BebuLamar

Pentax makes a lot of things cameras, lenses, binocular etc.... but when it comes to meter they only make spot meters. They don't make any averaging reflected light nor incident light meter. They don't make any flash meter either.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

I have a L-358 which functions fine as a light meter, but requires a separate and pricey module and will only work as a flash meter with Pocket Wizard brand wireless flash units. If I had to do it again, would go with the L-308 which is cheaper and does function as a flash meter with having to purchase a separate module. Also smaller and lighter.

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

As I recall, the 'guts' of a light meter is a selenium chip. About all than can happen to it is becoming oxidized of sulferized in case the covering cracks or leaks. Of course, boot-heel crushing is another mattter.

BebuLamar

Not with a spot meter. I don't know of any selenium based spot meter.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

Well, since we've drifted off course a bit, I guess I can include this. 1/2 degree spot meter, quite accurate, and a bit of fun to use. Additionally, TSA doesn't have a clue as to what to do with it.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-113454-1.html

--Bob

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Meters in general back when I first learned about them (Seventies) were various types of Selenium and Cadmium based cells, sulfides, etc.

Incident (often for Cinema use)
Reflective
Spot (often for Zone System use)
Flash/Strobe

Meters in various combinations of the four above.

There may be totally new technologies today, I have not followed light meter technology.

CO

I have the new Sekonic L-478DR meter. It's the first light meter with a touch screen. It works very well. You can make selections quickly. It's costs less than the L-758DR. I have the DR model that has the built-in PocketWizard module to use for triggering studio strobes. An optional 5-degree spot meter attachment is available for it for reflected light measurements

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Yes, I know that quite well. As likely did the OP.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Not to offend anyone, as I am only explaining someone else's opinion and actions. Back during the early Nineteen Eighties I used to work with a couple real character photographers at a museum. They used to take old (dead) Weston meters and bounce them off the wall. It might seem that Sekonic meters are better today because in reference to the ones we had at work back then they called them "Suck-On-Its". I was not too pleased with them either. I'd use my Gossen Luna-Pro.

As to the OP's quest for a meter. I might add to what I wrote earlier, I know a few people who have had good luck with Chinese nock-off spot / flash meters. And they are cheap!

Tjohn Loc: Inverness, FL formerly Arivaca, AZ

Try a used camera place for an analog meter. I have a 48 year old Seconic that works just fine and a 20 year old Seconic Digital that has croaked.

JoBarg Loc: Pennsylvania

Holy cow, I'm still using an Asahi Pentax meter from early 70's. Must admit tho, I rely on canon spot in DSLR more

CKuether

I used a Gossen Luna Pro for years, really liked it and found it reliable. Recently sold it to B&H, you might try getting a used one from them. I think it is a quality piece of equipment and a good deal cheaper to purchase.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

That's incorrect.

The L358 works as both an incident light meter and flash meter (pretty much just like any other flash meter).

In addition, the L358 is designed to accommodate a Pocket Wizard compatible radio module (Sekonic RT-32... or RT-32N in N. America) to be able to wirelessly trigger your studio strobes or flashes directly from the meter.

However, there are other radio modules available. For example, RadioPopper makes one (SK-TX) that costs about the same as the PW module, but is usable with their Nano triggers, which at about $50 apiece are considerably less expensive than Pocket Wizard transceivers (about $150 each). The RadioPopper Nano are pretty simple, 4-channel radio triggers. Comparatively, some Pocket Wizard triggers have as much as 32 channels, and some can be set up in zones (which may be handy to selectively fire strobes, such as when setting light ratios).

Plus, L358 can be used as a flash meter in several other ways. In the lower righthand corner of the front is a standard PC sync cord socket that can be used wired to fire test shots.

And, that same socket could likely be connected to some of the more generic brands of radio triggers to wirelessly fire test shots.

Built-in triggering is just an added convenience, whether it's wired or wireless. You could simply activate the meter, then trigger the flashes with something else (optical or radio). Flash will take a reading, as usual.

With the L308 I believe you'd either have to use it wired or with some form of external triggering. It has no provision for any internal radio modules at all.

I like that the L308 uses one standard AA battery for power. The L358 uses less common and more expensive Lithium CR123 battery (but RadioPopper transmitters and receivers use CR123 batteries, too).

The L358 has a rotating head, to allow the receptor to be positioned a number of ways. The L308 doesn't.

Probable the main reason the original poster might not be interested in the L358 or L308 is that they are primarily incident meters (both able to be used as reflective meters too).... NOT spot meters. There are 1 degree and 10 degree accessories available for the L358 (as well as a lumigrid for reflective metering).

If I were the OP, I'd look into getting the Pentax spot meter fixed and continue using it. I prefer a separate spot meter. (I have the old Pentax Spot Meter, too, as well as an even older Soligor Spot Meter).

Sekonic meters are quite good. I'd also suggest looking at Gossen, Kenko (formerly Minolta and Konica-Minolta), and Polaris. They all make some good models.

jaddottart Loc: Florida

GET the app for your cell phone it's free and it works..........

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Selenium meters require no battery. When light strikes selenium an electrical potential is generated - this a native property of selenium. Selenium being inaminate can not know from where the light comes.