Small Spotmeter

[abruzzi]

If you are happy with three degrees, the Sekonic L-438 is interesting.

interesting. Looks more like a 110 camera.

I have a Minolta F and a Sekonic L-508--both great (and honestly, the L-508 is smaller than a Pentax I think.) When I need smaller and don't need 1 degree, I use the Sekonic L-408 which is a 5 degree and nice an compact.

 

[Alan9940]

Can anyone remember the name of the small spot meter that was introduced several years ago and made in small quantities for a relatively short period of time that was essentially carved out of a piece of metal?

Metered Light Pocket Spot?

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

How about your cellphone? Most people don;t pay attention to these.

 

[koraks]

I've never explored that street, but I assume that there are spot-metering software that allow you to set the spot angle?????

Undoubtedly there's an app somewhere that will allow you to set the spot size, too, somehow. But I don't think it's very common. I have used a light meter app for Android in a pinch when I had forgotten a proper one. Worked quite well. It's this one: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.willblaschko.android.lightmeterv2.free&hl=en

Interface looks like this:

You can drag the spot around on the screen and also pause the camera capture so the picture stands still. The spot size is more akin to what Canon calls "partial" metering; i.e. 10-15%. I prefer a 'real' meter, but in all honesty, if all I had was this app, I'd still get by.

 

[Chan Tran]

How about your cellphone? Most people don;t pay attention to these.

And holding up a cell phone don't look like you are shooting video???

 

[munz6869]

I have a metered light pocket spot, which took 7 years of emails to get from Metered Light (who have since retired and closed shop). It's a tiny beautiful marvel and I use it a lot. Splendidly simple and accurate. Not as light as Revenue's ingenious meter, but much quicker to work with (for me).

Marc!

 

[Alan Edward Klein]

And holding up a cell phone don't look like you are shooting video???

People don't pay too much attention to cell phones today. Holding up a phone to your chest for a couple of seconds to take a reading could look like you;re just checking your phone for messages.

 

[Mark J]

'course the Later Leica R's came with a free spot meter.... not a very narrow angle, but I found it very useful.

 

[MattKing]

Metered Light Pocket Spot?

I have a metered light pocket spot, which took 7 years of emails to get from Metered Light (who have since retired and closed shop). It's a tiny beautiful marvel and I use it a lot. Splendidly simple and accurate. Not as light as Revenue's ingenious meter, but much quicker to work with (for me).

Marc!

Thank you - that is the one I was thinking of!

 

[DREW WILEY]

One thing people seem to routinely forget is it that in order to get a flare-free spot reading, you need to properly shade a spot meter just like a camera lens. I bought collapsible rubber hoods for my Pentax spot meters. You'll have an even bigger issue with lesser meter lenses which are not as well coated as the Pentax.

I'm rather skeptical how accurate as cell phone app would be, for several reasons, including the foregoing.

As it is, I have a problem with tiny meters. I either have to carry around reading glasses, or dig a magnifying glass out of my pocket. And it's really hard to beat the intuitive manual dial on the Pentax spot meter. I much preferred it to the pushbutton method of the Minolta F, even though they read identically.

 

[Chan Tran]

One thing people seem to routinely forget is it that in order to get a flare-free spot reading, you need to properly shade a spot meter just like a camera lens. I bought collapsible rubber hoods for my Pentax spot meters. You'll have an even bigger issue with lesser meter lenses which are not as well coated as the Pentax.

I'm rather skeptical how accurate as cell phone app would be, for several reasons, including the foregoing.

As it is, I have a problem with tiny meters. I either have to carry around reading glasses, or dig a magnifying glass out of my pocket. And it's really hard to beat the intuitive manual dial on the Pentax spot meter. I much preferred it to the pushbutton method of the Minolta F, even though they read identically.

I am very skeptical about cell phone app because when they built a meter or even camera built in meter they have to calibrate them before they leave the factory to compensate for variation in manufacturing. With cell phone app the app devoloper can't calibrate to your specific phone. Even worse the apps are generally written for all IOS or Android phones and don't distinguish the model.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

The Reveni is pretty cool but it takes some getting used to using both eyes, and dealing with parallax, especially when up close to the subject. It's spot is closer to 5 degrees, rather than the 1.5 that they say it is. I tested it a while back, and stuck a video up on my youtube channel... If I were you, I'd just stick with your pentax, especially if it is the digital one.

 

[Mark J]

Or the Soligor ... which never gets a mention and is slightly lighter than the Pentax ...

 

[DREW WILEY]

The Soligor doesn't have the high-quality coatings a Pentax does. But yes, it should be included in the mix.

 

[Lohrentz]

I have a Reveni spotmeter that I'd like to sell. Just couldn't get on with it, but the size is amazing.

 

[Trask]

Thank you - that is the one I was thinking of!

I always wanted one, but never came across one for sale. Someday.....(viz Once Upon a Time In The West)