Light Meter options

[gsphoto]

I have read as much as I can find in the archive regarding Spot Meters and wondered what my options are as so many are no longer manufactured.
I currently have a MinoltaIVF with a 5 degree attachment which it seems is not a narrow enough angle of measurement.
I have found a Pentax Spot meter for sale but its the analogue model, how does this compare to the digital version?
George.

[Rob.B]

I use a Sekonic L-758D. It has reflective, incident, flash modes as well as being able to function as a 1 degree spot meter. Great piece of kit; not cheap but worth every penny.

I have a Grossen spotmaster about to go onto Ebay, lovely meter, a bit odd with it's controls, also supports zone metering, but eat's batteries. No off switch, it just goes to sleep (still drains the battery though, Grossen say it's normal)!

Rob.

[gsphoto]

Hi Rob,
It's funny but I have just been looking at the 785D and it does seem to offer all you would need from a meter. I use a flash meter quite a lot so this would double up for my LF use as well and make the cost easier to bare.
Thanks.

[DJ]

Another shout for Sekonic, I use a 608 which has the 1degree spot meter, reflective and incident, and the dual ISO function for adding in filter and reciprocity compensation is incredibly useful. As previously stated, they're not cheap, but they are very good.

[gsphoto]

Thanks DJ,
Looks like I will have to do some saving.
George.

[Joanna Carter]

Can I recommend the Kenko KFM-2100? It used to be the Konica Minolta Flash Meter VI until that company closed.

It is a very capable meter and offers the neat addition of being able to define the exposure range of the film you are using, take a shadow or highlight reading and tell you the correct reading, based on the range of the film that yo have entered.

And it costs less than the Sekonic.

[gsphoto]

Thanks Joanna,
I'll have to do some research as I did,nt know about these even though I use a Minolta IV F(15 yr old). I see RW have them in at £195+theft.
George.

[Rob.B]

Hi Rob,
It's funny but I have just been looking at the 785D and it does seem to offer all you would need from a meter. I use a flash meter quite a lot so this would double up for my LF use as well and make the cost easier to bare.
Thanks.

If you don't shoot any or alot of Digital stuff you could go for the non "D" version, as you wouldn't use the sensor profiling. (This bit is non LF - sorry); My wife and I both have canon 40D's and believe it or not the sensor profiles for each are different particularly at higer ISO, with the 785D we store both camera profiles in the meter. ( Non LF bit finished).

Rob.

[Joanna Carter]

£195+theft.

I've just checked other suppliers and, at that price, you would be wise getting that ordered ASAP!!!

[Keith Tapscott]

I have read as much as I can find in the archive regarding Spot Meters and wondered what my options are as so many are no longer manufactured.
I currently have a MinoltaIVF with a 5 degree attachment which it seems is not a narrow enough angle of measurement.
I have found a Pentax Spot meter for sale but its the analogue model, how does this compare to the digital version?
George.

I have a Minolta Spotmeter F, but my favourite lightmeter is my 35mm Canon EOS SLR Camera, film for film and filter for filter of which I transfer the readings to my LF lenses.

[gsphoto]

Hi Keith,
I had thought about using my D3's spot metering but I don,t want the extra weight.
I,m currently weighing up the option between the KFM-2100 and the L-785D as they will fit into my pack and not add to much to the load I will have to carry.
George.

[Peter B]

I have a Grossen spotmaster about to go onto Ebay, lovely meter, a bit odd with it's controls, also supports zone metering, but eat's batteries. No off switch, it just goes to sleep (still drains the battery though, Grossen say it's normal)!

Rob.

Ah, so it's not just mine that eats batteries then?

[richard littlewood]

I had a battery eating problem with a Minolta meter, always left the battery in while taking photographs, but at the end of the day I took the battery out till next time, and it really lasted an amazing length of time.

[gsphoto]

Thanks for all the helpful advice.
In the end money ruled and I went for the Kenko KFM-2100 which has just arrived from RW at £195.00+Vat and on first impressions looks quite a solid piece of kit.
George.