Sekonic L-208 vs. L-398A

Ektagraphic · Aug 4, 2010

Hello Guys- My Sekonic L-208 was dunked under water so it's time for a new meter. I was looking to get another L-208 but was wondering if there would be a reason to go with the L-398A over the L-208. I like the selenium idea but is it accurate compared to a battery powered meter in low light situations?

Thanks

Patrick

benjiboy · Aug 4, 2010

I would recommend you look at the Sekonic L 308S because it has a silicon cell runs off 1 AA battery you can buy anywhere not an exotic Lithium one, is a flash meter and will read light in tenths of a stop from EV 0-19.9 and it costs about the same as the L-398A

Jeff Searust · Aug 4, 2010

I am going to second the vote for the L-308. I had one and it got washed by the wife after I left it in my pocket (but that's another story). I loved it. It was my first meter that had a battery. It is one of the easiest meters to use, it's a good price, and other than a complete dunking its fairly rain resistant.-- I have since moved up to a Sekonic spot meter.

Kevin Kehler · Aug 4, 2010

I use a 398 and love the fact that it never needs a battery. However, since it gets its' energy front ambient light, it is not very good for low-light or night shooting. I have used it in some pretty deep shadows but it is not designed for night.

perkeleellinen · Aug 4, 2010

I used to use the L398 (Studio Deluxe) and now use the L208. In terms of accuracy, I think there's no practical difference. Perhaps if you have some machinery to measure an aspect of your negatives, you may find a difference, but I see no difference in my prints. The L208 can meter in slightly lower light (EV3) compared to the L398 (EV4). Possibly an important feature for you, but not for me. The L398 feels better in the hand, heavier, better built, really solid. It also has a handy rotating metering sphere so you can read the dial at the same time as metering. The L208 falls down in all these respects, but the clincher for me is the small size and weight. It can fit in a pocket easily and hardly weighs a thing. That is the most important aspect for me.

Ektagraphic · Aug 4, 2010

I like having an analog meter though. I could go with the L-308 but I love to see everything printed out insdead of on the digital screen.

jp498 · Aug 4, 2010

I've got the 208 and a minolta flashmeter V.

208 is light, small, the long lasting lithium button cell is the most popular there is and can be bought at any walmart, stolen from dead computers and most illuminated junk toys from china. The flash shoe attachment is junk, but it is very easy to wear around the neck or put in your pocket. Its fashionably accompanies a TLR or press 4x5 anyday.

The flashmeterV works in super low light, fires and measures flash illumination, can average multiple readings, digital backlit display, etc.. It runs for years on a single AA. If money were no object, I would get a flashmeterVI to gain easy spotmetering. The V is big enough to not easily go into pockets, meaning you pretty much wear it around your neck. With it's buttons and LCD it's more professional looking than a 208 which is sort of quaint and classy. It comes with a nice padded case for transport/storage/protection.

phaedrus · Aug 4, 2010

The L398 Studio Deluxe is an incident light meter mostly, the reflected light metering mode feels like a kludge added on. If incident metering is your cup of tea, it is, if it isn't, not. The low-light capabilities are there and not terrible, but you're on your own at night. And, of course, you can kiss the Zone System good-bye, no spot metering. I use the L398 Studio Deluxe for street photography to calibrate my eyeball once in a while.

macrorie · Aug 13, 2010

I have both L-208 and L-308B Sekonics, and I like them both for different uses. The L-308B is not ergonomically great for reflected light readings, but fine for incident because of the orientation of the sensor. The L-208 you know all about anyway, but I don't think it is as precise in it's readings as a larger meter because of the size of the sensor aperture and the simplicity and small size of the ISO scale. I would not get a selenium meter at this point, even a good Sekonic one, because of its sensitivity. It can also be handy to be able meter flash as well as ambient light.

benjiboy · Aug 15, 2010

Ektagraphic said:
Hello Guys- My Sekonic L-208 was dunked under water so it's time for a new meter. I was looking to get another L-208 but was wondering if there would be a reason to go with the L-398A over the L-208. I like the selenium idea but is it accurate compared to a battery powered meter in low light situations?

Thanks

Patrick

I don't know if it's an error but according to the spec. on the Sekonic website the L-398A uses a SR44 or G13 battery http://www.sekonic.co.uk/Products/L-398A/Information.htm.

Ulrich Drolshagen · Aug 15, 2010

macrorie said:
I have both L-208 and L-308B Sekonics, and I like them both for different uses. The L-308B is not ergonomically great for reflected light readings, but fine for incident because of the orientation of the sensor. The L-208 you know all about anyway, but I don't think it is as precise in it's readings as a larger meter because of the size of the sensor aperture and the simplicity and small size of the ISO scale. I would not get a selenium meter at this point, even a good Sekonic one, because of its sensitivity. It can also be handy to be able meter flash as well as ambient light.

Cite from that URL:
'It now incorporates an amorphous photosensor eliminating the need for batteries.'
I have one of those. It really does not need a battery
Ulrich

2F/2F · Aug 15, 2010

I'd try to open up your 208 and dry/clean it before you move on to a new meter. It may be fine. My '50s Brockway Norwood Director (an early version of the modern 398 that looks identical sans the details of the nameplate and dial) has been under water or very wet many times. All I have to do is open it up and dry it off each time and it works fine.

The 208 may not be so forgiving...but it is worth a shot.

Ektagraphic · Aug 15, 2010

It's a great thought 2F/2F but I tried that to a degree. It really just doesn't work at all. The battery virtually exploded inside when it hit the water.

Sekonic L-208 vs. L-398A

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