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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Meters... what do you like?

Jim Hoffman

Jim Hoffman

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Time to buy a new light meter... What do you like - not like???
 
The Spectra IV and Minolta F Spotmeter has been a very reliable combo for me in the past 10 years. I bring them to Lightmetrics for calibration every year and my Spectra comes back untouched as "perfect" every year.

If you want a combo Spot/Incident meter the Sekonic L-758 Cine would be my purchase. The coolest part about the meter is that your Gaffer can "beam" you incident readings onto your meter from around the set from the comfort of your dolly/monitor if he has the same meter...
 
Minolta flash meter VI , Minolta auto meter V , Minolta Spot meter F ...
 
I use the Sekonic L-508c- no complaints! I agree the L-758 looks beautiful... but there are other things I'd rather have for the money. And I'm a director / vfx supervisor, not a DP.

Be aware that there are often student discounts on light meters (I bought mine while at USC for a pretty cheap price) - so keep an eye out for broke film students selling theirs second-hand ;)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com
 
Bruce Allen said:
I use the Sekonic L-508c- no complaints! I agree the L-758 looks beautiful... but there are other things I'd rather have for the money. And I'm a director / vfx supervisor, not a DP.

Be aware that there are often student discounts on light meters (I bought mine while at USC for a pretty cheap price) - so keep an eye out for broke film students selling theirs second-hand ;)

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com
Click to expand...

Wiseman!
 
I use a Minolta flash meter IV, Minolta spotmeter F, and a Spectra IV


Never trusted the Sekonics, especially the spotmeter combos. The spotmeter flairs to easy and gives wrong readings. Your much better off bitingthe bullet and getting dedicated units.

_mike
 
I've got a Sekonic L-358, it's OK. Consistently accurate and easy to use and I guess that's what matters. I wish I would've bought the 758 though, but it at the time it was nearly 3X the price, not sure how they compare now.
 
Sekonic L-608c. Love it. Borrowed it from my Dad and never gave it back.
 
Mike Prevette said:
I use a Minolta flash meter IV, Minolta spotmeter F, and a Spectra IV


Never trusted the Sekonics, especially the spotmeter combos. The spotmeter flairs to easy and gives wrong readings. Your much better off bitingthe bullet and getting dedicated units.

_mike
Click to expand...

I wondered about the combo thing... anyone else have to say about combos one way or the other???? Dedicated units the way to go?
 
I usually keep a Spectra Cine IV handy (always used Spectras since way back when, so I don't know about the others). Nice and simple, but very capable. Sometimes I wish I had the spot metering attachment. Though I never have gotten around to order it.

Photographic2i.jpg
 
Hoffman said:
I wondered about the combo thing... anyone else have to say about combos one way or the other???? Dedicated units the way to go?
Click to expand...

Sekonic dual meter's

Pro's- small, work well, only have to carry 1 meter.

Con's- With only one meter if you have a problem with it on set you are hooped (not as big a problem with a red shoot as compared to a film shoot.)
 
Finner said:
Sekonic dual meter's

Pro's- small, work well, only have to carry 1 meter.

Con's- With only one meter if you have a problem with it on set you are hooped (not as big a problem with a red shoot as compared to a film shoot.)
Click to expand...

What about lens glare with the spot of the Sekonic dual meter?
Does it make sense to have the lens hood accessory?
 
Unless you have only 1 arm flares are not a problem. Just use your left hand to sheild it.
 
I got a Minolta Autometer V that consistently runs out of battery. Happened more than once. I've also got a Sekonic L-398A (the Egg) that never let me down. It's self powered and pretty accurate. The downside is that you cannot adjust ASA (you can but for that you need special shimes to bring down the amount of light hitting the sensor). It is calibrated for 320 ASA which is not so bad for RED.

I rarely need a spotmeter and if I need one the 1st AC got one probably.

Hans
 
If your not one to shoot higher then 300fps I'd go for a Sekonic 558 or 608 but if you do want to have the capability then a Cine model is what you need.

I had a Sekonic 558 Cine but recently lost some gear after a Doc shoot in TX.

Sekonic gives a 30% discount to students. Ebay has been great to me.

I also own a Minolta Color Meter 3F I mainly use it for film shoots that I'm Gaffing/BBE on. Which are happening less and less each year....
 
I have the Sekonic L-758c,

I have it setup with a radio transmitter to fire my 1DIII remotely via the Pocketwizard PLUS II.

This meter is great every one that used loved, for me I had no time yet to use it much but looking forward to learn and use all the so many features it has.

So from a personal experience I can not yet make a sincere comment as before I can form an opinion I must learn how to use it first.

But based on the comments of the ones that use it when I let them in several events, both in photography and in cinematography workflows, I can say that it seems the best all around.

Hope it helps.

Anyway if you need it for a shoot before you buy one I can let you use it, so you can make a better decision.


Ciao,

KETCH ROSSI
 
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