Recommendations for my first light meter

[canvassy]

I'm in the market for a light meter. I've never owned one before, so was hoping to get a few suggestions.

Most of my 35mm cameras have accurate light meters built in. My medium format Bronica ETRS and Yashicamat LM do not have working meters. I use off camera flash, so flash metering is necessary. ( I have been mostly using off-camera flash with digital, but want to start using it with analog cameras. ) If I'm able to average or calculate an exposure based on ambient and flash together that would be a major plus. My brain thinks in aperture priority, so aperture priority is a plus, but not a must, because my understanding is you can move up and down to get the aperture you'd like.

I am looking at the Minolta Auto Meter IV F, VF, and the Flash Meter VF. Also looking at the Sekonic lines but they are confusing as to which features are in which lines. I'm open to other brands and models as well.

I am currently selling some cameras to fund this purchase and not sure on the exact amount I will have, but it should be in the $150-200 ballpark.

Thanks!!

 

[macfred]

Good and attractive - simple to operate: Gossen Sixtomat flash for reflected, incident and continues light http://www.gossen-photo.de/pdf/ba_sixtoflash_gb.pdf

 

[mgb74]

I do like my Minolta IVf, but it is a bit large. And it uses common AA battery.

 

[baachitraka]

Gossen Digiflash

 

[markbarendt]

Sekonic L358

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Avoid the Sekonic L-308S (which I have) - it's accurate, but you'll take five readings of your face before you realize you need to turn the meter around... really poor ergonomics on that. It's also shutter-priority only.

The Gossen Lunasix 3 and Lunasix F have wonderful dials that show you all exposure combinations at a glance, plus niceties like Zone System values.

 

[MattKing]

Avoid the Sekonic L-308S (which I have) - it's accurate, but you'll take five readings of your face before you realize you need to turn the meter around

Perfect for those who love to shoot "selfies"

 

[canvassy]

Avoid the Sekonic L-308S (which I have) - it's accurate, but you'll take five readings of your face before you realize you need to turn the meter around... really poor ergonomics on that. It's also shutter-priority only.

The Gossen Lunasix 3 and Lunasix F have wonderful dials that show you all exposure combinations at a glance, plus niceties like Zone System values.

That's good to know, thanks. I've been eyeing that model, the price seems to have dropped since I last looked at them and new ones are in my price range.

 

[canvassy]

Good and attractive - simple to operate: Gossen Sixtomat flash for reflected, incident and continues light http://www.gossen-photo.de/pdf/ba_sixtoflash_gb.pdf

Gossen Digiflash

I will have to research these, thanks for the suggestions.

 

[canvassy]

I do like my Minolta IVf, but it is a bit large. And it uses common AA battery.

There's one in our local craigslist for $60 that I've been eyeing. It looks like it has everything I'd need, except it doesn't seem to have an analyze function and that might be handy to have. The price is great though.

Sekonic L358

There's an L358 local here for $180, which seems like a really good price based on ebay listings. That might be the best bang for my buck.

 

[markbarendt]

There's an L358 local here for $180, which seems like a really good price based on ebay listings. That might be the best bang for my buck.

I sure like it, enough to own two.

They seem to be selling on EBAY from 150 to 220 so even if you decided to do something different later you would probably be able to sell it at close to the same price you bought at.

 

[paul ron]

Luna pro SBC for low light, luna pro f for flash... both great value for the buck!

edited to please the forum police!

 

[Sirius Glass]

Luna pro SBC!

+1

It will work for very low light situations, let you correct for filters and let you use the Zone System should you choose to do so later one. They are not expensive and readily available.

 

[HiHoSilver]

This was my question a few mo. back. I got alot of recommendations for the Luna Pro SBC. I bought one from a member here for $60. Its way better as a meter than I am as a shooter. Sirius mentions its abilities in low light. He's VERY right. My first big workout w/ the SBC was a 100 y.o. church interior, no lights on a rainy day. (you'll see them a few pages on in the gallery). My SHORTEST exposure was 15s. Three were at 16 minutes. I didn't have a single frame fail for exposure. Its physically large, but really good. If I were to try another, it would likely be the Digiflash - mostly 'cause its smaller. FWIW - the input I got here was as true as it gets. I doubt you'd be unhappy w/ any of the recommendations.

 

[michaelorr]

I like my light meters with the same essential feature as my ham radios - an analog dial. Digital displays just do not have the visual recognition of up and down and how far apart the readings are, or zone values over or under the reading, that i take quickly to. The SBC Pro is a format that is intuitive at a glance with the center meter needle and the rotary dial - it makes the decisionmaking process almost second nature. I also use an old Weston IV and V, which i had re-calibrated by a Hollywood outfit. I also use an analog Pentax spotmeter. But more importantly the essential activity is to study carefully how to use the meter in both the reflected and incident readings, and understanding what that means to setting the exposure value. for me, the primer on incident light metering by markbarendt under the resources tab has led to terrific discovery for me, as has essential contributions by mark, bill burk and matt king in a recent thread here. I gather, from HiHo and other's comments in various discussions that the learning point cannot be over-stressed. Best to you on the journey and mostly, it should all be fun and rewarding. I certainly enjoy the process of exposing a negative and learning to command all the elements involved. ps - just one specific learning point takeway for me on how to do the incident metering: take a reading in the bright light area, and also in a shadow area, to get an idea of the subject brightness range you are working with, and how to select the appropriate exposure.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I like my light meters with the same essential feature as my ham radios - an analog dial.

I have amateur radios not ham radios. That aside, what level license do you have?

 

[Patrick Robert James]

I wish people would read before giving suggestions. The OP needs a flash meter so the SBC, while I think it is the greatest meter ever, is out.

Lots of good meters above. The Minolta IVf was a super workhorse back in the day. Can't go wrong with that one for $60. If I recall it has the ability to average an exposure. I could be wrong though since it has been a long time since I used one. The Sekonic 308 is small and flat if you want a pocket meter. But pretty much any meter made in the last decade or two that will read flash should be fine for you.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I wish people would read before giving suggestions. The OP needs a flash meter so the SBC, while I think it is the greatest meter ever, is out.

Lots of good meters above. The Minolta IVf was a super workhorse back in the day. Can't go wrong with that one for $60. If I recall it has the ability to average an exposure. I could be wrong though since it has been a long time since I used one. The Sekonic 308 is small and flat if you want a pocket meter. But pretty much any meter made in the last decade or two that will read flash should be fine for you.

The OP never mentioned his budget. For low budget, a Sekonic 308. For more money, go to the higher end of that brand. The 308 has its limitations, including low-light shutoff. As a flash meter, it is nominal as long as flash duration doesn't get too fast. I've found that it is quite blind to high-speed flash, and OK on full to half power.
But as a pocketable on-the-go general utility meter on a budget, it's a decent pick.

I have the Sekonic L-308S. Aside from learning to aim it the right way, it works well as an incident and as a reflective meter. I also like it because it can be used for EVs which works well with the Hasselblad. I have not used it as a flash meter so I have no input on that. I had to pay full fare for it because I needed to buy a light meter while I was on the road in Europe. I do not know the used prices. My only objection is that the only model available when I bought was some anniversary model that is bright green and I need to wear sunglasses when I use it because it is so bright.

 

[MattKing]

Okay then, a Luna-Pro F then.

You lose the extremely good low light performance of the SBC model though.

Alternatively, the SBC with the flash meter attachment works very well for incident flash readings. The combination is quite large though.

 

[Soeren]

Avoid the Sekonic L-308S (which I have) - it's accurate, but you'll take five readings of your face before you realize you need to turn the meter around... really poor ergonomics on that. It's also shutter-priority only.

The Gossen Lunasix 3 and Lunasix F have wonderful dials that show you all exposure combinations at a glance, plus niceties like Zone System values.

Ive got a Gossen 308, a b I think. I like it and have never been in doubt how to use it. I honestly don't see a problem there.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Ive got a Gossen 308, a b I think. I like it and have never been in doubt how to use it. I honestly don't see a problem there.

You mean a Sekonic 308 (not Gossen)? I'm not in doubt how to use it - I just think it's a poor design for ease of use. I don't like flipping it around to make and view a reading and I don't like its lack of aperture priority.

 

[Soeren]

Whoops youre correct.
To me it's no problem. I point the dome toward the camera position and take the reading. If the shutterspeed or aperture is not to my liking i click the up or down button till it is. In many ways like I use the minolta spotmeter. I find the Sekonic L-308 to be a simple straightforward meter to use. It has most of the funktions i need and is easy to navigate through and the position of the metering cell allows me to take the reading without having to turn around if I choose to meter from camera position, just hold out my hand, flipping around hmm well never found that to be a hazle. Ofcourse YMMV and there is no single instrument that is perfect for all.

 

[michaelorr]

I have amateur radios not ham radios. That aside, what level license do you have?

Sirius, i have Extra Class from the 80's. Haven't been on the air for some time, though. Hoping to jump back on.

 

[michaelorr]

I wish people would read before giving suggestions. The OP needs a flash meter so the SBC, while I think it is the greatest meter ever, is out.

Good point - my bad for getting carried away. Apologies to OP and responders on the right track.

 

[paul ron]

i made the same mistake, the luna pro f for flash... the sbc conversation was for low light situations following that thought line.