Anybody have a recommendation for a handheld meter?

[teepee12]

Call me old school. For that matter, call me old, but I want a handheld meter. I don't really trust the camera's metering system. It's great when it's working just right, but I'm not convinced that I know exactly what I'm metering. "Center weighted" doesn't tell me how wide the "center" is ... and "spot" leaves the area undefined too.

I miss my old Weston Master 5, but it's long gone. What do people use these days? I'm sure that I am not the only one who likes to take specific readings ... so the question is, what do folks use?

The technology is so different from what it was i don't know quite what to make of it!

[SusanH1970]

I don't have one, but I do know several photographers that swear by the Sekonic L-358.

[RichardTaylor]

I have a Sekonic L-308S.
It's a good meter, and has the ability to measure flash exposures.
The main disadvantage compared to the the Weston Master V is that it needs a battery and you have to trn it on (It's been a long time since I used my Weston Master V).

Mine sees little use because of I am very happy with using my camera's metering system, with some exposure compensation etc dialed in if need be, and the histogram for those difficult exposures.

[zona5101]

358 is a good choice. For a basic meter that will also do flash: the L308s
I have a 308 - primarily for metering flash or calculating lighting ratios...
Sekonic-Exposure Meters-Color Meters-Illuminometers

[teepee12]

I got a used (great condition, I believe) Sekonic 358M, the old Studio Master (no battery), probably because I am old and nostalgic and besides, I actually know how to USE it. I found the instructions for it online in PDF form at Sekonic's website.

I figure this particular meter was THE standard for about 40 years, it would probably do what I need which is give me the ability to "walk the scene" and see how the light is playing. I am highly amused at it's total like of electronics. It is ALL mechanical with a photocell. Short of dropping it off a cliff or running over it with your truck, it should be more or less indestructible. I wish I could say the same of me!

Happy weekend all!

[teepee12]

Originally Posted by SusanH1970

I don't have one, but I do know several photographers that swear by the Sekonic L-358.

The one I bought is the Daddy (granddady?) of this one.

The Sekonic website you linked to is a gold mine of information, by the way. Everything you need to know is there in English, Japanese or Urdu. Like a museum of Light!

[teepee12]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

I have a Sekonic L-308S.
It's a good meter, and has the ability to measure flash exposures.
The main disadvantage compared to the the Weston Master V is that it needs a battery and you have to trn it on (It's been a long time since I used my Weston Master V).

Mine sees little use because of I am very happy with using my camera's metering system, with some exposure compensation etc dialed in if need be, and the histogram for those difficult exposures.

I got Sekonic L-398m Prof. Studio Exp Meter (used) at Adorama. NO battery (yes!!). It is as close to my old Weston Master V as I could get. Who knows how old really because they made that same model for more than 40 years and the new version is only slightly different (same things with an A instead of an M, but add $100) and it too doesn't use a battery.

I often feel battered by batteries. My entire life runs on batteries. Should there be no more batteries or rechargers, at least I will still be able to measure light. To what purpose I am not the least sure.

I'm happy with my camera's metering except when I'm not. With a handheld in a complicated lighting situation where there is lots of contrast, shade, light, water, trees and maybe throw in a human or two to add to the fun, you can "walk the scene" with a meter and get a good feeling for what you have to do in the way of shooting and bracketing. Which is just what this old meter was born to do.

[ravncat]

Cool, I was gonna recommend something else before I read this thread (I.e.) off the title...

I use an old gossen Luna Pro - absolultely great for incident readings, which I sometimes prefer. For what you're looking for, I think there's good choices mentioned above

[GreggObst]

I love my Sekonic L-358. I have the optional module to trigger my pocket wizards and it works great. Highly recommended if you really want to nail a consistent exposure.

[sk66]

I don't know about Oympus, but on my Nikons I could always set the diameter of the "center weighted".....Spot is SPOT, one sensor only.

If I want an incident reading I can put a cheap W/B cap on my lens and use the camera.....But I almost never do.

The only reason I can see for a handheld is for studio/strobe work...and a couple test shots negates that need (which you'll probably take anyways)