Sekonic l-358 Lightmeter Question

[benjiboy]

I've calculated it and they're about the same price, so I might end up going with the 758.

For me Robert after a lifetime of using meters that take general reflected light readings ( Western Euromaster , Gossen Profisix, Lunapro SBC ) I would miss the ability to take a genaral reflected reading which the 758 can't do, only spot and incidental.

 

[Chan Tran]

If you're interested mainly in spot metering then getting the meter with builtin spot is better than using an attachment as most of the spot attachment could suffer from parallax.

 

[benjiboy]

If you're interested mainly in spot metering then getting the meter with builtin spot is better than using an attachment as most of the spot attachment could suffer from parallax.

Not in this case Chan, all the Sekonic spot attachments for the L-358 I,5, and 10 degree have the prefix N.P. meaning none parallax.

 

[robertmgray]

Okay, well now I'm thinking of buying a L-508 which is a little cheaper and still has more than I need.

 

[benjiboy]

I don't think they still make the L-508 Robert , It would have to be second hand, It's not listed as a product on the Sekonic website or on the importers price list.

 

[robertmgray]

Yeah, I'm looking at used *mint (supposedly) condition light meters. What are your thoughts toward that? Does it seem kind of risky buying the only electronic component of my 4x5 system in used condition? I don't mind dings, scrapes, paint on buttons wearing off, as long as it's working. Do meters usually maintain their durability for a long period of time?

 

[Martin Aislabie]

Do meters usually maintain their durability for a long period of time?

Yes, solid state meters (ones without dials, whetstone bridges and needles) are highly consistent

Solid State Meters tend to suffer from two sorts of failure:-

Cataclysmic events such as being dropped (repeatedly) or accidentally left out in the rain

or

Battery corrosion affecting either the terminals or wires

Of course almost all electronic devices are susceptible to Coca Cola and Sea Water.

Personally, I carry at least two meters with me, a Spot Meter and an Incident Meter, which have different strengths and weaknesses but give some level of back-up should anything go wrong with the other

With a 5x4 kit you will not be travelling light in any case

Martin

 

[robertmgray]

Thanks Martin, that helps me feel at ease when bidding on the meter I'm watching right now. It looks like it's in great condition, just didn't know if they were known for failures without such cataclysmic events.

 

[Galah]

Do meters usually maintain their durability for a long period of time?

I have a Weston-Master V from new in c1959 which still works perfectly: 50 years and still going strong.

I also have an even older Weston-Master II (bought second-hand) which is also in perfect working order.

Is that long enough?

 

[robertmgray]

Wow! 50 years is one hell of a run. I'm clumsy though, I'll settle for a 10 year run with (soon to be) mine before I spill some tea on it or something.

 

[Poisson Du Jour]

Yeah, I'm looking at used *mint (supposedly) condition light meters. What are your thoughts toward that? Does it seem kind of risky buying the only electronic component of my 4x5 system in used condition? I don't mind dings, scrapes, paint on buttons wearing off, as long as it's working. Do meters usually maintain their durability for a long period of time?

One thing that is a risk is whether the previous owner has left the lightmeter in hot sun, say in the car. There are many theories about the affect of prolonged sun striking the lumisphere and weakening the sensor, or even distorting the lumisphere. Whether these theories are true or false won't put you any more at ease buying second hand than if you were to loan a friend's a rely on that. Last Monday the second hand pro dealer I regularly visit had 4 meters lined up in the window in hot sun, only one of which described as "mint" (A Minolta-something) in a box.

Most of the Sekonic meters are very water resistant indeed, particularly the battery compartment (has a silicone rubber seal). My L758D has been through rain, snow, ice (to —4°c recently) and heat, this last condition one that I am more cautious of.

Benjiboy For me Robert after a lifetime of using meters that take general reflected light readings ( Western Euromaster , Gossen Profisix, Lunapro SBC ) I would miss the ability to take a genaral reflected reading which the 758 can't do, only spot and incidental.

What? The L758/758D will take incident, reflected/reflected average/mid-tone and shift, reflected spot (1°), reflected multi-spot/Average/mid-tone. If it did not have the capacity for "general reflected reading" it would be useless.

 

[Chan Tran]

by general reflected reading I think Benjiboy meant a 30-40 degree reflected light meter like that of the 358.

 

[benjiboy]

I meant the 52 degree general reflected light reading that the Lumigrid gives on the L-358, I didn't write" a meter would be useless without this facility", only that "I would miss it".

 

[robertmgray]

I just won an ebay auction for an excellent condition Sekonic l-608! So by next week I should be learning exposure techniques instead of just googling specs. I'm excited!

 

[benjiboy]

Congratulations Robert, we're expecting great things from you now.