz the whole ball of wax.

If switching between incidence and reflection is less than obvious then lack of a user manual is not really the problem.

I just deleted my original answer to you as when I looked again I realized you were not addressing me to begin with. Long day. Sorry

Dennis

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Morning Star wrote:

Had quick peek: it's a pdf format. You can always... (show quote)

Thanks.

Dennis

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

User ID wrote:

You don’t need any sorts of tables to read a light meter.

Meter candles to Lux ? DIN to ASA ? EV to Direct Reading ? None of that stuff matters. You got your “sacred” triangle and a “Read/On” button/switch. Thaz the whole ball of wax.

If switching between incidence and reflection is less than obvious then lack of a user manual is not really the problem.

No need to be unpleasant, although you often don't seem to need one.

When I shoot film, I generally take copious notes, and yes, noting light values in one consistent format, regardless of the meter you're using, is a part of that process. If you think there's an "exposure triangle" perhaps you don't need a hand held meter at all.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thanks again to all who offered information or assistance. I did download a copy of the Seconic manual a few minutes ago. It will work fine.

Dennis

Ed Commons

dennis2146 wrote:

I have two Seconic Light Meters, Model L-28 c2. I am wondering if anyone might have an extra instruction manual for this model they would part with.

ALSO one of the meters is missing three itty bitty tiny screws that hold the nameplate to the back of the meter OR know the size and where I might obtain the appropriate screws (3).

I have not checked with Seconic yet but thought someone might have these items.

Dennis

A jewler or watch repair may have the tiny screws you require. But it may be some time before they open

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

For those who might be still watching I did download an instruction booklet from the link supplied and sent the gentleman $3.00 as requested on his link page. I also emailed the Sekonic company to ask them about the three screws that hold the serial number/model number plate to the back of the meter. I was surprised to find a return email stating my light meter was discontinued many years ago but that those three screws are still used for the current light meter of that type, the 398. They will send me the screws at no charge.

Now for the good or better news. I mentioned to my professional photographer friend that I was looking for the instruction booklet for my Sekonic light meter. He has the exact same meter of course and has had/used it for maybe a million years. When I went back to visit him the following day so I could use his light box to take some photos he gave me the instruction booklet for his meter. I said I didn't want to take his booklet but he insisted, telling me he sure didn't need it any longer after using the meter on a daily basis for years.

So now I have the booklet, the three screws are in the mail and life is still going great.

Thanks again to all of you.

Dennis