Sekonic 758D suppliers

[Henry Alive]

I hope this question fits this forum. I am looking for a Sekonic 758D, as I think it could be the best meter for Zone System. When you look at ebay for a second hand one, you can find a big supply from companies from Honk Kong at very good prices. Additionally, they seem to be “New”. My question is: Do you trust them? Have you had some experience with these companies? Thanks for your comments,
Henry.

 

[CGW]

No idea where you are but the 758D wasn't generally offered in all markets--and likely never on the N. American market thru Sekonic's dealer channel. It lacks the trigger module of the pricier DR and that's where the fun starts. Nothing wrong with reputable HK dealers aside from warranty coverage and frequency calibration for the Pocket Wizard trigger module: nearly all are CE frequencies--not FCC--which means your Pocket Wizards and trigger module must match to work. Some claim they can be adjusted but the meters come CE or FCC specified--a concern if you have studio work in your future.

I looked hard at these late last year and decided to go for the almost identical but earlier 558--usually available used in nice shape for around $300+. The even earlier 508 is cheaper and more common but lacks a readout inside the spotmeter--something the 558 and 608 have. Unless you need the extensive calibration options of the 758D+DR, these earlier meters might be just what you need. Their 1 degree spot meters are accurate and well-integrated into the overall design.

 

[Henry Alive]

Hi CGW:
You could be right, as I do not need more than a L558 meter. However, all of them are in ebay as second hand, and the L758 from Hong Kong are sold as “New”, and the price is very similar to the first one. The point is to be sure that these L758 from Hong Kong are really Sekonic and new.
Thanks,
Henry.

 

[munz6869]

Hi Henry, I bought an L758D from a Honk Kong ebay dealer earlier in the year, and it's been fine - took it overseas with my Wista last month, and it was invaluable. Every exposure (that wasn't ruined for other operator-error reasons!!) was a perfect exposure. I did end up ordering a trigger module, but Australia uses the CE frequencies...

Marc!

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Like Marc's (above), my L758D also came from eBay 3 years ago, new, saving me about AUD$360.00 more at retail.

Availability of Sekonic meters varies considerably with markets e.g. southern hemisphere vs northern hemisphere, and eBay should be checked respectively for what's available. Mine came to me (in Australia) from DigitalRev Hong Kong, which has a very big and long-established reputation. There are others in Hong Kong and trust can only be assessed by 'having a go', purchasing something or looking at feedback.

 

[CGW]

Hi CGW:
You could be right, as I do not need more than a L558 meter. However, all of them are in ebay as second hand, and the L758 from Hong Kong are sold as “New”, and the price is very similar to the first one. The point is to be sure that these L758 from Hong Kong are really Sekonic and new.
Thanks,
Henry.

As mentioned below, there are perfectly reputable HK dealers. Your only real concern would be warranty coverage since these are gray market items that Sekonic USA, UK, etc probably wouldn't service.

 

[Henry Alive]

Thank you very much to all of you. It seems I can trust this suppliers.
Henry.

 

[benjiboy]

Hi CGW:
You could be right, as I do not need more than a L558 meter. However, all of them are in ebay as second hand, and the L758 from Hong Kong are sold as “New”, and the price is very similar to the first one. The point is to be sure that these L758 from Hong Kong are really Sekonic and new.
Thanks,
Henry.

The L-558 is no longer manufactured and not listed by Sekonic on their website. One thing to beware of if you buy from H.K not only do you get no warranty, but the official importers in your country have a record on their computers of the serial numbers of all the meters they have imported, and probably won't service it even if you pay them.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

If something goes wrong with your meter purchased from HK (under HK-local warranty), return it to HK for warranty by the store from which you bought it, it's that straightforward. It's not as if HK dealers are illicitly dealing with Sekonic et al. They are reputable, well run and well-sourced. Service if required is simple. In any case, scant few people would sniff out Sekonic's specific distributor for warranty or out of warranty service (as a professional I have had a gut-full of slow, incompetent distributors and dealers): it is a no-brainer to chase after the locals charged with looking after brands. Try this for out-of-warranty/ad hoc service: any pro-level camera dealer will recalibrate or repair a meter (among myriad other tasks) irrespective of who's name is on it or how parochial they are.

 

[andrewkirkby]

I found www.robertwhite.co.uk the best priced.

I saved 50% by buying my Gossen from them, and about 60% on my Sekonic (compared to Australian retail prices)

 

[benjiboy]

I found www.robertwhite.co.uk the best priced.

I saved 50% by buying my Gossen from them, and about 60% on my Sekonic (compared to Australian retail prices)

Robert White is a very good and reputable company, Was that before or after you paid Australian customs duty ?

 

[andrewkirkby]

Robert White is a very good and reputable company, Was that before or after you paid Australian customs duty ?

Customs duty is only payable on goods over the value of $1000 AUD on date of arrival.

 

[benjiboy]

Customs duty is only payable on goods over the value of $1000 AUD on date of arrival.

Thanks Robert, I didn't know that, that's very good You did very well, I know that in Australia and New Zealand photographic equipment is very expensive.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Thanks Robert, I didn't know that, that's very good You did very well, I know that in Australia and New Zealand photographic equipment is very expensive.

It is? It only has 10% GST on it, where once there were two tiers of tax levelled, 22% and 32%. So for us oldies "looking back when", it's better now than it once was. And inflation is still low. And houses are not affordable any more. How's that for equality?

Many photographers are caught out, badly, when freight/insurance pushes the total above AUD$1,000 (after exchange) and Customs swoops. Yes, Customs takes careful note of freight charges: $20 over and you're snagged. Snix.

 

[nick mulder]

Yup, I second going with the Honk (sic) Kong suppliers - never had an issue with ebay out of there after maybe 5 transactions with different sellers

 

[andrewkirkby]

Poisson du Jour:

Indeed, it is the Landed cost of the item.

Also, exchanges rates are a problem.

If it cost you $994 but arrives two weeks later and the value is now effectively $1003, you pay 10%

The best part about buying from the UK is the very reasonable shipping.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

$900+ is a trifle steep, sir. My L758D was bought for $450.00, meeting up with the eBay seller at Crown in Sin City (shadowed by two suited henchmen in dark glasses). Didn't speak a word of English and not a word needed to be exchanged subsequently.

I've since bought numerous other trinkets from that seller with nary a neg. word.

 

[andrewkirkby]

I was using those prices as a general example, not as prices for the meter.

I think I bought mine for about 310 pounds.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

I was using those prices as a general example, not as prices for the meter.

I think I bought mine for about 310 pounds.

Wot's that in kilograms?

 

[benjiboy]

Wot's that in kilograms?

$541 AUD

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Andrew, are you going to stock goodies e.g. meters, additional to film and specific supplies?

 

[andrewkirkby]

I think the initial investment is too high to stock meters. The buy price from the Australian distributor is higher than the online prices from overseas retailers. I will be stocking darkroom equipment. Thermometers, dev tanks, measuring cylinders etc.