opinions about light meters

[pounder35]

I'm shopping for a handheld light meter and looking for some input. The Gossen Luna Pro was a great meter but the early model used a Cds cell that will shift readings with age. Also the galvo was sensitive to impact and can no longer be replaced. The Luna Pro SBC may be a good choice but Minolta and Sekonic also made good meters. Any suggestions?

Pounder35

 

[unclemack]

I've had a Gossen Mastersix and a Minolta Flashmeter IV for many years. I keep expecting at least one of them to need recalibration but they're both spot-on still.
Top-line meters like these can be found for reasonable money nowadays and both have a good range of accessories available used.
Both use SPD cell, LCD display & SMT boards so they're bombproof compared to the LunaPro.

 

[Tom Nutter]

Minolta Auotmeter 4F...cheaper than the Flash meter, and just as good for all intents and purposes...

 

[Ektagraphic]

I have a little Sekonic L-208 that I bought for $99 at Freestyle and it is on heck of an awesome little meter!

 

[wiltw]

The Minolta meters were the meters of choice among pros and hobbyists alike in the 1990's until Minolta decided to exit the meter business. The Autometer Vf and the Flashmeter VI meters are now sold under the Kenko name, with new model designations.

 

[ozphoto]

I have a little Sekonic L308 (earlier version of the L308s) - works like a charm and is small enough to put in my pocket when I need to carry light.
As a combined light/flash meter you can't go wrong.

 

[David Brown]

I have both a Minolta IVF and a Gossen Luna Pro SBC. Both excellent - both take readily available batteries. I prefer the Minolta, but that's just me. Their functions are essentially the same. Sekonics are also good.

 

[lightwisps]

I use a Sekonic L358 mostly as a flash meter, but have played with it as an incident meter outdoors. However, I have to say that I have never seen a metering system that rivals the one in my Nikon F5

 

[sepiareverb]

Sekonic 398 Studio Deluxe. I have two, the first is at least 20 years old, and has several big cracks in it yet it meters exactly the same as the second that I bought new about a year ago. The newer model has much larger markings on it which I like as I'm now 20 years older. I really like that they need no batteries too.

 

[Anscojohn]

I'm a dinosaur who loves the Weston Master V. I have several.

 

[seadrive]

Soligor 1 degree spotmeter.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I have a Gossen Luna Pro SBC with a 9 volt battery, I like a whole lot.

Jeff

 

[John R.]

I have several meters, two of them are Luna Star F2's and they are both always dead on accurate. I believe them to be one of, if not, the most accurate meters around. I sometimes use the spot attachment as well and it is equally accurate. In addition to those, I have a Luna Pro SBC hich is a very good analog meter that has always served me well. I also have a digital Soligor spotmeter which has always been accurate after I had it calibrated. I have a Calculight XP that has been around awhile and it is a highly under rated meter because it is every bit as accurate as the Luna Pro SBC. I use this meter with the fiber optic probe with my view cameras on certain shoots.

Consider batteries when you look at meters, some can use pricey cells.

There are plenty of good meters out there, the key is to buy a name brand and make sure it has been well taken care of. Compare readings of one to another. If you question a meter's accuracy have it checked by a technician before you plunk down any cash.

 

[removed-user-1]

I have a Sekonic L-308 which I've used since 1995. Wonderful meter as others have noted. As for batteries, it takes an AA cell.

 

[Sim2]

The Minolta meters were the meters of choice among pros and hobbyists alike in the 1990's until Minolta decided to exit the meter business. The Autometer Vf and the Flashmeter VI meters are now sold under the Kenko name, with new model designations.

Way back when, I used to use a Minolta 111 meter before moving to a Gossen Variosix - never got on with the Gossen, the Minolta was the bees knees. Have replaced the Gossen with a new Kenko (with spotmeter) which is virtually a rebadged Minolta & totally recommend it.
Pentax spotmeters were good also, might be ok s/hand.
Sim2.

 

[Christopher Walrath]

Posted wirelessly..

I'm a dinosaur who loves the Weston Master V. I have several.

Seconded with one amendment. IV

 

[36cm2]

Posted wirelessly..

Pentax digital spotmeter, if you want a spotmeter. I don't know what I would do without it.

 

[L Gebhardt]

I like the Pentax digital spot meter. It's the most intuitive meter I have found.