pentax digital spot meter vs. sekonic L-508 for 4x5 feild/zone system

[john5]

At the moment I'm using a pentax digital spot meter and playing around with the zone system. I like it. It's simple,familiar, and accurate {the meter, not the zone system}. Recently a L-508 caught my eye with all these fancy-schmancy features along with the ability to meter flash as well. Now I'm wondering if anyone has used the L-508 out in the field with it's multipul metering options. I guess what I'm really asking is the L-508 like one of those redesigned tooth brushes that don't work any beter than the plain ones but cost twice as much?

[daniel_taylor1]

the Sekonic L-508 is a wonderful, general-purpose light meter.

however, as reported by many, the ambient light metering is a half-

stop to full-stop underexposing. also, it does not do as good a job

in flash, and flash/ambient metering scenarios as the Minolta

Flashmeter V. still, it is a very nice meter once it is set up to

measure accurately.

 

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search the archives, for my assessment on its flash metering, memory

applications, user-interface, and workarounds for some of its

limitations. it is the swiss-army knife of meters, and it does a good

job for most non-flash applications.

[glenn_kroeger]

John: I've been looking into a new spot meter, and solicited

responses just last week. The major complaint about the L508 is the

lack of any information in the viewfinder. Each spot reading requires

that you take your eye away from the viewfinder and look at the side

of the meter... which makes it slow to scan a scene for tonal range.

The Pentax got the most thumbs up, followed by the Minolta.

[brad_evans2]

Well, I'm with Glenn, above. One of the pleasures of using the Pentax

is that it is simple to use. You can rapidly assess the range of the

scene before you without taking your eye away from the viewfinder. And

this lets you quickly identify problem areas. As you are already using

the Pentax, try visualizing what it would be like not being able to

quickly scan your scene.

 

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Also nice is the exposure ring shows all aperture/speed combinations

simultaneously.

 

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The Pentax is one of those rare pieces of equipment where the

simplicity of the design makes it a joy to use. As much as I like

technology, I'm not willing to give up ease of use and efficiency for

extra modes and LCD panels. Of course, the fact that my wristwatch

didn't come pre-installed with a windows-based operating system

probably makes me a Luddite.

[neil_poulsen1]

I think that gizmo's can get in the way. Pentax has such a nice

simple readout that I would stick with this meter. And, it's easy to

do the translation to the zone system. Perhaps I'm repeating the

obvious, but I use the following simple system for my Pentax V.

 

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Locate the feature in the image that you want place on Zone 3 as your

shadow, and let's say the meter reads EV7 for this feature. The

difference is 4. (7-3=4) Thereafter, subtract "4" from each

subsequent EV reading to obtain the correct zone with respect to that

Zone 3 placement. When you're ready to expose, add "5" to this

difference of "4" to obtain the EV meter reading on which you would

base your selection of aperture and shutterspeed.

 

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For example, suppose in a sticks and stones image that you want to

place a certain rock at Zone 3 as your shadow with detail, and

that your meter reading is EV9. Subtracting, the difference is "6".

Let's say that you've found a highlighted wood feature that you want

to place on Zone 7, and that the meter reading for this feature is

EV14. Subtracting "6", you find that this feature falls on Zone 8.

(14-6=8.) Therefore, to develop so that this feature becomes a Zone

7, you will need an N-1 contraction. To make the exposure, add "5" to

the difference of "6" to obtain use a meter reading of EV11 (11=5+6)

that you would use to obtain the correct shutterspeed and aperture.

 

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This may be complicated to write, but it's simple to use. Just

subtract the difference.

[pemongillo]

If you are going to shoot the Zone System stick with the Pentax. I

have used both meters. Neil, I'm not sure why you are doing all

that math. Why don't you just get yourself a Zone System scale from

Calumet for $3.00 and glue it to your meter. You will never have to

do the math again.

[bob_moulton1]

The Pentx is a great meter; so is the minolta Spotmeter F. It also

has flash capability. The meter is accurate and durable. You can

easily scan a subject, with the meter set to EV and find the range of

the scene. You can meter the shadow area you wish to place low, touch

the "A" button and then meter other areas to determine the EV of

those. So as you meter you learn the scale of the scene and thus the

development-n, N+, N-, etc. And the shadow area you metered is still

in the unit. So when you finish scanning you can convert EV to F

stop, determine your exposure and shoot.

If you need the flash capability I think you will find the Minolta an

excelent choice.

Bob

[dan_smith]

If you get the Sekonic you will find the meter reading activated by

pressing with the thumb. The Minolta and your Pentax activate by

pressing with the 'trigger finger'. I have used the Sekonic and find

myself pushing the meter away from myself as I meter while both of

the others I keep in place. I have to make a conscious effort to keep

it in place when using the Sekonic. I like both the others and have

both. If you find the need for an incident meter as well, consider

the Calculite models which are very small, light and inexpensive.

[paul_owen]

Sorry guys but I'm going to stick my neck out in favour of the L508.

IMHO it really is a superb piece of equipment. I have not noticed any

of the deviations as far as 1/2 to a stop underexposure, although I

know that a few of the "early" test meters used for reviews did

suffer in this department. As for not having any info in the

eyepiece, I find this quite acceptable, it leaves my eye free to

concentrate on the area I am metering rather than wandering around

looking for exposure info!

Having an adjustable spot metering (zoom) area is a big advantage,it

is weatherproof and has an easy to read, LARGE, display. All in all a

thumbs up from one satisfied user!! Regards Paul