Small digital meter?

abruzzi · Jan 29, 2020

I’m looking for a second meter for travel. My current meter is a Sekonic L-508. It a nice meter, but it is a little on the large side, and I don’t feel terribly safe traveling with the rotating meter head that feels like it could break if I look at it wrong. (I’m sure it’s not bad, but the rotating is useless to me, and seems like it makes it potentially weaker.

I’m only looking for incident measurements, and would prefer a digital readout that can function in both aperture or shutter priority. I need it to be relatively inexpensive, and I definitely don’t want to use a phone.

New, it looks like my options are basically a Sekonic L-308X-U or a Gossen Sixtomat F2. If you’ve used either of these, I’d love to hear feedback on their use, durability, accuracy, etc.

on the used market, I know there are previous/alternate versions of both these meters, but I’m not sure what else might satisfy my above needs, so I’d welcome suggestions.

DWThomas · Jan 29, 2020

My small meter is a Gossen Digisix. It does reflected readings, and incident via a sliding hemisphere. The meter is set for ISO and it reads an EV. There is a curved scale of f-stops. It is matched to a movable ring that you set to the EV to allow seeing more or less all f-stop/shutter-speed combinations. I suppose that step is less handy than some alternatives, but it works well for me. The pricing seems more than it needs to be -- but hey, this is a hobby!

I have the original version, they are now at the Digisix-II (last I noticed) and I don't know what may be different about the -II. What I hope is different is the battery life, as the single CR2032 cells seem to give up the ghost rather easily, even when the meter is not in use. (Since my use is pretty infrequent, I usually remove the battery when storing it (but that loses your ISO setting unless you're shooting 100).

I also have a Sekonic L-508 which is pretty awesome, and seems pretty rugged. But yes, it's difficult to hide or tuck in your shirt pocket!

(And no, I am not a giant!)

wiltw · Jan 29, 2020

Gotta a smartphone? If so, there's an app.

abruzzi · Jan 30, 2020

As I said, I definitely DON’T want to use a phone. Anyway, I want a incident meter, which the phone can’t do unless you buy some device that plugs into it and makes it even more of a pain in the ass to use.

RalphLambrecht · Jan 30, 2020

DWThomas said:
My small meter is a Gossen Digisix. It does reflected readings, and incident via a sliding hemisphere. The meter is set for ISO and it reads an EV. There is a curved scale of f-stops. It is matched to a movable ring that you set to the EV to allow seeing more or less all f-stop/shutter-speed combinations. I suppose that step is less handy than some alternatives, but it works well for me. The pricing seems more than it needs to be -- but hey, this is a hobby!

I have the original version, they are now at the Digisix-II (last I noticed) and I don't know what may be different about the -II. What I hope is different is the battery life, as the single CR2032 cells seem to give up the ghost rather easily, even when the meter is not in use. (Since my use is pretty infrequent, I usually remove the battery when storing it (but that loses your ISO setting unless you're shooting 100).

I also have a Sekonic L-508 which is pretty awesome, and seems pretty rugged. But yes, it's difficult to hide or tuck in your shirt pocket!

(And no, I am not a giant!)

I can 2nd the Gossen Digisix!

abruzzi · Jan 30, 2020

DWThomas said:
My small meter is a Gossen Digisix.

thanks for the suggestion. I saw that one on B&Hs site, and it is definitely small. I guess what I don’t like is it has the extra step of dialing the EV from he meter reading to the analog computer. I’ve never liked those line-it-up designs—I hate SLRs with match needle meters for instance. I don’t know why, everyone else seems fine with them, but I really want a digital display that tells me a shutter speed or f number. Also, it’s not that much cheaper than the Sixtomat.

Right now I’m leaning towards the Sixtomat. I’ve never used anything by Gossen, I’ve always used Sekonic meters, but I’ve heard nothing but positive about Gossen, so it seems like a good idea.

JBrunner · Jan 30, 2020

I lit an entire movie using primarily a digisix. I third the recce. Of course if you hate it, I’ll use my moderator superpowers and delete my own reply and deny everything.

reddesert · Jan 30, 2020

I have a Gossen Luna Pro Digital F, which is the predecessor of the Sixtomat F2 - they look almost the same, the Sixtomat F2 may add a memory feature. It isn't teeny-weeny, but is shirt-pocket size. I've had it for twenty years, and it works well. Some people don't love the digital, fractional f-stop type reading, but it's easy to use - you have one pair of buttons to switch modes and another pair to shift the f-stop-shutter combination up and down. That's a matter of taste. It uses 1 AA battery which is extremely convenient.

ITD · Jan 30, 2020

I've had a couple of different versions of the L308 and found them to be pretty durable and certainly accurate enough for my purposes. It fits my hand and pocket well, I found smaller meters to be a bit fiddly in comparison. I believe only the newer ones have aperture priority - my one certainly doesn’t so that might direct you away from used models. I'm considering an upgrade too for that reason.

Steve Goldstein · Jan 30, 2020

I use a Sekonic L-408 when I don't need a 1-degree spot or when I want incident readings. I think it's a bit larger the the 308 family. It's a 5-degree spot for reflected readings and has two incident settings.

Besk · Jan 30, 2020

I have a Digisix - but haven't been able to use it. After a few hours the batteries are dead. Trips to the importer didn't do a thing.
The Gossen Luna Pro is great and not too large.
I am impressed with the cell phone app that I just downloaded. For incident light just carry a 18% grey card and focus on that.

guangong · Jan 30, 2020

Over the years I have accumulated a bunch of meters from several Weston including Ranger 9, Sekonix selenium, Pentax and Gossen from small selenium to Luna Pro and Luna Pro F, but my " always carry with me" meter is the small almost weightless Digisix.
And yes, for cameras with on board meters I prefer match needle. I hate LEDs. Match needle much faster. My suspicion is that all digital displays are a lot cheaper to manufacture.
Almost forgot! The OP may prefer the little Voigtlander meter that sits on accessory shoe sold by CameraQuest. I have one, but again those damned LEDs.

osella · Jan 30, 2020

reddesert said:
I have a Gossen Luna Pro Digital F, which is the predecessor of the Sixtomat F2 - they look almost the same, the Sixtomat F2 may add a memory feature. It isn't teeny-weeny, but is shirt-pocket size. I've had it for twenty years, and it works well. Some people don't love the digital, fractional f-stop type reading, but it's easy to use - you have one pair of buttons to switch modes and another pair to shift the f-stop-shutter combination up and down. That's a matter of taste. It uses 1 AA battery which is extremely convenient.

I’ll second the Luna Pro Digital F. It’s very easy to use and I cant say it’s given me a bad exposure. The prices are very reasonable used and it will fit in any pocket I have.

tezzasmall · Jan 30, 2020

ITD said:
I've had a couple of different versions of the L308 and found them to be pretty durable and certainly accurate enough for my purposes. It fits my hand and pocket well, I found smaller meters to be a bit fiddly in comparison.

I too have had a 308 for DECADES and it's metering has always been spot on! Incident and flash are covered and the read out is easy to see. A great meter, that I would replace with the same without question, if it ever goes wrong or dies on me.

Terry S

MattKing · Jan 30, 2020

Bob Eskridge said:
I have a Digisix - but haven't been able to use it. After a few hours the batteries are dead.

I keep mine in a padded sleeve that prevents inadvertent activation by preventing accidental contact with the meter's button. I've added a pocket to the sleeve to hold a backup battery. When in use, I transfer the meter to a handy pocket.
And I buy the batteries at the dollar store - 3 for $1.50 CDN usually.
The battery now lasts for weeks (or more).

removedacct3 · Jan 30, 2020

My vote would by the Gossen Digisix (or Digiflash) 2. In any case, whatever you decide, do not buy a Sekonic L-208 TwinMate. It is a piece of junk even after being calibrated by Sekonic.

DWThomas · Jan 30, 2020

MattKing said:
I keep mine in a padded sleeve that prevents inadvertent activation by preventing accidental contact with the meter's button.

Yes, the original leather pouch seems rather tight to me to begin with. I have contemplated gluing some sort of plastic ring around the buttons to make accidental activation less likely, but haven't gotten a round tuit yet. A year or so back I made one unsuccessful attempt to measure the current draw off the coin cell, something else I'm curious about. If it's a microamp or two, it should go a long time -- if it's a milliamp or two, that could explain a lot. I have some bicycle computers and wireless cadence sensors that run for as much as a year on one of those cells, so I guess I expect better. As I alluded to upthread, I wonder if the version two might consume less power. With all the smart watches and such that are popular today there appears to be some advances in very low power portable device technology.

ITD · Jan 30, 2020

MrclSchprs said:
My vote would by the Gossen Digisix (or Digiflash) 2. In any case, whatever you decide, do not buy a Sekonic L-208 TwinMate. It is a piece of junk even after being calibrated by Sekonic.

We agree on that!

Luckless · Jan 30, 2020

abruzzi said:
thanks for the suggestion. I saw that one on B&Hs site, and it is definitely small. I guess what I don’t like is it has the extra step of dialing the EV from he meter reading to the analog computer. I’ve never liked those line-it-up designs—

Maybe see if anyone near you has one of Gossen's small meters with the time/aperture dials, and wants to meet up for coffee to be sure the model doesn't work for you? It is a lovely little meter, and it would be a shame to pass over completely before getting some hands on use to be sure you aren't a fan.

Setting the dial is semi-optional to be honest. I typically still use it, but even with my rather intermittent photography I've gotten to the point that I could set my camera based on the EV reading alone. It is after all, not an excessively complex scale to remember.

But I do really like having all my shutter speeds and aperture combinations lined up directly in front of me. No need to decide before hand if I want to meter in shutter or aperture priority, and all the details are right in front of me. The meter fits really well in my hand, and adjusting the dial up/down a few clicks quickly became second nature.

All that said, if someone has suggestions for a similar sized recent model from another line, I would love to hear about it. Anything else I've seen has been far larger and clunkier.

DWThomas said:
I have contemplated gluing some sort of plastic ring around the buttons to make accidental activation less likely, but haven't gotten a round tuit yet.

My digiflash 2 seems to have a reasonable lifespan if I take steps to avoid abusing the poor thing. Have been debating if I want to just add some epoxy lumps to help avoid the buttons getting pressed when it put it in a bag or pocket, or building some kind of sliding cover that fits over them.

But I've since bought a package of 100 button cells for it, and have spares in pretty much every bag I own now, 'just in case'.

My only two complaints about that meter are the dodgy power usage thing, and cycling one way through menus.

If they release a mk3 with back buttons and a power/safety switch, I'll buy one for sure.

abruzzi · Jan 30, 2020

thanks for the feedback. Its not that I'm trying to discount the input of people who suggested meter that don't work the way I asked, Its just that I do know my preference.

I really prefer a straight digital readout. I've owned digital meters (like my L-508) and analog meters (like the Sekonic L-28C), and for my particular use, I know I don't like seeing all the options displayed on a ring. I couldn't tell you why it is, but a clear f-number and shutter speed (and optionally a +/- from that exact number) and my brain takes care of calculating the equivalent exposures.

With the L-508, I can set a shutter speed, say 1/250. When I take a reading it might say ƒ5.6 (6) which means it is 6/10 of the way darker than ƒ5.6, so if I'm using a camera with halfstops, I'll select ƒ6.7, or maybe I set it for 1/500 and ƒ4.8 or 1/125 and ƒ9.5. Doing this adjustment in my head is MUCH easier than looking at two rings of numbers that aren't always easy to see if they are actually lined up, or offset, one way or another. Maybe I have better numeracy than spatial acuity.

It looks like my choices are the two I mentioned or maybe a used Luna Pro Digital F.

macfred · Jan 30, 2020

My meter for everyday use - reliable; relatively small and not so pricey. Batttery (1x AA) lasts for ever.

https://gossen-photo.de/wp-content/uploads/DL/FOTO/AG/ba_sixtoflash_d.pdf

BradS · Jan 30, 2020

I too prefer the Gossen LunPro digital. It fits in the shirt pocket, will measure both incident and reflected, has several modes (aperture priority, shutter priority, EV,, etc...) and uses just one AA battery.

baachitraka · Jan 30, 2020

Digisix - my only meter.

Happy to get values in EV so I can transfer easily to Rolleicord Va.

EV 15 is sunny 16 and from there it's also easy for other cameras.

Trask · Jan 30, 2020

I have a couple of incident metes, but usually reach for my Polaris SPD100 — see attached photo, it’s the one on the left (the other is a revised model with on-demand luminescence). While my Gossen meter has a slide-able dome, it is located on the “top” of the meter, whereas the Polaris (and others like it) have the dome on the front. The means that when you are facing your subject, you can meter by holding the Polaris up in front of you and meter the light that’s coming from behind you, hitting your back, your meter, and your subject. With a Gossen, you’d have to turn around to face the light source, meter (which may include having to then center a needle or adjust to illuminate a central LED), then turn again to face the subject. I find the ergonomics of the Polaris preferable. There is also a reflected attachment available; I have one but never use it. It may be that these Polaris meters are no longer made new, but they’re available on the used market. I’ve used one for years, with satisfactory results.

Kodachromeguy · Jan 30, 2020

You wrote you wanted a small meter. How about going the opposite direction, a behemoth so large, it will fill one of the compartments of your camera bag? This is the Luna Pro SBC with the Luna Sphere attachment. I can't tell if the Luna Sphere provides better readings than the built-in small sphere. This is my most sensitive meter for low light. But most of the time, I use a much more compact Luna Pro Digital, which may be 20 years old.

Small digital meter?

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