Meters... what do you like?

[Jim Hoffman]

Time to buy a new light meter... What do you like - not like???

[Florian Stadler]

The Spectra IV and Minolta F Spotmeter has been a very reliable combo for me in the past 10 years. I bring them to Lightmetrics for calibration every year and my Spectra comes back untouched as "perfect" every year.

If you want a combo Spot/Incident meter the Sekonic L-758 Cine would be my purchase. The coolest part about the meter is that your Gaffer can "beam" you incident readings onto your meter from around the set from the comfort of your dolly/monitor if he has the same meter...

[donatello b]

Minolta flash meter VI , Minolta auto meter V , Minolta Spot meter F ...

[Bruce Allen]

I use the Sekonic L-508c- no complaints! I agree the L-758 looks beautiful... but there are other things I'd rather have for the money. And I'm a director / vfx supervisor, not a DP.

Be aware that there are often student discounts on light meters (I bought mine while at USC for a pretty cheap price) - so keep an eye out for broke film students selling theirs second-hand ;)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Babu Kantamneni]

I use the Sekonic L-508c- no complaints! I agree the L-758 looks beautiful... but there are other things I'd rather have for the money. And I'm a director / vfx supervisor, not a DP.

Be aware that there are often student discounts on light meters (I bought mine while at USC for a pretty cheap price) - so keep an eye out for broke film students selling theirs second-hand ;)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

Wiseman!

[Evin Grant]

Minolta Spot F and a Wescot folding grey/white card.

[Mike Prevette]

I use a Minolta flash meter IV, Minolta spotmeter F, and a Spectra IV


Never trusted the Sekonics, especially the spotmeter combos. The spotmeter flairs to easy and gives wrong readings. Your much better off bitingthe bullet and getting dedicated units.

_mike

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I've got a Sekonic L-358, it's OK. Consistently accurate and easy to use and I guess that's what matters. I wish I would've bought the 758 though, but it at the time it was nearly 3X the price, not sure how they compare now.

[Paris Remillard]

Sekonic L-608c. Love it. Borrowed it from my Dad and never gave it back.

[Stacey Spears]

A while back someone posted a link to the L-758 Cine being sold on eBay via Hong Kong retailers. I ended up purchasing one and it was delivered within a week.

[Jim Hoffman]

I use a Minolta flash meter IV, Minolta spotmeter F, and a Spectra IV


Never trusted the Sekonics, especially the spotmeter combos. The spotmeter flairs to easy and gives wrong readings. Your much better off bitingthe bullet and getting dedicated units.

_mike

I wondered about the combo thing... anyone else have to say about combos one way or the other???? Dedicated units the way to go?

[Tico Llaurador]

I usually keep a Spectra Cine IV handy (always used Spectras since way back when, so I don't know about the others). Nice and simple, but very capable. Sometimes I wish I had the spot metering attachment. Though I never have gotten around to order it.

http://www.spectracine.com/Photographic2i.jpg

[Fredrik Harreschou]

You can even get it in RED!

http://www.spectracine.com/SC015.jpg

[Finner]

I wondered about the combo thing... anyone else have to say about combos one way or the other???? Dedicated units the way to go?

Sekonic dual meter's

Pro's- small, work well, only have to carry 1 meter.

Con's- With only one meter if you have a problem with it on set you are hooped (not as big a problem with a red shoot as compared to a film shoot.)

[Adrian T.]

Sekonic dual meter's

Pro's- small, work well, only have to carry 1 meter.

Con's- With only one meter if you have a problem with it on set you are hooped (not as big a problem with a red shoot as compared to a film shoot.)

What about lens glare with the spot of the Sekonic dual meter?
Does it make sense to have the lens hood accessory?

[Finner]

Unless you have only 1 arm flares are not a problem. Just use your left hand to sheild it.

[Adrian T.]

Unless you have only 1 arm flares are not a problem. Just use your left hand to sheild it.

:biggrin: Thanks for the tip.

[Hans von Sonntag]

I got a Minolta Autometer V that consistently runs out of battery. Happened more than once. I've also got a Sekonic L-398A (the Egg) that never let me down. It's self powered and pretty accurate. The downside is that you cannot adjust ASA (you can but for that you need special shimes to bring down the amount of light hitting the sensor). It is calibrated for 320 ASA which is not so bad for RED.

I rarely need a spotmeter and if I need one the 1st AC got one probably.

Hans

[Dane Brehm]

If your not one to shoot higher then 300fps I'd go for a Sekonic 558 or 608 but if you do want to have the capability then a Cine model is what you need.

I had a Sekonic 558 Cine but recently lost some gear after a Doc shoot in TX.

Sekonic gives a 30% discount to students. Ebay has been great to me.

I also own a Minolta Color Meter 3F I mainly use it for film shoots that I'm Gaffing/BBE on. Which are happening less and less each year....

[KETCH ROSSi]

I have the Sekonic L-758c,

I have it setup with a radio transmitter to fire my 1DIII remotely via the Pocketwizard PLUS II.

This meter is great every one that used loved, for me I had no time yet to use it much but looking forward to learn and use all the so many features it has.

So from a personal experience I can not yet make a sincere comment as before I can form an opinion I must learn how to use it first.

But based on the comments of the ones that use it when I let them in several events, both in photography and in cinematography workflows, I can say that it seems the best all around.

Hope it helps.

Anyway if you need it for a shoot before you buy one I can let you use it, so you can make a better decision.


Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI

[Jim Hoffman]

Thanks for the offer and info -

I'm actually going to get to play with a few this week - I let you guys know how it goes.

[Nook Kim]

Spectra IV & Minolta Spot F have been very effective for me. I thought
about Sekonic Combo's, but they have too many functions that I never use.
On the other side, Spectra and Minolta have nothing too special about them.
You hit the button, and you get the readings. Very simple. Also, they're
both extremely light on your belt.

One thing about the Spectra IV, the battery is hard to get a hold of. I usually
buy a few for a project just in case. For Minolta, I don't care if the battery
runs out even though the meter doesn't have auto power save function. It
takes AA's, which half of the crew usually have.

Hope this helps

[Bill Anderson]

I've been using spot meters for about twenty odd years now. Given the nature of digital's exposure latitude, it's as important now as ever. I can easily place maximum white- with texture (or black) etc.- exactly. My minolta hand held spot is very precise.
I've found the spot on my DSLR to be a bit too large in its angle, and its a wee bit off centre in its response.
A couple of things to consider with meters: how linear is your meter's response and how good is its lens, and lens shade?
In daylight conditions, check your (spot) meters linearity by first establishing a reading from, say, a grey card (or the side of a house for that matter) now place a series of ND's over your lens, one at a time as you repeat readings; see if your meter responds exactly to the ND values. Watch out for flare. Rosco swatch samples are a pretty decent source for cheap ND's - but not for your camera lenses of course.
Now do the same thing indoors ( low light conditions) to test for the lower end linear response. Strange as it may seem I've come across meters that were linear in daylight and not so with average low light conditions.

Check the lens and baffle quality (how it handles light falling outside the spot area). Does that extraneous light affect the readings? it shouldn't.
On a sunny day, choose a distant dark area (i.e. a small matte black card) a little larger than your spot area. Take a reading; now walk up close to card (same angle and don't cast a shadow) and take another reading.
Ideally, both readings should be identical. If your meter gives a higher distant value than the close up one, consider adding a baffle (ie black card with small hole) to the lens.

[Eryc Tramonn]

I've used a Sekonic L-308B in school, and it worked well for what it was. There's no cine scale though. Once out of school, I upgraded to the mother of all meters, the Sekonic L-608cine...and it's been fun to use since.

[Jim Hoffman]

Bill -

Thats good advice - thanks - anyone else have experience with the Sekonic cine meters?

[Nova Invicta]

Minolta no longer manufacture photography meters and the only color meters they produce are for industrial use. Sony took over the photographic side of Minolta and dropped the production of meters.
Unfortunately none of the other manufacturers make products that match the Minolta which is a sad reflection of the switch to digital where everyone relies on what the camera tells them to the detriment of photography and its understanding.
Sekonic or Spectra only real options from new.

[Dalibor Fencl]

Pentax Digital Spotmeter
http://www.celluloidandsilver.com/link%20images/pentax-digital-spotmeter.jpg

Or even the old Pentax Spotmeter V
http://www.butkus.org/chinon/pentax/pentax_spotmeter_v/pentax1.gif

[J. Eric Camp]

Started with Sekonic analogs and have stayed with them through to the XX8c series. It's not that I will say they are any better it's just been my preference. Bill is right. No matter what meter you have you should check it, I feel, before any note worthy job. Especially if it's film.

I believe it is still an invaluable tool when it comes to "Digital Cinema" and recommend it for anyone who is serious about this.

[Alexander Nikishin]

Sekonic L-758C, one bad mofo of a meter!

[Kevin Halverson]

That picture of the Pentax Spotmeter V brings back great memories. I used to have one and used it on just about everything until I lost it on a location shoot in the desert a little over a year ago. Now I just use the spot meter mode in my Skeonic, but really, the Spotmeter V was the best.

[donatello b]

"Unfortunately none of the other manufacturers make products that match the Minolta "

a company called Kenko did take over minolta meters for - color meter , flash meter VI & auto meter V all under the kenko name ......

http://www.thkphoto.com/news/news-pr-kfm-3100-0407.html

http://www.thkphoto.com/news/news-pr-kfm-1100-0407.html

http://www.thkphoto.com/news/news-pr-kfm-2100-0407.html

[Peter Sensor]

I still love my Spectra Pro P-251 - 28 years and counting.
I use a Pentax Digital spot meter and also Minolta IV F.
And a Minolta Color Meter.
My Spectra Candella is very handy, Think about pushing Vision 3 stock just one stop to 1000 ISO, you need an accurate read on 2 or 4 footcandles.

[Priyesh P.]

our sekonic l-558 cine is as expensive as it is perfect. anyway, high recommendation.

[Pol Turrents]

Talking about meters... I'm going to buy a clinometer.
Does anybody work with the suunto?
http://www.suunto.com/suunto/main/product_long.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=1013419867394 0089&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=9852723697223383&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442490194&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395903525&bmUID=1198114737115&bmLocale=en_US
any other suggestion?

[Matt Uhry]

Spectra IV and Minolta Digital Spot F. I've tried many other combinations and I keep coming back to these 2. It's very love/hate with the minolta, and it's love/love with the spectra. I usually try to guess the stop before I meter to train myself, sometimes I make a bets with my Gaffer on who can guess closest. He hates it because I usually win.

Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

[Esmaile Neissi]

hi guys dose any one have an experience on giving a profile to the sekonic for white reference and black reference according to the red one cemos cleping points

I mean according to this part of an article:


What is camera exposure profiling? Since no two digital cameras, cameras and light meters or different types of film are likely to agree on the same exposure, they need to be profiled (an acquired exposure characteristics). The L-758DR Digitalmaster is the first light meter that can be programmed with these profiles, to respond to light exactly the way your digital camera or type of film does. Each type of film or digital camera sensor has its own unique way of responding to various exposure conditions. These conditions often change the accuracy of the rated ISO and the dynamic range performance. An exposure profile is an exposure test that maps the exposure characteristics, as well as the dynamic range of a particular digital camera sensor’s or type of film’s. The exposure profile test measures the sensors or films response under the following conditions:

Flash Incident mode (at all ISO)
Flash Reflected mode (at all ISO)
Ambient Incident mode (at all ISO)
Ambient Reflected mode (at all ISO)


PLEASE NOTE: The exposure profile of a digital camera can be very different depending on the captured file type (Jpeg, Tiff, RAW). When making an exposure profile, make sure you select the file format that you commonly use to ensure accurate and predictable results.

[Simon Dunne]

So, it's now 2011 and i would like to see what has changed in this time??

I need a light meter. I'd like to be able to measure colour temperature as well. 4 years down the line, should i still be looking at Minolta??

It will be used within a live TV news environment and on location, using SD cameras but moving towards HD very soon.

TIA, Simon

[Simon Dunne]

So no one uses light meters anymore then??! :posti:

[Richard Foster]

I still use a Minolta Auto Meter IVF. It's been very reliable and accurate for many years. And of course I use the RED's histograms and goalposts and traffic lights too.

[Matt W.]

So no one uses light meters anymore then??! :posti:

Hasn't been a lot of change in the light meter market in recent years.

I use a 758-cine. It's bloated, but versatile and very precise.

[Liam Hall]

So, it's now 2011 and i would like to see what has changed in this time??

I need a light meter. I'd like to be able to measure colour temperature as well. 4 years down the line, should i still be looking at Minolta??

It will be used within a live TV news environment and on location, using SD cameras but moving towards HD very soon.

TIA, Simon

You wont need a light meter for TV news, certainly not for live news.

For recces or complex lighting set-ups you'll need one, but in today's digital realm there are plenty of exposure aids on most modern cameras.

[Jim Hoffman]

I usually try to guess the stop before I meter to train myself
Matt Uhry
www.mattuhry.com

I bought a 758Cine. I like it. I have found the RED metering to be very good and my final say, but I agree with Matt. I end up carrying the meter around in different lighting situations to train my eye about stop differences and ambient levels. This has been a very valuable training tool in that way.

I'd like a color meter now for sure. I'd love to improve the overall look of my work with subtle filter usage on light sources. I'd love more training in this way.

[Michael Hardwick]

Spectra IV, Minolta Spot F, Minolta Color 3.

Minolta Auto IV as a backup.

Love the idea of combining the incident and spot into one like the Sekonic 758... but
thats an expensive piece of kit.

Quality Light & Metric keep them in tune.

Not the newest, or sexiest... but they work great.

Personally have serious respect for the old school Spectra Combi-500... gave mine away as a gift to another DP buddy.

[Peter Strietmann]

Minolta IV, workhorse
Seconic L-778, spot
Gossen, luna pro, for old time sake.

[Richard Foster]

Full disclosure.

Minolta IVF Main
Minolta Color meter
Minolta Spot Meter M
Minolta III backup

[Simon Dunne]

Thanks for all the replies guys. Looks like the Minolta's are the ones to go for.....but they're no more from what i can find out??! Have they been bought out by Kenko??!

http://www.microglobe.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?pName=kenko-kfm2100-professional-light-meter-with-spot-meter