Looking for a light meter

[brianentz]

Not sure if this is the best forum for this question, but...
Got a new ETRSi system and have a waist level finder so I want a meter to go with. I really like the Luna Pro F because I don't need to switch adapters to go from Reflective to Incident readings - just slide the dome over. Love it. I don't need flash readings. My concern now is two fold: I like the Luna Pro Grey because of the smaller size but am concerned about battery problems - the old mercury adapters don't seem to be available. I need to keep it small because the shoulder bag is already pretty full. Sooo, it doesn't have to be Gossen, but I want a light meter that is smaller, won't give me battery problems and doesn't require me to change adapters to shift from incident to reflective readings. Any suggestions?

 

[BrianShaw]

The old Gossen meters are fantastic. I routinely use a Luna Pro (the gray one that you mention) and recently obtained a Luna Pro SBC. Like you, I like the ability to quickly change from reflected to incident metering. The SBC uses a current battery and has a dial offset feature for filter factors. Convenient features but its a huge meter. You seem to know the pluses and minuses so I won't reiterate what you already know..

Battery adapters are available from several sources on ebay. Use "camera battery adapter" as search terms. Just make sure that the adapter you choose actually reduces voltage; some do not. Several people here have reported good success with the adapter from Thailand.

 

[GregY]

Gossen Digisix

 

[Nitroplait]

Just get a modern meter with a direct readout instead of having to turn dials after taking a reading. Sekonic L-308x is reliable and use modern batteries.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

Gossen Digisix View attachment 317535

Didnt knew the Digisix could go reflected light measuring. This could be a replacement for Luna Pro (my current all around light meter for medium format cameras).

brianentz - I use this on my Luna Pro with good results:

MR9 MR-9 PX625 PX13 Battery Adapter for Film Camera & Exposure Meter / Mercury | eBay

Price is for one adapter only. Use of 386 / SR43W Silver Oxide battery (1.55 V) to.

www.ebay.com

Just remember to use Silve Oxide batteries to get consistent measures.


Marcelo

 

[BobD]

Sekonic L-208 is a very small, analog meter that uses a modern battery and easily switches from incident to reflected modes:

https://sekonic.com/sekonic-l-208-twinmate-analog-light-meter/

 

[GregY]

Didnt knew the Digisix could go reflected light measuring. This could be a replacement for Luna Pro (my current all around light meter for medium format cameras).

brianentz - I use this on my Luna Pro with good results:

MR9 MR-9 PX625 PX13 Battery Adapter for Film Camera & Exposure Meter / Mercury | eBay

Price is for one adapter only. Use of 386 / SR43W Silver Oxide battery (1.55 V) to.

www.ebay.com

Just remember to use Silve Oxide batteries to get consistent measures.


Marcelo

Yes, just slide the dome to either side

 

[Pigsonboy]

I can recommend a Gossen Profisix SBC it uses a modern 9 volt battery.

It may be model branded differently in USA.

See attached pics - they come up on the bay occasionally - I think I paid about £30GBP

Also I like it because of the dial and instant view of shutter/aperture combinations plus it's got EV values & Zone System scale.

Also I'm a fan of iPhone app mylightmeter https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mylightmeter-pro/id583922375

Hope this helps...

 

[TheFlyingCamera]

Sekonic 308 - fantastic little meter, fits in all but the stingiest of pockets, has the incident dome that slides out of the way, has a very easy to read LCD readout, and takes one AA battery, so if it does die, you can replace it easily just about anywhere on the planet except for Antarctica.

 

[logan2z]

Sekonic 308 - fantastic little meter, fits in all but the stingiest of pockets, has the incident dome that slides out of the way, has a very easy to read LCD readout, and takes one AA battery, so if it does die, you can replace it easily just about anywhere on the planet except for Antarctica.

Great meter, I've been using one for years. The only slightly annoying thing I run into from time to time is that the dome gets knocked out of position when I pull the meter out of my pocket. If I don't think to check for this then I can get an incorrect incident reading. Just something to be aware of.

 

[Marcelo Paniagua]

I can recommend a Gossen Profisix SBC it uses a modern 9 volt battery.

It may be model branded differently in USA.

See attached pics - they come up on the bay occasionally - I think I paid about £30GBP

Also I like it because of the dial and instant view of shutter/aperture combinations plus it's got EV values & Zone System scale.

Also I'm a fan of iPhone app mylightmeter https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mylightmeter-pro/id583922375

Hope this helps...

You can find it as Gossen Luna-Pro SBC as well. Excellent light meter and one of my light meter on the past, although a bit on the large side. Thats why I picked a different light meter.

 

[GregY]

 

[Sirius Glass]

Sekonic 308 - fantastic little meter, fits in all but the stingiest of pockets, has the incident dome that slides out of the way, has a very easy to read LCD readout, and takes one AA battery, so if it does die, you can replace it easily just about anywhere on the planet except for Antarctica.

Great meter, I've been using one for years. The only slightly annoying thing I run into from time to time is that the dome gets knocked out of position when I pull the meter out of my pocket. If I don't think to check for this then I can get an incorrect incident reading. Just something to be aware of.

You can find it as Gossen Luna-Pro SBC as well. Excellent light meter and one of my light meter on the past, although a bit on the large side. Thats why I picked a different light meter.

I had a Gossen Luna Lux SBC and it was great. I have the Sekonic L-308 but the Sekonic L-208 might be a better fit for your needs. I like the Gossen Luna Lux SBC & Sekonic L-308 which give the choice of size, both have the incident meter, the Gossen Luna Lux SBC allows the use of the Zone System and can take a spot meter attachment.

 

[BrianShaw]

Big size difference, for sure! Another worthwhile consideration are the attachments that are available for the Luna Pro. I find the spot metering attachment quite worthwhile even if it is “just” 15 and 7.5 degrees. Also, for the SBC there is a very affordable flash attachment if that is a useful function.

 

[ic-racer]

I don't know why the Revini is any different than the larger meters (assuming reflected average is all you need). Works for me. Gives the same results as my larger average reflected meter (because I calibrated them the same).

 

[Pieter12]

I use a Gossen Digisix when on location, unless I am using strobes. It is small, slips into your pocket easily, pretty simple to use once you learn how to get to the menu you need for adjusting ISO--pretty much the only thing you need to adjust. It does have a built in thermometer (not sure why) and a timer, clock and alarm (not sure why that one, either). It reads out in EV in 1/3 increments, so if you have a camera like a Hasselblad, there is no need to twist dials, just set the camera to the EV. Downside is it is always on, so carry a spare battery (Lithiun CR 2032) but the battery lasts a long time.

 

[reddesert]

Everybody has a favorite but for this mine is the Gossen Luna Pro Digital F or Sixtomat F2 (same thing; Gossen used to have different names in the US and European markets). It is a bit smaller than the old Luna Pro, has the slide-over incident dome, uses 1x AA battery, an easy to read display, and has auto power off, so the battery lasts forever. Still available new.

 

[Paul Howell]

If shooting in low light I use a Gossen Luna-Lux, does use LED to find exposure but not a digital readout which I like, when I shoot the zone I like to see the dial. In good light a Weston Master VI, selenium cell, no battery, I have the inversra cone for incident metering, takes a bit of time to attach, it does not slide but clips on, unlike the Gossen Luna Lux I can use it with one hand. For large format I use my very old Soliagar spot meter, or a 35mm camera with spot and matrix metering and longish zoom lens like a 70 to 300. I found that my Sigma SA9 works really well as does a Minolta 5. My Soliagar is getting wonky, looking for replacement, either a Minolta or Pentax.

 

[logan2z]

Everybody has a favorite but for this mine is the Gossen Luna Pro Digital F or Sixtomat F2 (same thing; Gossen used to have different names in the US and European markets). It is a bit smaller than the old Luna Pro, has the slide-over incident dome, uses 1x AA battery, an easy to read display, and has auto power off, so the battery lasts forever. Still available new.

I've been eyeing that meter for a while. I don't know why, it seems like the Sekonic 308 I have has pretty much the same functionality. But there's something attractive about the Gossen that I can't quite put my finger on so I've been trying to justify it's purchase to myself for months

 

[eli griggs]

The grey Luna Pro can be modified with a Schottky diode to give the correct power level, from a Silver Oxide battery.

Just use the correct diode and move carefully inside the case and inner works, getting someone else that has the skills and experience to do the job, if you can no or will no do it yourself.

The procedure, well documented on YouTube, is straight forward but might be a bit fiddly for some.

The larger Luna Pro F is a great meter too, with outstanding low light readings and can take the same accessories as the smaller grey Luna Pro, such as the darkroom enlarging meter or the "spot" meter attachment.

A Weston Master V or IV is also a good choice, but be certain get the intercone attachment for it's best work.

Analog dial calculators on these meters is a great aid in actually seeing all at once the ranges of possibilities before you in any single reading, and zone system stickers also are sold and are good helpers too.

Lastly, the Pentax V meter can also be a very good choice, as the above, with dial calculator and zone stickers available.

It's a reflected reading meter but a ping-pong dome, or piece of thin styrofoam disk or cup bottom, can also make insidental light readings.

Have fun.

 

[Dan Daniel]

Great meter, I've been using one for years. The only slightly annoying thing I run into from time to time is that the dome gets knocked out of position when I pull the meter out of my pocket. If I don't think to check for this then I can get an incorrect incident reading. Just something to be aware of.

Put a piece of tape across the top of the dome on the Sekonik L308 and wrap it to the back. Masking tape will work fine

 

[Nitroplait]

I've been eyeing that meter for a while. I don't know why, it seems like the Sekonic 308 I have has pretty much the same functionality. But there's something attractive about the Gossen that I can't quite put my finger on so I've been trying to justify it's purchase to myself for months

I own an earlier version of the same Gossen Sixtomat F2 design called "Sixtomat Digital".
I can say that I strongly dislike the tactile feedback from the soft rubbery buttons, the Sekonic L308 is much nicer in that regard.
The Sekonic wins ergonomically if you do more incident metering than reflective. The Gossen design works better for the latter.

The fancy exposure range functionality on the Gossen is mostly a gimmick. It makes more sense in a spotmeter - I wish my Pentax spotmeter had it - but I have never found use for it in a compact handheld meter with such a broad reflective metering angle.

Both Gossen Sixtomat Digital and Sekonic L308 are nice meters and of similar class, but I almost always reach for the L308.

BTW: I also had to repair the Gossen a couple of times. The soldering of the battery connectors went bad twice, but I could fix it myself.

 

[MattKing]

I use a Gossen Digisix when on location, unless I am using strobes.

And if you want to use it with flash, the Gossen Digiflash adds that capability, in the same size case.

 

[logan2z]

Put a piece of tape across the top of the dome on the Sekonik L308 and wrap it to the back. Masking tape will work fine

I thought about doing that but figured it would just keep peeling off as I took the meter in and out of my pocket. But I'll give it a try.

 

[logan2z]

The Sekonic wins ergonomically if you do more incident metering than reflective.

Is that because of the top-mounted placement of the dome on the Gossen meter? I wondered if that might prove a bit awkward in practice.