What flash meter for an semi-old fart?

[JBrunner]

I did, I got the Sekonic L758DR, and learned how to not screw up with a combi.

 

[Martin Aislabie]

Jason, how do you come on with it for ease of use.

I have been tempted but have not yet committed as it seems to do everything including making the coffee.

I was wondering, when you just want to take simple incident flash readings, how much does this thing help and how much does all the technology get in the way?

Thanks

Martin

 

[holmburgers]

FWIW, I've used a Shepherd flash meter and it was beautiful in its simplicity and very well made as far as I could tell.

 

[epatsellis]

Jason, I love my 508 (and frequently "borrow" my studio partners 758 for it's display in viewer when spot metering), after a while it's operation becomes second nature.

 

[fotch]

I had taken in on a trade a Wein WP-500B and compared it to my GOSSEN Luna-Pro F - flash meter and it was pretty close. The Wein is as simple as it gets and inexpensive. The F, while I also like it, had a board problem and it cost around $150 to have the factory repair it. If I were buying one today, I would be interested in one of the Sekonic meters

 

[Robert Budding]

I have a Sekonic L-358 and it is accurate & easy to use.
The Minoltas are also good.

I like the Sekonic because I can use it to trigger my Pocket Wizards.

 

[greybeard]

I wish that I had seen this thread when it was new---I ordered a Sekonic L-558 and a set of PocketWizards right after getting home from the emergency room, which occurred right after getting the split in my forehead sewn up, which in turn occurred right after trying to step carefully over the sync cord to the power pack, during which endeavor I encountered the end of the studio stand crossarm.

Something to think about if you are planning studio work with strobes.......

 

[Robert Budding]

I wish that I had seen this thread when it was new---I ordered a Sekonic L-558 and a set of PocketWizards right after getting home from the emergency room, which occurred right after getting the split in my forehead sewn up, which in turn occurred right after trying to step carefully over the sync cord to the power pack, during which endeavor I encountered the end of the studio stand crossarm.

Something to think about if you are planning studio work with strobes.......

Ouch! Hope you healed well.

 

[Robert Budding]

I wish that I had seen this thread when it was new---I ordered a Sekonic L-558 and a set of PocketWizards right after getting home from the emergency room, which occurred right after getting the split in my forehead sewn up, which in turn occurred right after trying to step carefully over the sync cord to the power pack, during which endeavor I encountered the end of the studio stand crossarm.

Something to think about if you are planning studio work with strobes.......

Ouch! Hope you healed well.

 

[craigclu]

I see that you got a meter and I just now stumbled on to this thread. In case others are looking for ideas, I might second the L-718 Sekonic that was mentioned in one of the responses. I've had mine for many years, bought new after reading a very glowing review. It has been rock solid, uses common alkaline AA batteries and has many functions and accessories. It's very intuitive and easy to use. I see them slip through eBay at very affordable prices, too. I'm attaching an old ad that summarizes its features.

 

[2F/2F]

I suggest a Minolta. It has two (count them) thingies: EI setting, and a button to fire the flash vie synch cable. IMO, best flash meter ever, because that's it. It's the closest flash meter equivalent to the Sekonic Studio Deluxe incident meter incident meter that I have used.

 

[2F/2F]

D'oh! Old thread.....

 

[Robert Budding]

D'oh! Old thread.....

People still use flash meters, so why not keep the info in one thread?

 

[Chriscc123]

get a kenko, its almost exactly like the old Minoltas, only dif is theres no exp adjustment in the battery compartment

 

[alanrockwood]

Maybe a dumb response, but what about using a digital camera as a flash meter?

(I'm not sure about how hard the synchronization issue would be.)

It seems that using a digital camera as a flash meter could also give other benefits, such as getting an idea of how the balance between main flash and fill flash is working.

 

[Chriscc123]

Maybe a dumb response, but what about using a digital camera as a flash meter?

(I'm not sure about how hard the synchronization issue would be.)

It seems that using a digital camera as a flash meter could also give other benefits, such as getting an idea of how the balance between main flash and fill flash is working.

unfortunately as far as i know its impossible, im assuming your talking about strobe flash.... but to do test shots, it is a very good idea in my opinion

 

[JBrunner]

Maybe a dumb response, but what about using a digital camera as a flash meter?

(I'm not sure about how hard the synchronization issue would be.)

It seems that using a digital camera as a flash meter could also give other benefits, such as getting an idea of how the balance between main flash and fill flash is working.

To big (won't go in my pocket), inconvenient (have to move the sync back and forth), imprecise (center weighted at best), and not capable of reading a ratio except as how it relates one to itself. The image could be pretty misleading as film shoulders and toes are curved compared to the virtual absence of shoulder and toe in digi-gizmos. I suppose if one got used to it ala polaroid as a proof medium it could be useful, but only as a proof shot, not really as a meter. Probably would be most useful for chrome shooters, much less so for negative, in my opinion.