Spectra or Sekonic

[Rick Darge]

What do you guys like the most? I love my Spectra but wanted to sell it to get a Sekonic, mainly so I don't have to carry a spot meter, it's all built in. Saw some Sekonic L-758Cs for sale on ebay for around $500 out of Hong Kong..

 

[Richard Andrewski]

I like Sekonic for light meters and Kenko for color meters. I have the 758-Cine and its great. I got it in Hong Kong for about $500 but probably not the same re-seller but I did find them on Ebay though.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I own a Sekonics L-758 Cine for light metering.

I've used Minolta CL-200 for color metering- I don't own on though. I borrow from the gaffer, or occasionally rent.

On a related note, has shooting RED changed how you use a color meter?

I find I use one less often, and only in more complicated situations- often just for some troubleshooting.

I can't tell if that's RED, or just me getting better at the job.

 

[Scott Crawley]

I find I use one less often, and only in more complicated situations- often just for some troubleshooting.

I can't tell if that's RED, or just me getting better at the job.

Well, does your color meter usage change when shooting formats other than Red Raw?
Does your confidence come from the fact that you can make post corrections more easily, or because of a superior eye for color?

While I do find my own eye improving, I can't even imagine a day where I might supplement daylight without my meter.

I'm particularly interested in your response because I have yet to shoot Red.

@Topic; I use Sekonic meters, not because of an actual preference but mostly familiarity and habit.

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Well, does your color meter usage change when shooting formats other than Red Raw?
Does your confidence come from the fact that you can make post corrections more easily, or because of a superior eye for color?

While I do find my own eye improving, I can't even imagine a day where I might supplement daylight without my meter.

I'm particularly interested in your response because I have yet to shoot Red.

@Topic; I use Sekonic meters, not because of an actual preference but mostly familiarity and habit.

Well, I guess the answer is "yes."

I do think my eye is getting better, and I think I'm gaining experience, and that's paying off with me spotting issues before they are ever issues.

I do meter other digital formats differently- mostly I don't meter them, because there is no time, no crew and no budget. I think most RGB digital formats are more delicate when it comes to color, so I meter digital formats more than RED.

RED does give me much better post flexibility than other digital systems I've used.

RED is less flexible in post than film, but film is much harder. I have to coordinate with the lab, the scan facility (if it isn't the lab) and the colorist to accomplish things I can handle myself right now with REDCODE.

To answer directly, I think I would be OK lighting in a mixed color temp environment without a color meter when shooting RED or 35. I still need it, but I need it less and less.

So... I think my reduced use of the color meter is due to all the factors you asked about.

I don't think I'll eschew the color meter at any time, but buying my own keeps getting pushed down the "things to buy" list.