Sekonic L308s Light/Flash meter??

Ajf350d

Ajf350d

Suspended / Banned
Messages
249
Name
Andrew
Edit My Images
Yes
OK, so this isn't the usual way to do things!
I just purchased this from Amazon as have been thinking of a light meter for a while and it was on the Black Friday deals.

However, does it work in the way I am assuming with flash?
I do not have an ETTL flash so have to set the flash power manually and camera exposure manually.
From the way I read it, this will read off the flash light output during a test fire and then give me the correct shutter/aperture settings for the camera?!

Am I correct?

I took the risk on the basis if it does what I expect it was a good price.
If not, I can return it :)
 
Ajf350d said:
OK, so this isn't the usual way to do things!
I just purchased this from Amazon as have been thinking of a light meter for a while and it was on the Black Friday deals.

However, does it work in the way I am assuming with flash?
I do not have an ETTL flash so have to set the flash power manually and camera exposure manually.
From the way I read it, this will read off the flash light output during a test fire and then give me the correct shutter/aperture settings for the camera?!

Am I correct?

I took the risk on the basis if it does what I expect it was a good price.
If not, I can return it :)
Click to expand...

Yes, but there are two ways of doing it.

The best way is to take an 'incident light' reading, ie of the light falling on the subject. Slide the little white dome across the sensor, hold the meter at the subject position with the dome pointing towards the camera.

The other way is a 'reflected light' reading from the camera position pointing towards the subject, but without the white dome. This is the same type of reading as the camera normally makes, but unlike an incident reading, accuracy is affected by the light/dark tones of the subject.
 
Thanks, that's good!
I understand the idea of the two types of taking the reading but just wasn't sure I misunderstood its use with flash.
Getting used to using flash a bit but the biggest issue I have had with my current setup is the guessing involved with the camera settings!

FYI it's a Canon dedicated flash but an Olympus E-PL5 body (I changed after I got the flash!)
 
HoppyUK said:
Yes, but there are two ways of doing it.

The best way is to take an 'incident light' reading, ie of the light falling on the subject. Slide the little white dome across the sensor, hold the meter at the subject position with the dome pointing towards the camera.

The other way is a 'reflected light' reading from the camera position pointing towards the subject, but without the white dome. This is the same type of reading as the camera normally makes, but unlike an incident reading, accuracy is affected by the light/dark tones of the subject.
Click to expand...

That's interesting, Hoppy. Not quite how I do it. I take the incident reading pointing the meter towards the light.
 
JennyGW said:
That's interesting, Hoppy. Not quite how I do it. I take the incident reading pointing the meter towards the light.
Click to expand...

Jenny, please don't start that one! There have been a few long and acrimonious debates on where to point an incident meter :eek:
 
HoppyUK said:
Jenny, please don't start that one! There have been a few long and acrimonious debates on where to point an incident meter :eek:
Click to expand...

lol .. well, I'm happy with how I do things and so are you, that's what counts :)

Until my camera starts lighting my subject, I'm sticking to my way :)
 
Last edited:
I have the Sekonic L358 (without radio trigger) & the meter when set for a flash reading has a window of opportunity of 90 seconds while it waits for the light to flash.
Not sure how I would trigger a Canon Speedlite as I don't own one, do they have a PC Sync socket.
I know the L-308 can read with & without a PC sync cord.
I suppose you could get someone to test fire the speedlite from its position whilst you hold the L-308 where its needed.
I recently bought a new 5 meter Pc sync cord from China for £2.60 inc postage as my official Bowens has been dodgy for a while now.
The replacement works as opposed to a UK one I returned which cost £17!!!
 
Last edited:
I use a l308s and fire strobes / speedlights via wireless triggers. I'll often get the sitter to hold the LM in the correct position (for me pointing at the key light) and call out the reading so they get involved even though i don't need them too.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top