Recommendations for a small lightmeter

mgb74 · Apr 20, 2010

Looking for recommendations for a small light meter that does well in low light. I have (and like) a Minolta IVF and a Pentax Spotmeter, but want something small to use with my Russian rangefinder. Outdoors I'm OK with sunny 16, but need help indoors.

Searching, I read good things about the Gossen Digisix and the Sekonic L-208. Any thoughts on these? Any other recommendations?

Again, size and low light capability are key.

martyryan · Apr 21, 2010

I recently bought the Gossen digisix, and have been very happy with it's performance in low light and expecially the size of the unit. If you look at the specs for the Sekonic, I believe that is not nearly as sensitive in low light.
Marty

Rick A · Apr 21, 2010

I have a Sekonic Studio Delux L-398, use it for everything. Only wish it was more sensitive in low light.

Ken N · Apr 21, 2010

I used to own the classic Gossen Lunapro. That one was outstanding for indoor work. But these days I use combo flash/ambient meters. Not as good on the lowest end, though.

Joe Brugger · Apr 21, 2010

The Sekonic 308 series uses an AA battery, slips into a pocket and is very good in low light. Does both incident and reflected readings and can usually be found for less than US$200.

I've had good experience with the Gossen Scout and Pilot but haven't used their newer meters.

mgb74 said:
Looking for recommendations for a small light meter that does well in low light. I have (and like) a Minolta IVF and a Pentax Spotmeter, but want something small to use with my Russian rangefinder. Outdoors I'm OK with sunny 16, but need help indoors.

Searching, I read good things about the Gossen Digisix and the Sekonic L-208. Any thoughts on these? Any other recommendations?

Again, size and low light capability are key.

Q.G. · Apr 21, 2010

The Digisix and Digiflash are nice.
Small, so not too many buttons, so you have to press them often to change a setting.
And the buttons are rather exposed, so are pressed a bit too easy accidentally.
But still very nice meters.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 21, 2010

mgb74 said:
Looking for recommendations for a small light meter that does well in low light. I have (and like) a Minolta IVF and a Pentax Spotmeter, but want something small to use with my Russian rangefinder. Outdoors I'm OK with sunny 16, but need help indoors.

Searching, I read good things about the Gossen Digisix and the Sekonic L-208. Any thoughts on these? Any other recommendations?

Again, size and low light capability are key.

I've owned both. Between them, I much prefer the
Sekonic -- I prefer the Sekonic's needle to the Gossen's
digital readout. And the Gossen eats batteries fast.
Just don't drop the Sekonic -- it doesn't like to be
dropped. (Happily, Sekonic will repair the meter if
you do drop it. But don't.)

If you can bear a bit more size and heft, I second the
recommendation above for the L-398 Studio Deluxe.
I still use the L-208 on occasion but the L-398 is a
sweet, reliable, and compact instrument.

Denis P. · Apr 21, 2010

As Joe above said, Sekonic L308 is a good choice - compact, light and rather sensitive. I don't like its digital readout, though.

I prefer my old Quantum Calcu-Light XP - about the size of the Sekonic L308, but has a nice wheel, providing you with all available combinations at a glance - somewhat like the lightmeters of old (e.g. Westons, etc.).
Calcu-Light is also VERY sensitive...

Curt · Apr 21, 2010

Pocket Spot by Metered Light.

John Koehrer · Apr 21, 2010

The Sekonic L398 is not an especially good low light meter, nor is it small.
The Digisix & Sekonic L208 are both small & lightweight, I bought a used Digiflash for $75 & don't really need the flash meter function. What can I say? it was $75.
The Sekonic L-308s has a slightly better low light sensitivity than the 208 & is still pretty compact.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 21, 2010

John Koehrer said:
The Sekonic L398 is not an especially good low light meter, nor is it small.

I've found that it works well enough in low light. The needle
doesn't move much, but it moves, and the scale is calibrated.
It has not yet let me down.

As for size, it is bigger than the L-208, but it is a lot smaller
than a Luna Pro.

Curt · Apr 21, 2010

Years ago I used to have this meter.

http://www.jollinger.com/photo/meters/meters/sekonic_l206.html

It wasn't until a few months ago that I received this meter.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...mage_result&resnum=5&ct=image&ved=0CBkQ9QEwBA

In the mean time I used the Fred Picker Zone IV Soligor spot meter and some others including a backup Luna Pro which is a very nice meter too albeit big and bulky. The Pocket Spot is truly a unique product being machined from a block of aluminum and built to last. You can read about it on their site, it's simply amazing.
I have no connection to the manufacturer except in the purchase of a meter but would highly recommend the meter.

ic-racer · Apr 21, 2010

I also have used ( and still use ) the L206 as my main meter since I got it in 1976. I have never found anything to replace it to my satisfaction. However I did see the Metered Light meter and it DOES look like a 'perfect meter' for me. Curt, where did you get yours and how much did it cost you, if you don't mind saying.

Curt · Apr 21, 2010

I bought it directly from Metered Light and the price was $425.00 and they sent it out right away.

Sparky · Apr 22, 2010

crazy what those things cost these days. I remember buying my first lunasix-3 (very slightly more sensitive than a luna pro, the US equivalent) for $89 canadian... that was a top of the line meter at the time... circa '83 or something.

Metroman · Apr 22, 2010

I went through this last year. Despite having a couple of Westons, a Lunasix 3 and the L-398A I wanted something - preferably shoe mount - for my M2 and CL when travelling light. I looked at three:

Twinmate L-208 EV3 to EV17 at ISO 100

Digisix EV0 to EV18 at ISO 100

Voigtlander VC Meter II EV1 to EV20 at ISO 100

I initially bought the L-208 but found it was too big for slipping the camera in my coat pocket plus I didn't like the plastic construction. I got the Voigtlander VC Meter II and love it, very small and metal construction. OK only reflected metering but that is a trade off.

perkeleellinen · Apr 22, 2010

I use the L-208, here for scale:

I don't mount it on my camera, but rather keep it in my pocket, it's extremely small and very, very light. No doubt because of the plastic construction, but I don't mind that. As for low-light, for me it's worked fine under room lighting in evenings but I've never tried it outside under street lighting.

Life12 · Apr 22, 2010

I heard about Sekonic L398 not that good for low lighting .. and Thanks perkeleellinen for the info been shared here..!! Will check this out.. L-208..!!

Thanks for sharing.. !!

.
.

Rolleiflexible · Apr 22, 2010

As I mentioned above, the L-398 does well in
low light, but its scale for lowlight readings is
compressed and that might lead some to worry
about its accuracy. I have not found those fears
to be justified.

To me, the choice between the L-208 and L-398
turns not on sensitivity, or size, but preferred
metering method. If you prefer reflected-light
metering, you should go for the L-208. If you
prefer incident-light metering, then you want the
L-398. Each will do the other, but awkwardly.
Match the meter to your work.

Recommendations for a small lightmeter

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