Light meter options for meter-less Bronica

[Lee L]

Regarding the Gossen Luna Pro: The original batteries are no longer available, so the meter is unusable until you decide on your battery solution, then you have to get it calibrated.

Another option is the Gossen adapter kit that comes with two SR-44 batteries and a battery compartment insert that adjusts the voltage for about $40. With the adapter there is no recalibration necessary, and you just switch to using commonly available batteries.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89868-REG/Gossen_GO_4145_Adapter_Kit_Battery_Holder_for.html

And for those not familiar with the Gossen line, the commonly found LunaPro SBC and LunaProF are later models that do not need a battery conversion. European versions of these meters went by different names.

Lee

 

[MattKing]

Another option is the Gossen adapter kit that comes with two SR-44 batteries and a battery compartment insert that adjusts the voltage for about $40. With the adapter there is no recalibration necessary, and you just switch to using commonly available batteries.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/89868-REG/Gossen_GO_4145_Adapter_Kit_Battery_Holder_for.html

And for those not familiar with the Gossen line, the commonly found LunaPro SBC and LunaProF are later models that do not need a battery conversion. European versions of these meters went by different names.

Lee

The European names apply in Canada as well - the LunaPro SBC is/was a Profisix here.

I could be wrong, but the LunaPro F may have had the same name worldwide.

They both take a 9 volt battery (the commonly available chunky ones that used to be used in transistor radios).

There is also a LunaLux meter that is similar, but IMHO less desirable, because it gives less information in a "Zone System" environment.

 

[holmburgers]

I wouldn't upgrade to one of the awesome new Sekonic light meters, because IMO they are actually less awesome than Sekonic's old standard for the past 60 or so years, the Studio Deluxe. They are reliable, simple, compact, battery-less, well-built, and time tested. They are also very inexpensive compared to the digital ones.

+1

To me, these are certainly the most appealing meters available.

http://www.sekonic.com/products/Sekonic L-398A STUDIO DELUXE III.asp

 

[dugrant153]

I found one of these on Craigslist:
Sekonic Auto Lumi L-158 Light Meter
Solar powered - just line it up with the dial... if no sun, means no meter? LOL

I'm borrowing someone's Sekonic L-308 right now and it's really good... and accurate. No more black and white overexposure/underexposure (ugh) from reflected readings. However, I can see how my workflow will have to change. I'm used to metering from a distance.

(So on a side note, does anyone have any links or tips or a thread link that talks about how to ambient meter while on the go during a wedding... especially with my documentary style?)

 

[markbarendt]

One thing that constantly amazes me is how predictable and stable lighting normally is.

When you walk into a room, walk around and take your readings in the directions you will be shooting then you are good to go until something significant changes.

The other thing is simply experience. In time you can get to a point where you understand how bright certain situations are.

This is a good example of that idea http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

Many wedding shooters get to the point where the only thing they do with a meter is verify what they know.

 

[MattKing]

I found one of these on Craigslist:
Sekonic Auto Lumi L-158 Light Meter
Solar powered - just line it up with the dial... if no sun, means no meter? LOL

I'm borrowing someone's Sekonic L-308 right now and it's really good... and accurate. No more black and white overexposure/underexposure (ugh) from reflected readings. However, I can see how my workflow will have to change. I'm used to metering from a distance.

(So on a side note, does anyone have any links or tips or a thread link that talks about how to ambient meter while on the go during a wedding... especially with my documentary style?)

With regard to that Craigslist meter, the only problem with that type of meter is that its low light sensitivity is limited - EV 7 at 100 ASA is brighter than many churches or reception halls.

And as for tips - just get into the habit of taking a reading whenever there is a break in the action, and make a point of recording or memorizing light levels everywhere you go (i.e. practice!).

 

[dugrant153]

haha... looks like I just have to practice then! I'm playing around with this L308 and it's a lot of fun and I think I'm start of getting the hang of it.

I see it as being a benefit to me to "understand light", especially after using only in-camera meters for so long.

Hmm... here's another one that popped up. I think I'll go with the lower end manual one (seems very simple, and I don't need meter for studio work) and maybe upgrade later.

http://www.sekonic.com/products/Sekonic L-208 TWINMATE.asp

Oh just realized it's... EV3 low point. Not great for low light so it seems, which I need.

 

[dugrant153]

Okay, so I've narrowed it down to about 3 different meters.... I have shot in various reception venues and churches that tend to get quite dark, so I need something that will definitely be usable in lowlight (say 1600 or 3200 ASA at F2.8... that sort of stuff).

Anyone ever heard of the Kenko RFM-1100? Store clerk said it's a remake of the Minolta meters?

 

[holmburgers]

Which 3?

 

[CGW]

"Anyone ever heard of the Kenko RFM-1100? Store clerk said it's a remake of the Minolta meters?"

Really more a rebranding. It's slightly made-over Minolta Autometer VF. The Kenko is nicely priced at around 250-ish. The Sekonic L-358 is another, pricier candidate.

 

[dugrant153]

The Sekonic L-358 was on my list for a bit but I think the need for the CR123A battery and the fact that it's larger and more expensive than the L308 moved it out of my top list.

Sorry, my top 3 are:

-Sekonic L-308s (new) - small-ish, great sensitivity, easy to use, AA batteries (widely available)
-Kenko RFM-1100 (new) - very good sensitivity, available new, AA batteries (widely available)... but I'm not sure what kind of support I can suspect from Kenko in the long term if I need warranty service? It seems like an L-358 competitor, albeit without Aperture priority mode... something I was hoping for in a more expensive model.
-Sekonic L-208 (new) - cheap, small, easy to use with dial, uses small battery, can mount on my Bronica Speed Grip (hotshoe mount) for quick reflective

I figure anything above these is overkill for me, since it's only one of my cameras that needs a meter. On top of the Bronica, I shoot with a Pentax 645 and a Pentax K-7 as my other main cameras. And the latter two have built in reflected meters... (although I may use the separate lightmeter for both the Pentax and Bronica, leave the digital K-7 on its own).

Quick operation is important to me. I'll have my hands full during an event with firing my cameras, and don't want to have to use two hands to operate my meter.
Also, I realize all of these don't have Av priority mode, but I'm okay with going on Sv priority and cycling up and down with buttons to get the proper aperture.

I think I'll give the Kenko a look over tomorrow as they have it in the store

 

[dugrant153]

So... I bought one...

Just as an update, in the end I ended up with the Sekonic L-308. While it doesn't have Av priority mode, I'm okay with using the shutter priority and adjusting. It kind of helps actually since I just set the thing to 1/500th shutter speed in bright sunlight (the max of my Bronica ETRS) and check what the widest aperture is.

The L-308 is really lightweight and really easy to use. Love it so far, and many shots are coming out properly exposed. I now even use it on my digital!

 

[CGW]

Just as an update, in the end I ended up with the Sekonic L-308. While it doesn't have Av priority mode, I'm okay with using the shutter priority and adjusting. It kind of helps actually since I just set the thing to 1/500th shutter speed in bright sunlight (the max of my Bronica ETRS) and check what the widest aperture is.

The L-308 is really lightweight and really easy to use. Love it so far, and many shots are coming out properly exposed. I now even use it on my digital!

Great! I have one and love it, too. I bought a 558 later for its spot meter, twin ISO settings, Av mode, and memory but don't dig its size. The 308 always delivered and gets used whenever I'm not packing serious gear tonnage. I loan it to a friend who calls it the "anti-chimping device" since the incident readings are usually dead on.