Sharing my Sekonic 758 Cine experience

[Michele Lombardo]

Hi everybody,
after some weeks spent in testing and understanding the Sekonic 758Cine, these are my results:

- I used the Sekonic Target II
- I used the grey side to measure the white balance and checking to have the same light on all the surface (I used two Kino)
- RED MX false color helped me to easily set up the Kinos, achieving a total "green" on all the target
- I checked with the 758 the lighting on all surface
- I turned the target
- RED MX was set: ISO 500, 29.97fps, 180° shutter, T5.6
- 758 was set: ISO 500, 30fps (cine mode), 180°
- Sekonic DTS software starts asking the two measurements (incident and reflective): ISO 500, shutter 1/60th and the apertures measured were 5.6/0 and 5.6/0 (I had the same)
- Then I shot 3 mini video: a "flat" one (0EV), one at T2.0 (+3.0EV) and one at T16 (-3.0EV)
- I export three TIFF frames from RedCine-X Pro
- I converted them in JPG using Photoshop (discarding color profiles)
- I put these three jpgs in the DTS software
- NO ERRORS AFTER PROCESSING DATA!!!
- I upload the profile to the 758

After this process I wanted to double check the 758 was correctly calibrated: framing the Target II, I changed Tstop, ISO, or fps... Sekonic 758Cine and RED MX false color were ALWAYS equal (measuring the 18% grey).
I attach my graph!


I also check the noise area and the clipping area: noise stars BELOW 2.0 FL and clipping area starts BEYOND 53 FL.


What do u think?

Michele

 

[Michael Panfeld]

Well, my Italian is good enough to see that the Scarlet has 14.5 stops of dynamic range. I think that is pretty much in line with RED's specs. Its also pretty darn amazing compared to the DR of video cameras just 3 years ago.

FYI, I just exchanged emails with a Sekonic rep this AM who has confirmed that, at some point in 2012, Sekonic will release a firmware upgrade for the 758 Cine. Another source, who claims to be beta testing the firmware, said that it will make the meter better suited to filmmakers, as opposed to still photogs.

Michele: Care to share the profile file? In theory, anybody could use it to do some location scouting.

I think it would also be nice to have profiles for a range of cameras, such that I could take my meter to a potential location, upload a few profiles, take readings, and then would be able to make some informed decisions (or at least have ammo to convice the produer that I need Camera A to do the job).

 

[Kwan Khan]

some point in 2012, Sekonic will release a firmware upgrade for the 758 Cine.

+1,
Any idea ... Summer, fall or Winter?

 

[Michael Panfeld]

The rep was quiet on the timing. The beta tester said early 2012. Its all speculation at this point.

 

[Kwan Khan]

Fantasticoo..

 

[Jean Déraps]

This would be nice

 

[Kemalettin Sert]

whats the lowest tstop 758cine can read??

 

[Nathaniel Kramer]

I still can not figure out how to change frame rate from 24fps to 48fps or to change shutter angle/shutter speed from 1/48th/ 180 sec to another angle/speed

any advice?

 

[Arthur Woo]

Nathaniel you prob figured it out but this vid is helpful http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zXA0M_HHM0&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

[Tarek salman]

to change the angle on light meter .you have to push two of those bottom at same time than dial the angle you want on wheel, I did that long time, I don't remember which bottom but you can find it in manual.

 

[Tarek salman]

Hello there to change shutter angel press iso2 and mode bottom at same time and turn the wheel. let me know if that help