Lightmeters for Red: Minolta, Gossen, Kenko... What's the best option?

[Simon Smith]

This is coming from here:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?p=142201&posted=1#post142201

Where there have been referred a few examples...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160199116737&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:AU:1123

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?photo/lightmeters/minolta.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?shs=color+meter&ci=0&sb=ps&pn=1&sq=desc&InitialSearch=yes&O=product.jsp&A=search&Q=*&bhs=t

Any idea?

[donatello]

kenko (actually it the company that owns kenko) has the rights to the minolta/konica flash meter VI, color meter III & auto meter V and they make it under Kenko ...

i use minolta- spot F , auto meter IV & V , color meters II & III , flash meter VI , spectra IV , pentax digital spot ..and somewhere a gossen luna pro SBC ...
since i've had red 103 i've been mostly using the flash meter VI - it's a combination spot & incident along in combination with the Red meters ( mostly spot )
many get along fine without a color meter ... and many non film shooters get along fine without a light meter .... i don't ...

[Adam Levins]

I have the Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster.

you can Calibrate to match the Sensitivity of Your Camera’s Digital Imaging Sensor.

When I get my RED I plan to create a profile and share in here on reduser. unless someone else does it first.

Some digital profiles are available here: http://www.sekonic.co.jp/English/product/meter/download.shtml

On my last film I had this baby and a Spectra Professional IV-A Light Meter System with spot meter attachment (which is very cumbersome). I found I never used the spectra so I have since got rid of it.

[Ryan Patch]

Spectra IV - the industry standard

[Adam Levins]

Spectra IV - the industry standard

That is the old line... And is is a great meter but the spot attachment is not great and I am a zone guy myself.

However for digital work I think the Sekonic has better suited features, and the spotmeter is very usable on the unit.

Having said that meters are always going to come down to personal taste, try them all out is my advice.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Sekonic L-758DR.

[Simon Smith]

Sekonic L-758DR.Okay... But is this a color meter too?

I've been thinking to buy the Minolta Color meter II:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=160199116737&ssPageName=ADME:X:AAQ:AU:1123

Is this necessary? What's the difference with the Color Meter III? Does it worth the difference?

[Alexander Nikishin]

The L758DR is the wrong model to puchase for cinema applications.....

There is an L-758C model that is better suited for cinema. It is not a color meter, there are seperate meters for that.

IMO the best color meter is the Gossen 3F, then the Minolta 3, quite a while ago I did research on the reasoning but fail to remember the exacts as to why.

[Adam Levins]

The L758DR is the wrong model to puchase for cinema applications.....

There is an L-758C model that is better suited for cinema. It is not a color meter, there are seperate meters for that.

IMO the best color meter is the Gossen 3F, then the Minolta 3, quite a while ago I did research on the reasoning but fail to remember the exacts as to why.

Yes that is a good point. the "C" version has adjustable shutter angels and more frame rate options.

I sometimes find it easier working out the difference in my head than playing with the menu's. So again it's a mater of taste and the C version costs more.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Yeah, my bad...

I've been using one I borrowed and I guess it is the "C" version and not the "DR" version. This one is too old to be a new DR model anyway.

Nice meter, I've found it to be very accurate and easy to use. The shutter angle settings are a must (which the 758DR does not have) and is also why I quit using my Sekonic L-358.

[donatello]

difference between minolta color meter II & III ...

II will read out kelvin ( blue/red) and read out numbers for green/magenta .. you then look at a chart on the back for the color correction (camera filter for the kelvin ... CC amount for green/magenta )...

III has II's read out PLUS tells you the camera filter and all CC correction in the digital LCD ...

[chuck colburn]

If your just taking readings of light level a nice and sturdy meter is the Sekonic 398. It can be had for about two bills new and you won't ever need to replace the battery. Mine has gold plated trim! (anniversary model)

[Alexander Nikishin]

I picked up my L-758C on eBay from a trusted seller for $450 with shipping, seems its went up by $50 since then.

You can trust that this is a genuine Sekonic meter, I've compared it to ones sold at local retailers and it is indeed the same.

Great meter! Spot on with RED's zebra system, customizable sensitivity.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sekonic-L-758C-L-758-Cine-L758C-Light-Meter-New_W0QQitemZ200192706864QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3319QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Adam Levins]

I picked up my L-758C on eBay from a trusted seller for $450 with shipping, seems its went up by $50 since then.

You can trust that this is a genuine Sekonic meter, I've compared it to ones sold at local retailers and it is indeed the same.

Great meter! Spot on with RED's zebra system, customizable sensitivity.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Sekonic-L-758C-L-758-Cine-L758C-Light-Meter-New_W0QQitemZ200192706864QQihZ010QQcategoryZ3319QQ ssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi Alexander,

Have you made custom profiles for the RED or are the standard ASA ratings accurate?

Cheers,

[Alexander Nikishin]

Hi Alexander,

Have you made custom profiles for the RED or are the standard ASA ratings accurate?

Cheers,

Hey Adam,

I've tinkered with the custom profile tool, but left it at the standard setting....

180d shutter, 320ASA.

Both spot and incident readings are spot on for me.

[Adam Levins]

Hey Adam,

I've tinkered with the custom profile tool, but left it at the standard setting....

180d shutter, 320ASA.

Both spot and incident readings are spot on for me.

Thanks Alexander,

Good to know...

[sbaechler]

Sekonic has great student discouts. I got 40% on my 608 Cine. So if you are a film student check out Sekonic.

Minoltas are very common and if you drop one it still works. Unfortunately Minolta doesn't make them anymore and if they do break it is hard to find a place that can fix them. So before buying a second hand Minolta check where or even if you can service it.

[Dukeswharf]

Hi Adam,

When I get my RED I plan to create a profile and share in here on reduser. unless someone else does it first.

have you by any chance created a profile for your RED yet?

[Richard Darge]

I'm using a Spectra Pro. IV-A and it works really well with the Red. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a Sekonic but it does get the job done everytime. I think you can get one new for just over $350 at filmtools