Digital Light Metres - which one?

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Peter
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Hi

I'm thinking of investing in a digital light metre for my D3. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Thanks in advance

Peter
 
Can I ask why, and what you are intending using it for?

If it's just for setting studio flash lights then one of the cheaper Sekonic models will be okay, but if you want the ultimate in digital metering for both studio and external (especially landscapes) then the Sekonic 758D is hard to beat with 1 degree spot metering too as well as a radio option (additional part req) if you have pocket wizards. £270 from Onestop, about £400 in UK.
 
:agree:
Sekonic 758D is a great light meter if you need both a studio flash meter and an outdoor meter. if it's just outdoor 1 degree spot you are after maybe keep an eye out for a Pentax digital spotmeter.
 
Hi

Both but mainly for studio and product photography!

Kind regards

Peter
 
pragmatist said:
I take it onestop is overseas with a hefty import duty to add when it arrives?
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Is overseas (HK) but guarantee to refund any import duty if paid, I have placed £1000+ orders with Onestop and if you select FedEx delivery (£10 extra per item) it is usually delivered within 4 days. (last was ordered last Sunday and arrived on Wednesday morning).

Search Onestop on here and see what others think!
 
scottduffy said:
Onestop does refund import duty.
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On all products? Maybe I'm confusing them with Digital Rev...

I agree...the L758D is hard to beat, especially for that sweet 1 degree spot for landscapes. it's awesome :love:
 
Sekonic L308S will do more than enough for studio and product photography :) Can be picked up for about £100 new :)
 
I use a Sekonic L408, great bit of kit which cost me around £100 I think from ebay.
 
I use one of these: It's a Kenko KFM1100... Works really well but it's not the cheapest.

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Why do you need a light meter for digital photography ?

Cant you just do a test shot, look at the histogram, if its too dark, increase the exposure. Too bright, decrease the exposure ?

What is a light meter going to give me, that I cant work out for myself with a couple of test shots ?
 
Nutty667 said:
Why do you need a light meter for digital photography ?

Cant you just do a test shot, look at the histogram, if its too dark, increase the exposure. Too bright, decrease the exposure ?

What is a light meter going to give me, that I cant work out for myself with a couple of test shots ?
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I can't vouch for the other guys but for me it's the convenience of framing my landscape shots and not having to recompose everytime i want to take a reading which is a right royal pain in the butt, Especially with a ball head. Light changes very very quickly with landscaping and i just think it will be easier, Some may disagree but it's their perogative.
 
Not to mention that it is more accurate for setting up specific lighting ratios when using more than one source.
 
Thank you everyone. Real good stuff to give thought to.

Thank you.

Peter
 
Nutty667 said:
Why do you need a light meter for digital photography ?

Cant you just do a test shot, look at the histogram, if its too dark, increase the exposure. Too bright, decrease the exposure ?

What is a light meter going to give me, that I cant work out for myself with a couple of test shots ?
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If you are using flash for example (off camera) then the camera cannot meter light at an instance it's not there. Why guess exposures when a light meter can tell you the reading in a second?

When doing paid work in particular, and time is money, it's far more important getting it right in camera and reducing the amount of processing later then poorly exposed shots.
 
LeeP said:
If you are using flash for example (off camera) then the camera cannot meter light at an instance it's not there. Why guess exposures when a light meter can tell you the reading in a second?

When doing paid work in particular, and time is money, it's far more important getting it right in camera and reducing the amount of processing later then poorly exposed shots.
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Ok, I'll give you that it might help in lots of flash situations.

But I argue, that on a digital camera, theres no-excuse for having poorly exposed shots, regardless of whether you have a light meter or not.

As you can easily see how well the shot is exposed instantly afterwards.
 
Nutty667 said:
Ok, I'll give you that it might help in lots of flash situations.

But I argue, that on a digital camera, theres no-excuse for having poorly exposed shots, regardless of whether you have a light meter or not.

As you can easily see how well the shot is exposed instantly afterwards.
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I completely agree. For every day shots out and about, I wouldn't bother. OK, the odd wedding I have used one just for sanity more than anything (when not in aperture/shutter priority) and it only comes out for a handful of shots, but it gets used in anger when shooting with flash :)
 
I regularly use mine when shooting with my TSE lenses, the tilt and shift can often upset the camera's metering.

When shooting landscapes there is nothing quite like using a 1 degree spot meter to set your exposure/s and the added time it takes can often be used for reflection on your chosen subject, much more satisfying than just sticking the camera to your eye and banging away.
 
I've got the Sekonic L-758D - wonderful and triggers PWs too. :)
 
The Gossen Sixtomat digital in the nicest to use lightmeter I've ever used. Mine's the non flash version but they also do a flash version.

shimbo
 
pragmatist said:
I can't vouch for the other guys but for me it's the convenience of framing my landscape shots and not having to recompose everytime i want to take a reading which is a right royal pain in the butt, Especially with a ball head. Light changes very very quickly with landscaping and i just think it will be easier, Some may disagree but it's their perogative.
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+1 and also the spot on DSLRs is nowhere near as good as on the L758D.

Absolutely delighted with the correct exposures it gives me :thumbs:
 
Hi All

Just to let you know after much consideration I have bought the Sekonic L-758D Digitalmaster :)

Can't wait to get it now

Thanks for your help

Kind regards

Peter
 
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