New light meter recommendation

bluedog · Jul 8, 2008

My Gossen Lunasix 3 as been diagnosed as unrepairable. Consequently I'm looking for a replacement. I only need a basic meter and was wondering whether anyone can recommend the Gossen sixtomat or other meter for under $500? I don't know why, but I would like to stick with Gossen. Any thoughts on a replacement welcomed.
Greg

Marcust101 · Jul 8, 2008

The Gossen Digisix is tiny, reliable and cheap or is that a bit too small?

DWThomas · Jul 8, 2008

Marcust101 said:
The Gossen Digisix is tiny, reliable and cheap or is that a bit too small?

I second this -- although "cheap" is only relative to the more exotic meters out there. You can get an adapter thingie to mount it on an accessory shoe if that would be useful.

DaveT

arigram · Jul 8, 2008

Well, do you want spot? Flash metering?
A Gossen Sixtomat Digital would be fine if you do not require any of those and want something bigger than the Digisix.
http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/foto_produkte.html
It seems that Gossen has discontinued all the analog non-digital meters and now offers only those with LCD/LED displays.

Ed Sukach · Jul 8, 2008

I've been using a Sekonic 308S Flashmate ... Happily, thank you.

It does not have "Spot metering" - (neither did my Gossen Ultra-Pro), but it does what it is supposed to do, and as near as I can tell, it is accurate enough for anyone this side of a borderline anal-retentive psychosis.

All this, and it uses one (!) AA (normal, cheap alkaline) battery.

Jon Butler · Jul 9, 2008

Marcust101 said:
The Gossen Digisix is tiny, reliable and cheap or is that a bit too small?

I have found that the Digisix to be a very useful tool.
I use the timer function for my long exposure work, very handy.
Bought it originally just because I liked the concept and it was good price not
as a replacement for my Pentax Spot-meter but now find I use the Digisix more than the Pentax.
Always keep a spare battery for the Digisix, mine last 10 months, the meter is always on.
JON

Sparky · Jul 9, 2008

What's wrong with another Lunasix 3...? I found a non-functional one on ebay... and had it repaired and calibrated good as new - total cost was something like $65 USD incl. meter & shipping...! They're pretty much my favourite meter ever (also use a FMV for flash stuff).

Sparky · Jul 9, 2008

The beauty of the lunasix 3 is that it's pretty much the most sensitive and reliable light meter ever made...!

Ed Sukach · Jul 9, 2008

Sparky said:
What's wrong with another Lunasix 3...? I found a non-functional one on ebay... and had it repaired and calibrated good as new - total cost was something like $65 USD incl. meter & shipping...! They're pretty much my favourite meter ever (also use a FMV for flash stuff).

The repair and calibration must have been *considerably* less than the intitial quote I received from Bogen.

I would be MOST interested. I have an "intermittent" Gossen Ultra-Pro, and if this R&C outfit is reliable and reasonable, I'll ship it faster than the top of a JOBO tank, dropped in a totally dark darkroom, attains the speed of light and slips into another dimension.

ANY more information would be - eternally - appreciated.

Sparky · Jul 9, 2008

Well Ed - I bought my meter for about $7 on ebay... and had it fixed up at Quality Light Metric - here in nasty hollywood... they're only about 10 blocks away from me... so that was pretty convenient. They said something was wrong with the jewel movement of the needle - so I guess it took a bad drop at some point. They fixed the mechanism and calibrated it and put in new batts... and bob, then, was your proverbial uncle.

Mick Fagan · Jul 9, 2008

Vanbar have a brand spanking new Profisix meter in their glass cabinet, in the Carlton store. saw it there a couple of weeks ago. I have the Profisix and agree about simplicity.

However there a Lunasix 3 on the Oztion auction site, the current bid is $5.00, it is in Langford WA, probably near Perth.

Mick.

bluedog · Jul 10, 2008

Thanks for all the advice. I finally decided on a Sekonic L308S , the online price was too good to resist.

New light meter recommendation

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