Need Help with Sekonic L558R meter

[Chemophilic]

Hi all,

Recently I picked up a Sekonic L-558 from another photographer and I can't get the spotmeter to work. It seems that no matter where I point the spotmeter to (bright, dark, white, black, etc), it gives me a ridiculous reading at 22EV and drops to 10EV when I point it at a strong light! I am wondering if the meter is broken or if there is a hidden function that I am not aware of. Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[evilhomer78]

The exposure compensation setting may be set supper high. Try pressing iso1 & iso2 buttons at the same time while the meter is on and spot metering is selected. It should display Adj with a number. You can turn the wheel to change the compensation +/- 9.9 Ev. Thats the only way I can think of with the sekonic L558 meter that you can get readings that are that far off.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

The exposure compensation setting may be set supper high. Try pressing iso1 & iso2 buttons at the same time while the meter is on and spot metering is selected. It should display Adj with a number. You can turn the wheel to change the compensation +/- 9.9 Ev. Thats the only way I can think of with the sekonic L558 meter that you can get readings that are that far off.

Is the error repeated with when making an incident or reflected reading, additional to spot?

Very similar to evilhomer's tweak above is another: check for a possible custom calibration — this is different to exposure compensation and/or filter factor that has been applied to the meter by the previous owner. To enter Calibration mode, hold down ISO 1 + ISO 2 buttons + power button simultaneously; the display shows CAL 0.x (where x is a tenth). I don't have a reference for the L558 (I use an L758) but I do think it is the same operation. Check the downloadable pdf instructions from Sekonic.com ---> http://www.sekonic.com/images/files/L-558Eng.pdf which will walk you through the meter's modus operandi.

These big Sekonics can be confusing with so many settings if you lose your way and it's often best to remove the battery as a quick "reset" and start again!

 

[avid1]

I am experiencing something similar with my L-558R meter. I wonder if OP had found a fix for the erroneous readings.

 

[BrianShaw]

Check the manual to see if there is an option for reset to factory settings.

 

[Alan9940]

Not to ask the dumb question, but... You are setting the dial around the eyepiece for spot reading vs incident, correct?

 

[ic-racer]

Yes as above. I have had my L558 spot meter "conk out" on me a few times. Easily fixed by taking it back off incident mode

 

[avid1]

Not to ask the dumb question, but... You are setting the dial around the eyepiece for spot reading vs incident, correct?

Yes, of course, like I have done for over two decades. I made it a habit to watch the eye icon blink till it stops before using it, so I confirm it is in spot mode. Besides, I hardly use incident meter for landscape shots. It really is malfunctioning! I even took out the battery for over a minute to reset it. In my tests, it seems to think the light is going into over exposure territory if the light measures over 1/2000. The spec says it should read up to 1/8000. Same for the low end. And it also gives me erratic readings. For example, it reads 1/1000 when I am pointing at a beige wall indoors at f/16. Crazy stuff like that!

 

[avid1]

Yes as above. I have had my L558 spot meter "conk out" on me a few times. Easily fixed by taking it back off incident mode

Unfortunately, not the case here