Yet another "which light meter" thread (UK) ...

[pdeeh]

Never quite sure whether a light meter thread gets most attention here or in the "lighting" subforum.

Anyway.

Much to my annoyance I seem to have lost my Digisix, which, while it also annoyed me in all sorts of ways when I still had it, was eminently pocketable and simple to use.

As I can't afford to replace it directly (they seem to cost ~£130 now), I'm looking at 2nd-hand replacement options.

Meter discussions for small ones usually revolve round L-208 vs Digisix vs Lunasix 3/sbc/F

I have no interest in metering for flash, and I'm covered for spot because I have a L-508 (which is just too bulky to pocket when out for a wander).

Bulk rules out the older Sekonics that use a 9V battery, and I have no interest in taking a risk on selenium meters which might or might not work correctly, or die on me after a few months or years.

Both Lunasix and L-208 seem to go, 2nd-hand, for about the same price on eBay - ~£50ish.

A Lunasix would be older, probably require a battery adapter (another £20+) and for my purposes (pretty basic incident/reflected stuff) seems to offer no advantage over the L-208 short of having accessory options which I'll never get into or even want, and are covered anyway by the L-508 which I already own.

I can't find a rationale for not buying a L-208 (Twinmate).

Comments?

(Yes, I do know I can use sunny 16)

 

[Ian Grant]

Well I bought a ProfiSix SBC with a spot attachment on Sunday £30 and a LunaSix F for £15 both take the PP3 9v bateries (2 for £1 at Poundland) great meters but slightly bulky as you say. These will join another ProfiSix SBC in LF kits for workshops. I also have a Minolta Spotmeter F.

My light weight and remarkably reliable meters are Leningrad 4's, the huge advantage is no batteries to go flat, and they are small. I wouldn't rely on the Leningrads in low light levels but they are great for when I'm out in the landscape. I paid £5 for the one and £1 for the other

Ian

 

[pdeeh]

Ah but Ian you have the advantage of having a camera fair on your doorstep several times a year!

 

[BrianShaw]

You seem to have thought this out. My conclusion may have been different (I still use two meters that you've ruled out) but I can't find a rationale for you not buying a L-208 (Twinmate).

 

[bdial]

Based on what you outline the L-208 seems like a good candidate. I don't think I'd buy another digisix if I lost mine, the size is nice, but the problem I have with them is the enormous appetite for batteries.
For older stuff I like the Gossen Pilot, which doesn't need batteries and is roughly the size of the digisix, but as you fear, finding an accurate one is challenging.

 

[pdeeh]

Hmm ... out of the blue, a small refund cheque just dropped onto my mat from an old endowment mortgage (30 years ago!).
That plus my £50 budget covers a new 208 with all its bits and a proper warranty.
I think the universe is sending me a message.

 

[klownshed]

enormous appetite for batteries

Why it doesn't have an "OFF" switch is a mystery to me... ;-)

 

[pdeeh]

the problem I have with them is the enormous appetite for batteries.

I've seen other similar complaints about the Digisix, but mine only ever needed a new one about every year.
The reason I found it annoying was that it has all those extra modes that I never used (timers, alarms and whatnot) and I often found myself wandering around bleeping because pocket pressure had set the alarm (or I thought the smoke alarm at home had gone off), or it had otherwise changed mode or reset the ISO for the same reason.
Plus you could only change ISO in one direction.
In short, the interface was bloody awful.
Still and all, I'd rather still have it than spend money I can't really afford, but hey, sh!t happenz

 

[bdial]

Hmm ... out of the blue, a small refund cheque just dropped onto my mat from an old endowment mortgage (30 years ago!).
That plus my £50 budget covers a new 208 with all its bits and a proper warranty.
I think the universe is sending me a message.

Congratulations, let us know how you like it.

re: the digisix yes, the interface is horrid.

 

[jeffreyg]

For something to pocket, consider some of the apps for a cell phone. I used to carry two light meters when traveling ... just in case. But I have found the Pocket Light Meter app to be very accurate. Since I have the phone in my pocket anyway, that has become my backup meter.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

 

[Anon Ymous]

For something to pocket, consider some of the apps for a cell phone. I used to carry two light meters when traveling ... just in case. But I have found the Pocket Light Meter app to be very accurate. Since I have the phone in my pocket anyway, that has become my backup meter.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/

Some of them might actually be ok, but as far as I can tell, a lot depends on the phone itself. I've tried few of these applications over the last few years and got readings that were usually way off with any of them.

 

[miha]

Have a look at Gossen Sixtomat digital: http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/foto_p_sixtomat.php

I bought mine some 20 years ago, feather-light, should be inexpensive S/H.

 

[pentaxuser]

The problem with apps for a cell phone is that you have to have a cell phone in the first place.

pentaxuser

 

[pdeeh]

Have a look at Gossen Sixtomat digital: http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/foto_p_sixtomat.php

I bought mine some 20 years ago, feather-light, should be inexpensive S/H.

£60-£80 on eBay

 

[MattKing]

The Digiflash I have really improved its battery life and functionality when I switched the small, soft Gossen case for a tiny harder sided generic case with room for an extra battery.
As the batteries sell here 3 for a $1.00, I don't worry about battery cost.
If you don't want another, the Sekonic 308 meters are also nice and small.

 

[pdeeh]

I did look at the 308 but two things put me off: first, the exposure priority thing; and then the fact that they hold their value really well and even 2nd hand were a bit pricy.
Or do I mean pricey?

 

[pdeeh]

The problem with apps for a cell phone is that you have to have a cell phone in the first place.

pentaxuser

Good heavens, I know we're about to become the 51st state and all that, but surely we still call them mobiles over here ?

 

[NJH]

pdeeh I have the 308, great bit of kit. I got mine from either Amazon or Wex, can't remember but it was one of their regular sales. ISTR it cost me 80 quid about 2 years ago. I use it with slide film a lot so the flip across of the cone to take reflective readings gets used pretty much all the time, don't use the flash reading on it much but it does seem to work well.

 

[pdeeh]

Hoho they're about double that new now!
Anyhoo, a 208 is en route from speedgraphic so it's moot now (but if you're on Melbury hill one day and find a soggy digisix, you'll know whose it is )

 

[MattKing]

Bet you find your Digisix as soon as the return time on the 208 expires .

 

[pdeeh]

Of course.
These is no better way to find a lost object than to replace it.