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Buying a light meter: alternatives to Sekonic L-558?

P

pixelatedscraps

New Member
I'm going to be buying a new light meter in the next week or so and have got my eye on the Sekonic L-558 although it is a bit more than I'd like to spend. I was just wondering if there are any cheaper alternatives for light meters which can do spot, incidence and flash metering with a viewfinder display, or should I push my budget and eat cup noodles for the rest of the month?

Thanks
 
I have recently changed from a Gossen (Lunasix F) to a Sekonic L-758 which I personally find well made with all the buttons in the right places etc. My exposures have improved considerably - I'd go the pot noodle route if I were you.

Mail me if you're interested in purchase details.
 
Oof, they're expensive though ($500+) I am also partial to buying an older, 2nd hand model if anyone knows of any. My first choice was getting an L-608 off eBay but thought with delicate electronics like this, it would be wiser to buy new.

Thanks for the info sportback, I may contact you.
 
When I looked for a spotmeter I saw the L-358 and the L-758 - no idea the L-558 had ever existed! I can only imagine that the L-758 is a later version of the same type of thing.
 
I use the Minolta Flashmeter VI. It provides incident, spot and flashmeter capability all in one unit. Unfortumately, Minolta is out of the meter business.

This same meter is now being sold under the Kenko name. You may be able to find the Minolta one used on ebay, that's where I got mine for approx $300. I don't know the retail pricing on the Kenko version.

Good luck.

Ron
 
Minolta, Kenko?

What about a decent Gossen light meter?
Anything from a Profisix, Lunasix, Multisix till Mastersix goes.
Nothing more elegant and user friendly than a Spotmaster!

Only thing against Mastersix and Spotmaster was the price when new.
MRP for this pair was about 2000 euro.


Paul
 
I picked up the Sekonic L-758 for 300€ a few weeks ago...

I imagine the 'DR' version with WiFi and integrated ironing board is probably more expensive.
 
sportback said:
I picked up the Sekonic L-758 for 300€ a few weeks ago...

I imagine the 'DR' version with WiFi and integrated ironing board is probably more expensive.
Click to expand...

DR stands for Deluxe Razor.
Nice to have around with a two day beard after a long shooting trip in the mountains.


Paul
 
Thanks for the comments guys - I was looking into the Minolta and Pentax spot meters but I'm leaning towards something new so that there's a warranty on it. I'm just imagining the abuse some of the ones on eBay have been through and how flimsy they feel. eek..
 
I ended up going with the L-758D as the L-558 isn't available anymore. Cost me HK$3050 / US$390 and is so far a joy to use - both with my 500CM and my Mamiya 6.

Highly recommended!
 
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