Advise for a small and simple light meter to use with Mamiya RB

tkamiya · Apr 26, 2014

I'm looking for a small and simple light meter that can mount on a cold shoe on an L handle for Mamiya RB. I'm looking for something like Sekonic L208.

Are there any other options? I'd like to keep it as inexpensive and simple as possible, as if my metering needs are complex, I can use my other "full feature" meter. Quick Google search only turned up more expensive options....

I need a non-spot reflective metering for certain and possibly an incident metering.

MattKing · Apr 26, 2014

I like the Gossen Digisix/Digiflash, but it has its peculiarities. Some complain about battery life, but they sell the lithium batteries it uses for 3 for $1.00 at my local Dollar stores.

I see there is now a Digisix 2/Digiflash 2.

Alan Gales · Apr 27, 2014

The Gossen Digisix 2 like Matt recommends is available at B&H for $159.99. It's simple and not too expensive. I know that Ken Rockwell had a favorable review on the original version if you want to check it out.

piu58 · Apr 27, 2014

> Some complain about battery life

I have a Digisix. The meter has no switch so it uses battery always. But the battery lasts around one year so that is not a great issue. I love that small but correct metering device.

ruby.monkey · Apr 27, 2014

I doubt you'll find a better combination of compactness and ease of use in a modern meter than that L-208. Press the button, align the needles, and you've got all the matching aperture/shutter-speed combinations you'll need at a glance.

TheToadMen · Apr 27, 2014

Gossen DigiSix:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/gossen/digisix/index.htm

or

Voigtlander VC Meter II:
http://www.cameraquest.com/voivcmet2.htm

mgb74 · Apr 27, 2014

I was looking into this recently and it seemed the the Gossen and Sekonic mentioned were the best choice. The Voigtlander was (IIRC) significantly more expensive.

I do remember reading about some issues with the shoe mount on the L-208, so you might want to investigate that if mounting is important to you.

MattKing · Apr 27, 2014

TheToadMen said:
Gossen DigiSix:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/gossen/digisix/index.htm
View attachment 86957 View attachment 86953

or

Voigtlander VC Meter II:
http://www.cameraquest.com/voivcmet2.htm
View attachment 86954 View attachment 86955 View attachment 86956

At the risk of being picky, it is probably best not to use the Digisix in the way pictured on that Nikon rangefinder - as the integrating dome is in the incident metering position!

bdial · Apr 27, 2014

I've recently been shopping for a meter for similar purposes and settled on the digisix/digiflash. I went for the digiflash since it seemed like the flash measuring could be useful at times.
Note that the little shoe adaptor is extra.

I've read that some people consider them to be a little fussy to use, but in trying one out recently, it seemed easy enough. Seconic has a very simple match-needle meter that's around 100 USD.

BobD · Apr 27, 2014

I have the L208. I think it's about as simple and inexpensive as you can get in a current meter model. There are some vintage clip-on meters that are smaller but they are old selenium type and may need compensation for best accuracy.

tkamiya · Apr 27, 2014

MattKing said:
At the risk of being picky, it is probably best not to use the Digisix in the way pictured on that Nikon rangefinder - as the integrating dome is in the incident metering position!

Mat,

Ken R was probably taking a picture of THAT camera, not using that camera to take a picture. As a super professional photographer, KR surely knows how to use his light meter!

By the way, I noticed that, too.

tkamiya · Apr 27, 2014

I think I'm going to go with L208. I like the simplicity and it seems it is the least expensive light meter of a kind.

Thanks everybody

john_s · Apr 30, 2014

I have found the L-208 to be inconsistent. When turning the dial to match the meter needle, I always turn it anticlockwise because there is some slack (1/2 stop) in the mechanism. Also, I would recommend that you calibrate it against a known good meter because it isn't particularly accurate. I set the film speed on an adjusted setting so it matches other meters, and a different film speed for incident and reflected readings. Apart from that, I do like meter needles rather than digital outputs.

paul ron · Apr 30, 2014

Get a gossen luna pro sbc... Not expensive n probably one of the most sensative n reliable of all! Save yourself the grief of dissapoitments now.

Advise for a small and simple light meter to use with Mamiya RB

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tkamiya

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paul ron

Advise for a small and simple light meter to use with Mamiya RB

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