Reflected Light Meters

[Dzerzhinski46]

There seems to be a lot of contradictory, and inconclusive information on reflected light meters. I can't find any good solid information on which one seems to be the best. I am looking for an inexpensive, reflected light meter. Meters that look interesting at this point are Gossen Digisix, Sekonic L208 and L398. I would like some good information, and opinions of reflected light meters.

Dzerzhinski

[92135011]

ever thought of getting a spot meter?

[Dzerzhinski46]

ever thought of getting a spot meter?

One word, money. Besides, I am not Ansel Adams, and I don't plan on doing any Zoning for a while, or ever. Just a good solid meter.

[92135011]

Ok.
Well I find that the digital meters are easier to read and they are similarly priced.
For example, the sekonic 308 is quite highly regarded, though I have never used it before. I have used the Polaris one that looks a lot like the 308 and the sekonic 358. Now the good thing about the new version of the 308 is that it lights up at night and has a greater range of EV compared to the other analogue meters you mentioned. plus it has flash metering if you ever needed it. I like the 358 as it has a jog wheel to quickly move through all the shutter speeds or apertures. Plus the swivel head is also kinda nice. You do have to pay the premium for those extra few features though. Oh and you can do wireless with the new 308 and 358, great for studio use!

Of course...I always thought the analogue meters looked a lot cooler and would fit my camera a lot better

[another view]

Another vote for the Sekonic L358. It will do reflected light, incident and flash metering. There's also a couple of different spot meter accessories for it, a little clumsy but they work. One of the is one degree and it works really well.

Reflected light meters are like the one built into many cameras; they measure the light that's reflected off the subject (or more accurately the direction the camera is pointed). Basically, they're a rough guess and some experience will help a lot (even with the most advanced Matrix or Evaluative system, they're just more consistent).

The L358 will give you the reflected measurements, plus incident and flash. You may have to get an accessory to do reflected light with the L358 but I think it's inexpensive (bought mine used and didn't have it - probably would never use it). Incident metering measures the light falling on the subject so you don't have to worry about the meter getting fooled with dark or light colors. Flash metering is a must when doing studio work, if you get into it at some point.

The thing about incident metering is that it's much more accurate in cases that it's practical to use it. For example, a windowlit portrait of someone will be hard to meter with a reflected light meter. It will depend on so many factors, but nailing the exposure is easy because the subject's face is, of course, the most important part. Just hold the meter there and you're in good shape. With a reflected light meter, you have to worry about all the colors in the shot, and how bright the foreground and background are relative to the subject - IOW the odds aren't great.

[Dzerzhinski46]

But I don't do any flash work to begin with. I am just wondering if it is worth it to shell out the cash for a flash meter, when I won't be doing any flash work. I like doing available light stuff, so a meter that covers the low end of the spectrum would be nice too. I know that those meters do ambient and reflected, but are they any better than just the incident and reflected meters?

Dzerzhinski

[another view]

Well, the 358 does incident and reflected (including spot, with accessory) very well. It meters in lower light than many in-camera meters too. Flash metering is just a bonus and it has a place to install a Pocket Wizard transmitter if you ever need it. I didn't buy my 358 with flash metering in mind but now use it that way as well. It's a good deal for what it offers. It's also a good investment because used ones seem to sell on ebay for almost as much as new ones.

To answer your question, I don't know of a digital meter that just does reflected and incident without flash. There may be some out there though.

[Dzerzhinski46]

The Sekonic 358 is a bit out of my range at the moment. Actually the 308 looks pretty good, even though I don't need the flash metering. I looked at the reviews and everyone seems to like it. It is accurate too. But there is the 308S and the 308BII. It seems that the S model is more for digital, so would it be worth it to shell out the extra $10 just for digital setting capability? I mean, I don't even shoot DSLR at all, so I wouldn't need the mode at all. But KEH has the S model for $10 less than everyone else. So would the S be better in the long run than the BII?

And the other thing, is the Sekonic 398 really all that bad? Or is it just not as accurate as the others?

Thanks very much another view for putting up with my pestering.

Dzerzhinski

[92135011]

more sensitivity range
the newer meters have backlit LCD

[another view]

Glad to help - that's what it's here for! The only two I have much experience with are my 358 and a 608 belonging to a friend I occasionally assist. I don't think Sekonic is going to make a meter that's not accurate regardless of the price.

I'm not sure about what they mean by a "digital setting" but it may just be marketing hype. Calumet has digital monolights, and my regular light works fine with the DSLR. The thing about digital is that the latitude is very narrow between under and over exposure - similar to slide film except the highlights blow out really quick. Accurate metering is essential for highest quality with digital - so there is a little margin of error with film. I wouldn't worry to much about it either way - proper metering and consistent results come from your technique and knowledge.

A backlit display is nice though. The 358 is weatherproof, maybe the other one is not (just put it in a pocket if it's raining - should be fine even if not w/p). More sensitivity for low light will come in handy for shooting at night, if you do that. Good luck - their meters are really good (check for reviews here) and I'm sure that any one with the features you want will be fine.

[92135011]

actually i just saw that the "s" version is now weather resistant as well!
Not that I reallly know what weather resistant actually means.
The 398 looks like a nice little meter. Because its also selenium cell, it is smaller, but will die sooner or later. I'm not sure how the useability is because when I first tried it out at the shop, I soon became confused and gave up. I see that you kinda like it though. (plus it does look a lot more interesting than the digital ones)

[straightarm]

If you don't want / need a flash metering facility, then you can get away with either a selenium or CdS meter, which tend to be cheaper.

In the Sekonic range, the 188 & 208 models would appear to meet your needs. (look at the B&H site for prices)

You might also want to consider a second hand Weston meter, which is a selenium meter, meaning no need for batteries. (try the KEH website)

If you want a really cheap meter, look for a Leningrad which was the Russian copy of the Weston. (try ebay)

[another view]

Not that I reallly know what weather resistant actually means.

I don't think anyone does. You're probably a little safer in the rain with it than some others, but my Fuji S2 has gotten pretty wet (more than comfortable) and was still OK. That camera, built on the Nikon N80 body, isn't advertised as weatherproof. If I know it's going to rain, I usually shoot film with the F5 which is one step short of waterproof.

[Dzerzhinski46]

actually i just saw that the "s" version is now weather resistant as well!
Not that I reallly know what weather resistant actually means.
The 398 looks like a nice little meter. Because its also selenium cell, it is smaller, but will die sooner or later. I'm not sure how the useability is because when I first tried it out at the shop, I soon became confused and gave up. I see that you kinda like it though. (plus it does look a lot more interesting than the digital ones)

Yeah ! Analog rules! I mean what is not to like about a meter that has that many bells and whistles, plus it is match needle metering. One of the bains of the O'Kanes. We love gadgets, the more bells and whistles the better. I would be slightly worried though. If it doesn't need batteries, then would it not be so good for low light? And just out of curiousity, why would it die eventually? Another thought, they are cheaper at KEH used than a spiffy new 358. Too many choices!!

[92135011]

That is right with the 398
its not as good for low light as the cell isnt as sensitive. so forget about any lower light indoor shots.
It's a selenium cell, meaning that the sensor is also the battery in a way.
So if the "battery" runs out then thats it for the meter. You can get selenium cells replaced but its expensive.
It really matters what you need it for. If you are using it for large format photography where there's usually a lot of light, then the 398 may be a nice little meter that looks cool. But, if you need it for 35mm, where many of your shots are using f1.4 at 1/30s, then forget the 398. The 308 looks like a great meter, plus it has a sliding dome rather than an exchangable dome which is so much easier to lose! For me, I would get the 358 because I plan on low and bright light and the backlit display and jog wheel are just so handy.
Actually i wanted this one really cool leica meter before that couples straight onto the shutter speed dial on any M camera. Then when you adjust the meter to read correct light, you have no need to change the shutter speed as its connected staight to the meter! But then that justs makes the camera more chunky, less ergonomic, and its not really that great of a meter anyways