melaniec Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I am looking for a handheld light meter. It does not have to be fancy, it does not have to be digital, it just has to work and not be too difficult to understand. I would like to develop my "eye" for exposures and lighting, but it's proving more difficult than I anticipated so it would be nice to have a light meter while I learn to use my M3. I want something as tiny as possible, and as cheap as possible (these conditions may be mutually exclusive, I don't know). Most of the light meters I see for sale are prohibitively expensive. Any recommendations? Thanks, Melanie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_chan4 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Gossen Digisix? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjords Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 gossen digi-six ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredus Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Digisix is cumbersome to use ... And doesn't give you quickly the aperture/speed ... Voigtlander meter II ... not cheap but small !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I use a digisix. I like everything except the lack of an off switch. The battery dies rather quickly, so now I usually take the battery out when not in use. No big deal as long as I can keep from losing the battery, and remember to reset the ISO eac time I put the batt. back in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_evans4 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 The Voigtlaender meter is indeed tiny. But it's not cheap, it's a bit fiddly to use (because it's tiny), and the film speed selector has so little friction that I keep feeling the need to check it. Also, and like perhaps all tiny meters, it can only meter reflected light. The Sekonic L208 "Twinmate" is very roughly the same price as the Voigtlaender. It's much bigger and heavier. But it's still small and light, it's an ergonomic delight, and it can measure incident light. I recommend it (though not for very low light levels). Old meters are plentiful and cheap. If you go shopping for one, take along another meter (e.g. one within a camera, preferably one that meters straightforwardly) for checking it against. (I recently got an ancient "Baby Sekonic" free: I discovered it in the back of a drawer two or three days ago. It seems to work well [it vigorously responds to light] but I can't figure out how to use it. Tips welcome.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I still have a Jessops meter that only cost me 50 GB pounds many years ago (when I needed a cheap meter for using a Rolleicord) and it is robust and reliable and accurate. Well it seems they still sell it.... <a href="http://www.jessops.com/search/viewproduct.cfm?PRODUCT=JESCDSM&BRAND=GOS,JES&CONTINUE=false&FEATS=&FIRSTPRICE=0&KEYWORD=&LEVEL=&MODELNUMBER=&NEWQUERY=True&NODE=365&ORD=ASC&ORDERBY=&QUANTITY=10&RECENT=0&REFINE=&SEARCH_FOR=&SEARCHNODE=0&SEARCHURL=dointellisearch.cfm&SECONDPRICE=999999&SHOWCASEID=&STARTROW=1&SUBS=&WORD_SEARCH=N&">click here</a> ....however it is now 62 GBP which is probably not good value if you are buying it from the USA.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulrik Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Another vote for the Digisix. I see them new for 99 Euros at that auction house. Batteries last for about a year on mine. Ulrik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 OK here is one you may like. It can also be hot shoe mounted on your camera and it is quite cheap and small..... <a href="http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=200224&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation">click here</a><div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Please bear in mind that the picture of the Sekonic is bigger than the real item. The meter is 45mm x 65mm x 24mm and weighs 40g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canfred Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Hi Melanie , I have a Seconic free if you like just shipping costs. The meter is accurate very easy to use has incident and since its Selenium no batterie. It measures 70mm x 45mm x 25mm solid metal case comes with chain and leather case and even the original box. Do not underestimate these old meters I still use my old Gossen Sixtomat when the new one has flat batteries. Mail if intersted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilkka Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Digisix is the smallest but certainly not the cheapest. Sounds like Manfred's offer is clearly the cheapest... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jan_brittenson Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 There's usually a Sekonic L188 in my bag for emergency backup. Doesn't get much smaller or less intrusive than that... I got it in 1986 I think. Still accurate! Goes nicely in a shirt pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simon larbalestier Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 A used Gossen Sixomat is another possible option. I got one recently for less than ﾣ75 GBP. Not that small but very accurate and sensitive to low light situations and you have the option of incident metering which the VC meter doesn't have. just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaelkh Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I have a Digisix, and I concur about it being slower to get aperture and shutter speeds (luckily I use it with a rolleicord which has an EV lock). On balance I'd go with Manfred's offer :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd_phillips1 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Look into the Sekonic L308BII. It is of platic construction, very light. It is about the size of a pack of cigarretes though slimmer.With a neckcord, I keep mine in my shirt pocket and pull out as needed. If I lengthen the cord, I can keep it in my right rear jean pocket. A very good meter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_g1 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I use the Sekonic L-398M - it's relatively small, and very fast and easy to use. Also no batteries! <http://www.sekonic.com/Products/L-398M.html> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul_g1 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 product website: <a href="http://www.sekonic.com/Products/L-398M.html">L-398M</a> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen_S Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 20 years ago I started with a Gossen Bisix 2, a selenium meter which at least fitted into my slacks' frontpocket. It's range was sufficient for handheld photography. At night, with a tripod the by far more sensitive battery operated meters are of course desireable. If you have money, get something with a flash metering option! - You won't regret it in the long run although it might sound a bit strange now. The Gossen Digiflash is just 28 Euro (less than 20%!) above the Digisix - what else would you need? O.K. maybe you aren't dreaming of a studio yet, but if you have some flashmeter you can put some really inexpensive flashes in the corners of a room, to bounce them via walls or ceiling and do really good looking environmental portraits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_morris4 Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I'm happy with the L-208 (as in Trevor's second picture). I especially like that the meter holds the reading for several seconds after you release the button, so that you don't have to point it and read it at the same time. I also like the convenient incident light feature. It weighs nearly nothing, and meters in low enough light for most situations where I think I can hand-hold an M3. That covers a lot of indoor available light stuff. If it were about half as thick, it would be practically perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surdapeen_esetumuch Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 i'm curious to know how Trevor and B&H have the same picture. these whole digital process amaze me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprouty Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 I've had the Digisix for 4 months and really like it. It does stay "on" all the time, but I like that feature, and I haven't had any issues with short battery life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry_rory Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Any advice on a cheap compact meter for Melanie Surdapeen? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdavidprice Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Gossen Pilot II. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottl Posted January 10, 2006 Share Posted January 10, 2006 Weston Master II(old, uses no battery), $10 or less on The Bay. Also, I have a newer Vivitar that I picked up at a photo/video thrift shop for about $10 as well. Works great. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now