For Fuji 6X9 + Sekonic L-208 Twinmate users

Draveur · Oct 19, 2020

Hi.

I have an eye on a Fuji GS690. It will be a "blind" puchase since I have no means to borrow one, even just to hold it in my hands. I have decided to use a Sekonic Twinmate as my light meter. I know about smaller lightmeters, but I find them too small (buttons).

My question : once the L-208 on the flash shoe of the GW690, how is it to hit the "trigger" of the L-208? Is it easy? Natural? You get used to it? Its a pain?

Before investing a fairly good amout of cash on a camera, I would like to know about the usability of this "combo".

I intend to use the GS690 has a carry everywhere camera for a book project (urban landcapes).

Thank you for your feedback.

R.

PS.: Should I go for the GS680 ? Or the difference is of no interest?

cjbecker · Oct 19, 2020

I have never used a fuji rangefinder, but use a l-208. I would never consider putting it on the hotshoe of a camera, too me it seams like it would be way too much trouble to hold the camera and also spin the dial to get the correct exposure, in the hand tho it's a one handed operation and very fast and easy. (just make sure the iso does not get changed on accident. Also if you use it in incident mode, you would have to move the whole camera instead of just the meter. Having said all that, you might already use a light meter in the way you are wanting too, and it works for ya.

moto-uno · Oct 20, 2020

I've used my Twinmate meter in the cold shoe of my Kowa Super 66 and thought it worked a treat , it's mounted on the side though .
It's not like you're in any rush if shooting landscapes , so I don't foresee anything worse than a mild inconvenience . Peter

Bill Burk · Oct 20, 2020

I use the twinmate around my neck. You have to turn it around to use incident mode anyway. Easier if it’s loose. It weighs practically nothing. But mounted on a camera doesn’t feel right to me.

Dan Daniel · Oct 20, 2020

GS690? Did you mean GSW690?

I've used both a Twinmate and a Gossen whose name I forget as a hotshoe meter, including on a GW690. Never worked out for me. Hand holding the meter is much easier and faster. But there are people who use this type of setup all the time and it works well for them. Hopefully one will speak up.

Not sure what you mean by urban landscapes, how fast moving the scenes are you are planning. This is a good read on light and meters that could be helpful. The basic gist: outdoors lighting is actually very stable and consistent and does not need to be metered extensively; in fact does not need to be metered at all if you learn some basics-

http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

Huss · Oct 20, 2020

I use the Voigtlander VCII meter on my GW690. It is a perfect hotshoe meter for that camera, and has only one button to push.
I also have the Sekonic 208, but can't remember the last time I used it w the Fuji.

narsuitus · Oct 20, 2020

I use a handheld Gossen light meter with my Fuji GSW690. This thread caught my attention because I have considered getting a small shoe-mount light meter.

The Seconic L-208 looks like a winner because of its small size, the location of the trigger, the reasonable price, and the reflective and incident ambient light metering. However, the description for a new one from Adorama gives me the impression that it no longer has a shoe-mount.

toyotadesigner · Oct 20, 2020

It does have a shoe mount, which you can attach with a screw. However, note that the L-208 features only the smallest aperture of f=32.

flatulent1 · Oct 20, 2020

Huss said:
I use the Voigtlander VCII meter on my GW690. It is a perfect hotshoe meter for that camera, and has only one button to push.
I also have the Sekonic 208, but can't remember the last time I used it w the Fuji.

I do this as well, it works great. I can't imagine using a larger meter on an already oversized camera.

mgb74 · Oct 20, 2020

I really like my Twinmate. I use mine on one of the retracting reels typically used for badges.

John Koehrer · Oct 20, 2020

This popped up a couple of days ago :https://www.photrio.com/forum/threads/reveni-light-meter.173751/

macfred · Oct 20, 2020

I have the GW670iii and a GSW690II - bought the shoe-mounted Voigtländer VC meter and used it for a few weeks. It's a nice looking gadget; it works like it should and it's pricey ...
I finally sold mine.
Metering with an hand held exposure meter like my Gossen Sixtomat flash is much more versatile (measuring for incident and recflected light; flash metering) and it's reasonably priced.

campy51 · Oct 21, 2020

Have you seen this? EM-01 Mini Light Meter
https://www.kekscameras.com/em01.html#/

guangong · Oct 21, 2020

Years ago I bought a Trinmate with the idea of fixing to hot shoe. Just too awkward. Easier to hang on neck or carry in pocket.
However, since you would already be carrying a somewhat bulky camera, and since landscapes don’t require rapid fire, it would seem that size of meter would make little difference. A LunaPro sized meter fits nicely in the hand.
By the way, can you return the camera for refund if you decide it’s just not for you?

Huss · Oct 25, 2020

campy51 said:
Have you seen this? EM-01 Mini Light Meter
https://www.kekscameras.com/em01.html#/

I was excited about that light meter until I read the specs. The lowest ISO setting is 50! There are quite a few films on the market right now that have a lower ISO rating than that, which I often use, so it ruled it out.

Prest_400 · Oct 25, 2020

campy51 said:
Have you seen this? EM-01 Mini Light Meter
https://www.kekscameras.com/em01.html#/

The batch of "new gen" shoe mounted meters are interesting. Not too pricey and small, which compliment well unmetered cameras.

I have a L308 myself. It is larger, but worth taking the time to use it, and easy to take incident readings with it. I found a used unit and the price was below $100. The GW690 can be fast to shoot, but at 8 shots a roll it is good to slow down a bit.
A reason why I haven't fallen for one of these new shoe meters is that $60 buys a fair bit of film, paper or chemicals. Be warned, 6x9 can be great to shoot in the Texas Leica and the "fuel mileage" can be costly! Specially color.
Do try some E6 with it

Grim Tuesday · Oct 25, 2020

There is also a few in the ~$40 range that ship directly from China and look quite nice:

https://austerityphoto.co.uk/blinded-by-the-light-the-v-201x-light-meter-on-test/

Draveur · Jul 28, 2021

Thanks for your inputs. I guess a handheld meter is in the end not so bad has it can be used in different kinds of situations. Anyway, the project of acquiering a 690 is on the side for some time...

For Fuji 6X9 + Sekonic L-208 Twinmate users

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