sekonic studio deluxe model l-398

[Marcus]

Hi,

I have just bought myself a Sekonic Studio Deluxe light meter, model L-398.

Can anyone tell me where I may obtain the instruction manual for this?, as I am not sure about a couple of things. Otherwise, I understand its functions!

Thanks,

Marcus

 

[wrench]

What would you like to know? I have the manual and would be happy to scan and post pages of it here. I would do the whole thing, but it's 34 pages, and I'm sure you wouldn't need the whole thing.
I will say, though, that the explanations of exposure are very confusing. The strength of this light meter is it's simplicity once you figure out just how to set and read the dial, and the manual really doesn't help that much for that. It's been a wonderful tool for me and I love that it doesn't need batteries. It's definitely a keeper, I hope it works well for you.

 

[Jerevan]

I've got one of these also, wonderful little thing. Here's a manual: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes_meters/sekonic_l-398/sekonic_l-398.htm

 

[Marcus]

Hi Wrench,

Thanks for replying. The things I don't understand yet are on the inner/central dial.

2 arrows, 1 red with letter 'H', the other white with letter 'L'.
Each has 'x1/2' on the right of the H/L, and 'x2' & 'x4' on the other side. What do these mean?

I can set film speed/ISO, and can press the central button to receive a light reading. Just which of the arrows do I use - red or white?

Marcus

 

[wrench]

The orange "H" and the white "L" stand for 'high' and 'low' respectively. Check on the back of the meter for a metal slide with some pinholes on it marked 'high'. In very bright light, you put this in the slot at the top of the meter to go in front of the cell. When this is in place you match up the orange arrow with the number indicated by the needle, and that's your reading. When the 'high' slide isn't in place, use the white arrow instead. I've found that I frequently use the high slide outdoors and remove it indoors.

The x1/2, x2, and x4 stand for half, double, and quadruple exposure. It saves a lot of brain power having them marked out for you.

 

[Marcus]

Thanks for that, it makes sense.

Question No.2 -

I have the 'High' insert in the back of my meter. (You have told about that one), but I have 3 others as well - 1, half dome/ball & white, 2 & 3, both flat, no2 is white (like no1), & no3 is black with larger holes that the 'High' insert.

Sorry to sound like an idiot, (I've never used one of these before!) but which is best to use on what occasion, other than what you have told me already.

Marcus

 

[Marcus]

Thanks Jerevan, will look at it v soon.

Marcus

 

[wrench]

The disk with the holes is for reflected light reading, and the two white ones are for ambient light. The flat one is for when you want the exposure for just one focal plane, and the round one is for the average illumination around a 3D object such as a person.

 

[Marcus]

Fantastic!!

Thanks Wench for all your help, much appreciated.

Marcus

 

[craigclu]

I still have mine from 1979...it still functions perfectly but hasn't been a primary meter for me for quite a few years. When I was using it as my only meter, I found the slide kit to be handy. I see them slip through eBay from time to time. They allow you to select from a numer of slides in the kit to get direct ƒ stop readings from your needle position. As I think about it now, I found the needle more intuitive than my current digital meters. The L-398 is currently with my college-student son for a semester in Trinidad. He says he's getting great results with some old Konica gear that I sent him with.

 

[wrench]

glad to be of service! I really love old gear like that light meter. It always amazes me how intuitive and well designed stuff like that is once you figure it out. I use the meter with the old 'C' lenses for my Hasselblad, and all I have to look at is the exposure index indicated by the meter, set the ring on the lens for that number, and then I can choose and combination of apertures and shutter speeds that I was without worrying about changing the exposure. It's fabulous. I guess it sounds a little complicated, but it feels totally streamlined to me, and I wouldn't want to work any other way. Enjoy your new meter, my guess is that you won't feel the need to replace it for a while.
Best, Laura