Sekonic DTS software for light meters (L-758 etc.)

[Hassasin]

Not sure which forum this belongs to, please move if another is more appropriate.

Was considering Sekonic L-758 meter, which has been out of production by a mile now. Ability to calibrate meter for different films / digital cameras did get me intrigued. However, I am surprised, judging by Sekonic's own website, they dropped developing support for data transfer software, and latest version available will only run on MacOs 10 and Intel chip, nothing beyond that.

Has anyone had a solution or luck, running it on Sonoma and Apple chip? Or is there another solution ? Seems dumb to have a product (no matter how old, but the much younger L858 uses same software) and as simple as a data transfer feature is no longer being updated.

 

[madNbad]

This is a common problem across any number of products. Apple continually updates it's OS, mostly to streamline integration for their own products. Products that do offer software or firmware updates are mostly based on the user having a computer running Windows. With many more computers using Windows and the much longer span between major updates, it's easier to design an update for that system.

 

[Hassasin]

This is a common problem across any number of products. Apple continually updates it's OS, mostly to streamline integration for their own products. Products that do offer software or firmware updates are mostly based on the user having a computer running Windows. With many more computers using Windows and the much longer span between major updates, it's easier to design an update for that system.

For the most part I agree. But:

If Sekonic stopped at MacOs 10.x it is Sekonic's problem, a serious one to me, not Apple's. I would say this even if product in question is long out of production. I am not sure how much DTS would have to be invested in to keep up with system updates, maybe not financially viable option for Sekonic.

While I suppose DTS will run on Windows 11, Sekonic states nothing about it, only up to W8. They could get their a***se off a chair and at least officially tell users all is fine, or not, on any late Windows version (whichever is true). And some might say, it's free download try it yourself. I can.

All I can see is one sole reason to go with L-758 (vs. say L-608) is for that calibration feature. Sure, 758 has more over 608 (or 558) but that would be for those who would just keep a legacy system for that purpose alone.

 

[Hassasin]

Have also just noticed the L-858 is still current product. Yet same DTS to be used. It's either their website is not completely up to date, or they really dropped the idea of supporting it. What's the point ?

 

[MattKing]

Have also just noticed the L-858 is still current product. Yet same DTS to be used. It's either their website is not completely up to date, or they really dropped the idea of supporting it. What's the point ?

Have you enquired with Sekonic or their distributor?

 

[Hassasin]

@MattKing No, but I would expect Sekonic to have website up to date though. Some poking around the net suggest this is what they have, no further updates.

I've been on Minolta meters for the last 3 decades and have no complaints. Only this calibration feature got me thinking about 758. L-858 is definitely not for me, I have enough touchscreens already, even if still same problem (apparently) regarding DTS..

 

[MattKing]

In my experience with things like this, where there are new/current products available in the marketplace, support for legacy products and legacy operating systems is often "contact us for your specialized query" based - or left to forums and user communities.

 

[Hassasin]

In my experience with things like this, where there are new/current products available in the marketplace, support for legacy products and legacy operating systems is often "contact us for your specialized query" based - or left to forums and user communities.

Except current meter L-858 uses same DTS. I will write to Sekonic just to see if I even get an answer, as this is one of the things that keeps popping up on their support - none to near none response.

 

[Hassasin]

I'm confident Sekonic lives in an alternate universe when it comes to supporting customers, current or future. Have waited long enough to a simple & multiple inquiry into their clearly outdated DTS software, not a single sign of life at the other end. Meters may work OK, but when you outsource support to a deaf line, that's were it ends for me. In the mean time I even started looking at the L-858 as it can be had at very similar to L-758 price point, but that research did not end well either. All in all, every comment I've seen about Sekonic's worthless support seems to hold a lot of water.

Bought Kenko's KFM-2200 to end my search for an all in one when I need it. Yet to see it, but I always liked what Minolta had in its meters, and this is just a small but apparently positive upgrade to the Flash Meter VI (one I never had).