Light Meter

Pieter12 · Jun 14, 2018

I recently acquired a Rolleicord V that I intend to use for candid (including street) photography. The Rollei does't have a meter, so I am looking for recommendations for a (small) hand-held reflected meter. So far, I am leaning toward the Gossen Luna Pro, but not sure what else is out there.

jimjm · Jun 14, 2018

The Luna Pro is a good meter, but definitely not one of the smaller ones out there. I use a Sekonic Twinmate L208 for walking-around if using a meterless camera. It's been really accurate and I haven't yet changed the battery in over 6 years. Easy to carry in your pocket.

cb1 · Jun 14, 2018

I used a L308S for my meterless cameras, but I wanted to learn more about spot metering so I picked up the sekonic L758DR. I know it is pricey, but I want to learn more so I can get paid for this stuff. LOL

Marcelo Paniagua · Jun 14, 2018

Gossen Lunapro is really good for low light so if planning for shooting that way, really recommend it. That one is one of my lightmeters and the one I use the more.

Marcelo

Paul Howell · Jun 14, 2018

The Gossen is a great meter, reads well in very low light. For battery-less options, Weston IV, some of the old GE meters also work well. I have both a Weston and GE, the GE has a hood that comes off for low light, very accurate. I also have Weston Ranger 9, it uses batteries. I use hearing aid batteries, it's very accurate and does better in low light than a Master IV. For street work I would stay away from incident meters, a reflective average meter will do just as well once you learn how to use it. I have not tired but many seem to like to use a smart phone with down loaded app, there are several on the market.

saman13 · Jun 14, 2018

I got one luna pro, liked it so much I got another (mostly to get the spot attachment that was on it). They're good meters, accurate and intuitive, but as mentioned above, not pocketable. I was expecting something much smaller when I got my first one. You don't much notice it hanging around your neck though. It's a little smaller than the screen of an iphone (but obviously thicker).

If you have a soldering iron, you can easily adjust these to use modern batteries. See this video:

Using a schottky diode, I did the modification in about 10 minutes. I now have a "professional" light meter with incident, reflected, and spot capabilities, that uses modern batteries, for about $15. That's hard to beat.

I still have to modify the second one I got. Maybe I'll do that this weekend.

macfred · Jun 14, 2018

From my own experience I can recommend the Gossen Sixtomat Flash featuring LCD readout, incident and reflected light readings and flash measurement. It needs one AA battery; convenient size and easy to use.
The Sixtomat Flash is available used for less than $ 100.
The Sixtomat F2 (with simillar specs) is available new for about $ 200.
Another nice (and even smaller) meter is the Gossen Digisix 2 with digital LCD readout, analog scales and reflective or incident modes. It takes a 3V CR2032 Lithium battery. Price is about $ 160.

macfred · Jun 14, 2018

If you like it more simple ... It's lightweight, astonishing accurate and battery independent.

Tages - und Kunstlicht Belichtungstabelle by Andreas, on Flickr

btaylor · Jun 14, 2018

I would also give a thumbs up to the Gossen Luna Pro and Digisix. Oddly, even though I have smaller meters, I find myself using the Luna Pro most of the time. I spent a few dollars on it and had Gossen calibrate it and prvide a battery conversion-- I don't know if they still provide those services. The Digisix is one of the smallest meters I have ever used. It is easy to use and includes incident capabilities. Unfortunately mine suddenly started reading about 4 stops off, and it didn't seem to be worth fixing when new ones are $160 and I am happy with the old Luna Pro.

saman13, that's a nifty video. I have a spare Luna Pro ($5!) I may try that trick.

OP, congrats on the Rolleicord V. I've had one for decades, it's a wonderful camera capable of great images with less weight than the Rolleiflex.

saman13 · Jun 14, 2018

btaylor said:
saman13, that's a nifty video. I have a spare Luna Pro ($5!) I may try that trick.
.

The guy that does "Fix Old Cameras" is pretty awesome. I've tried quite a few of his repairs and they've always worked out well for me. He even has videos on completely disassembling copal shutters. Haven't had to try that one yet but it's good to know it's there.

Shoom · Jun 14, 2018

I would second the love for Gossen, but get the Luna Pro SBC instead of the plain Luna Pro, as that one (the SBC) uses normal 9v batteries.

Alternatively, Sunny-16 also works pretty well

Pentode · Jun 14, 2018

My grandfather's Weston served me well for a while years ago and later, thanks to a flea market find, I used a Sekonic 162 "Auto Leader 3". Both are selenium meters (no batteries) and the Sekonic is very small and light and is pretty accurate. I've also used a Sekonic incident meter from time to time; a Studio Deluxe II which is also small, light, accurate and requires no battery. Of the three, the 162 is my favorite although it will never be as good in low light as a (battery dependant) CdS cell.

If you're not shooting slide film you might want to consider using the cell phone app My Pocket Light Meter. It's free, it's configurable and it's actually quite accurate. Certainly well within the latitude of print film. I've tried three phone apps for light metering and all three work surprisingly well. It may not have the same tactile appeal as a hand-held meter, but it is very practical.

Poisson Du Jour · Jun 14, 2018

cb1 said:
but I wanted to learn more about spot metering so I picked up the sekonic L758DR.

The L758D is a long-term keeper with virtually unlimited avenues to explore metering, be it spot/multispot or incident. It's applicability to street photography might be questionable in that it would excel in multispot/averaging but may not be so suitable for incident in great differences in illumination. Nor would it be the best choice for C41 or B&W work where so much latitude in either and both offsets the inherent accuracy of the meter in those situations. But with slide film and a skilled hand, nothing beats it.

Fin · Jun 15, 2018

Shoom said:
I would second the love for Gossen, but get the Luna Pro SBC instead of the plain Luna Pro, as that one (the SBC) uses normal 9v batteries.

Have a big +1 from me! The Luna Pro SBC (Or Profisix in Europe) is a fantastic meter, the Luna Pro F ( Lunasix F in Europe) is similar but without the electronic connections for different attachments and with slightly less sensitivity.

Both are a bit larger than other meters, but both are very easy to use for outdoor and studio/indoor flash shots. And yes, they use a standard battery you can buy anywhere.

guangong · Jun 15, 2018

For small, a Digisix. Bought mine new long ago specifically to use with Polaroid P/N 4x5 film because of thermometer and timer, it it is my usual carry around meter. Not only small but almost weightless.
For really small, I use a calculator downloaded from Internet that is about the same dimensions as a STICK of chewing gum. Carry this in shirt pocket when carrying Minox III.
Small, but without batteries, a Gossen Pilot, although not very practical in dimly lit bars, etc.
Ranger 9 and LunaproF are very good but bulky.
I can count the times in a year I use my spot meters. Mainly with very long lenses shooting unevenly lit subjects.
Over many decades trying all kinds of meters I generally use a reflective meter and only find an incident meter necessary for shooting movies.

RalphLambrecht · Jun 15, 2018

Pieter12 said:
I recently acquired a Rolleicord V that I intend to use for candid (including street) photography. The Rollei does't have a meter, so I am looking for recommendations for a (small) hand-held reflected meter. So far, I am leaning toward the Gossen Luna Pro, but not sure what else is out there.

the Gossen Lunar is a very good meter.Much smaller and almost as good is the Gossen DigiSix and less $ too.

MattKing · Jun 15, 2018

Fin said:
The Luna Pro SBC (Or Profisix in Europe) is a fantastic meter, the Luna Pro F ( Lunasix F in Europe) is similar but without the electronic connections for different attachments and with slightly less sensitivity.

Profisix and Lunasix F in Canada as well. I expect that those names apply everywhere in the world except the USA.
There is actually a third version - known as the Luna-lux SBC in some parts of the world - that uses LEDs instead of the null needle.
All three offer SBC cells instead of the CDS cells used in the older meters.
Many of the non-electronic attachments that were originally made available for the older, CDS cell based Luna Pro meters will work with the newer SBC meters.

Arthurwg · Jun 15, 2018

macfred said:
f you like it more simple ... It's lightweight, astonishing accurate and battery independent.

macfred, what do you call that gizmo and where can I get one?

Dennis-B · Jun 15, 2018

Shoom said:
I would second the love for Gossen, but get the Luna Pro SBC instead of the plain Luna Pro, as that one (the SBC) uses normal 9v batteries.

Alternatively, Sunny-16 also works pretty well

I'll third the recommendation on the Luna Pro SBC. They're available, and at reasonable prices. I like the "null" reading method used. You can also add that the silicon blue cell has advantages over the older CdS cells.

I paid $30 for one at a local show, and it's in perfect condition.

If you want to go the spot meter route, you can find a Soligor spot meter for fairly cheap money. There are also Pentax spot meters, a bit more expensive, but well worth it.

While the older selenium cells don't "go bad", they need rest if continuously exposed to bright light. The better ones are good for more than 50 years, sometimes more.

Eric Rose · Jun 15, 2018

I'm still using this Zeiss Ikon meter I got from my father. Surprisingly accurate in normal light.

ReginaldSMith · Jun 15, 2018

For fun, I'd like to suggest THIS as the ultimate lightweight, easy to use, no batteries, dirt cheap "exposure meter." From Fred Parker.
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

For about a year I carried this in the form of a two-sided laminated card. It served me perfectly. I also have a Luna Pro analog 9V meter - because, well, why not. But, for 90% of the applications where I am shooting, the paper chart works every bit as accurately. Enjoy.

saman13 · Jun 15, 2018

ReginaldSMith said:
For fun, I'd like to suggest THIS as the ultimate lightweight, easy to use, no batteries, dirt cheap "exposure meter." From Fred Parker.
http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm

For about a year I carried this in the form of a two-sided laminated card. It served me perfectly. I also have a Luna Pro analog 9V meter - because, well, why not. But, for 90% of the applications where I am shooting, the paper chart works every bit as accurately. Enjoy.

This table is great to use on a Minolta 7s because you have a direct readout of the EV for a particular shutter speed and f stop on the barrel of the lens (not sure if others in the Minolta series have this too). I have a screenshot of it on my iPhone and use that as my exposure meter. A lot easier and cheaper than Wein cells.

Pieter12 · Jun 15, 2018

guangong said:
For small, a Digisix. Bought mine new long ago specifically to use with Polaroid P/N 4x5 film because of thermometer and timer, it it is my usual carry around meter. Not only small but almost weightless.
For really small, I use a calculator downloaded from Internet that is about the same dimensions as a STICK of chewing gum. Carry this in shirt pocket when carrying Minox III.
Small, but without batteries, a Gossen Pilot, although not very practical in dimly lit bars, etc.
Ranger 9 and LunaproF are very good but bulky.
I can count the times in a year I use my spot meters. Mainly with very long lenses shooting unevenly lit subjects.
Over many decades trying all kinds of meters I generally use a reflective meter and only find an incident meter necessary for shooting movies.

Thanks all. I found a Gossen Digisix at KEH that seems just right for my purposes. I considered using a phone app, but I find turning on the phone then launching the app just takes too much time for the kind of photography I'm doing.

Sirius Glass · Jun 15, 2018

jimjm said:
The Luna Pro is a good meter, but definitely not one of the smaller ones out there. I use a Sekonic Twinmate L208 for walking-around if using a meterless camera. It's been really accurate and I haven't yet changed the battery in over 6 years. Easy to carry in your pocket.

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Gossen Lunapro is really good for low light so if planning for shooting that way, really recommend it. That one is one of my lightmeters and the one I use the more.

I like my Gossen Luna Pro SBC. I allows me to use the Zone System and is great for low light levels. I also have the 7.5° and 15° attachment for spot readings.

Marcelo

cb1 said:
I used a L308S for my meterless cameras, but I wanted to learn more about spot metering so I picked up the sekonic L758DR. I know it is pricey, but I want to learn more so I can get paid for this stuff. LOL

I use the Sekonic L308S because it has flash exposure measurements, incident and reflective readings and I can read EVs.

ReginaldSMith · Jun 15, 2018

saman13 said:
This table is great to use on a Minolta 7s because you have a direct readout of the EV for a particular shutter speed and f stop on the barrel of the lens (not sure if others in the Minolta series have this too). I have a screenshot of it on my iPhone and use that as my exposure meter. A lot easier and cheaper than Wein cells.

My Konica III also has EV scale on the barrel. Nice.

Light Meter

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