Lightmeters, would like a new one lets discuss

You're in luck - new Sekonic C-700, £1400 http://www.ephotozine.com/article/sekonic-spectromaster-c-700-and-c-700r-26468 I use a Sekonic 308, as do most people it seems - handy for measuring studio lighting ratios.

Your camera has a very good light meter that can do everything a hand meter does (including incident readings) and more. The histogram is by far the most accurate measure of overall exposure.
 
I've use a Minolta Flashmeter IV not only is it good for studio work but also for taking ambient meter readings, either reflected or incident. It's very useful for checking the accuracy of your in camera meter but I still have an MPP 5x4 which doesn't have a meter so it's an essential tool for me.
 
I have & still do for the past 9 years used a Sekonic L358
I find not having to 'faff' about with the cameras histogram & just take a test flash & look at the meter is far more reliable as often I want a certain speed & can set the meter to that & find what flash strength I need versus different F values.
'Faffing' about taking several shots & looking a the histogram over & over! No thanks.

Anyhoo to the OP's ?, I have never been let down by the L358, not sure what features your L308B doesn't have compared to my L358 but the L358 has a 90 second window to take a test reading so if you have no remote firing mech you can leave the meter in place & walk to the flash to fire if flash is your need.
The battery in mine has lasted well over 2 years & it's used at least 20 times each week.
It can take the small radio trigger which fits inside with no protrusions.

It's not made by Sekonic anymore but you'll be hard pressed to find any on eBay UK there are some average at £150 from the states
to me this shows how good they are if not many for sale on eBay, loads of L308s there though, having said that the 308 is still made, the 358 has become well not sure but there are some pretty fancy, and costly new versions with touch screens etc.

The L358 has these features for you to compare with your existing one or other makes...
Measuring System Incident: Dual retractable lumisphere, Reflected: with included reflected light attachment; Silicon photo diodes Measuring Modes Ambient and flash (cord, cordless, multi flash) – incident and reflected (54 degrees)
Receptor Head Rotating 270 degree with built-in retractable lumisphere Aperture/Shutter Priority Aperture and shutter priority Display Readout Digital LCD plus LCD analog, (auto-backlit LCD at EV 3 and under for 20 sec.)
ISO Range Dual ISO settings: 3 to 8000 (1/3rd steps) f/Stop Display Range Incident/Reflected: f/1.0 to 90 9/10 (full, 1/2 or 1/3rd steps)
Shutter Speed – Ambient 1/8000 sec. to 30 minutes Shutter Speed – Flash 1/1000 sec to 30 minutes EV Range (ISO-100)
Flash: EV -2 to 22.9 (Incident/Reflected) Cine Speeds 2 – 360fps
Exposure Memory Capable of nine exposure measurement readings Shadow/Highlight Calculation Yes Brightness Difference Displays the difference in 1/10 stop increments Flash to Ambient Ratio Yes Multiple Flash Yes, unlimited Exposure Calibration +/- 1.0 EV
Power Source 1 CR123A lithium battery Dimensions 2.4 x 6.1 x 1.46″ (60 x 155 x 37mm) WHD Weight 5.4 oz (154g) Specialties All weather design;
Radio triggering with optional RT-32 Radio Transmitter Module (max. distance is 100ft);
Compatible with PocketWizard Digital Radio Receivers; 16 standard PocketWizard Channels (#1-16) and 16 “Selective Quad Triggering” multi-zone channels (#17-32) are accessed through the meter’s integral software and displayed on its LCS panel.
In Selective Quad, up to 4 zones of lighting can be individually triggered and measured wirelessly by the meter
Read more at http://www.thephoblographer.com/2012/01/22/review-sekonic-l-358-light-meter/#fgHVPFce2si8KPhI.99
 
there useful for difficult lighting outdoors too :)
minolta here cos it was dirt cheap on classifieds here :D
 
chris malcolm said:
You haven't told us what annoys you about your old meter.
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The camera has more stops than the meter which skips quite a few in-between plus I've kind of moved away from using cameras inbuilt meters and now prefer a seperate light meter
 
oh yeah my minolta has that, does full stops, then tenths of a stop, and is more tailored to shutter proiety than apature, and is limited to 30secs max
 
pingu666 said:
oh yeah my minolta has that, does full stops, then tenths of a stop, and is more tailored to shutter proiety than apature, and is limited to 30secs max
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My Minota IV can switch between Speed / Aperture and even compensates for multiple exposures.
 
ive got a iii one, its more limited and physical than the later ones, but it was 23quid or so, id need to spend alot more for a later one... Like 80 to 300 quid
 
I've got the iii too, does the job, shame it can't be completely turned off (bit of paper in the battery terminal sorts that out)

Think I paid 25 quid and don't want to spend out more for something I only use occasionally

Only gives shutter speed and EV, but not hard to find aperture by scrolling through
 
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I've got a minolta IVf too, you can sell your Sekonic and buy one and get a decent tripod head with the change, it's the worst kept secret in photography though. Everyone goes for the Sekonic because it's such good value, but because it's popular it holds it's value, older better meters are such good value in comparison.
 
tijuana taxi said:
I've got the iii too, does the job, shame it can't be completely turned off (bit of paper in the battery terminal sorts that out)

Think I paid 25 quid and don't want to spend out more for something I only use occasionally

Only gives shutter speed and EV, but not hard to find aperture by scrolling through
Click to expand...

I think there's 2 models of the iii, mine gives f stop on its display, with shutter and iso(locks) on scrolly wheels
 
The Sekonic L308S can be adjusted to display 1, 1/2 or 1/3 stop differences, by powering on with the mode button pressed and scrolling to the desired setting and then powering off. It will remember the setting until changed again. I don't think this is possible on the L308B models.
 
Another Minolta Flash meter IV user here, most important for me is it is compatable with the Sinar Booster 1 the fact that is an all round excellent meter is a plus can usually be found for 100-200 seconhand.

Also recently obtained a Minolta Flash Meter V for 75 looks like it might be slightly easier to use.
Rumour has it that the IV is still the standard in Hollywood.

The V was replaced by the VI which incorporated a spot meter although Minolta stopped making these Kenko still make them as the KFM 2100, Microglobe still have Flashmeter VI available new by the way.

The VI does not interest me as it doesn't have the accessory jack
 
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