Sekonic L-208, any comments or recommendation of lightmeters to be used with the Leica rangerfinders?

thanks.

-- alfred (cnka@pacific.net.sg), March 18, 2002

Answers

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-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), March 18, 2002.

Hi Alfred, I have been using the 308 for a number of years now. If all you need is a basic incident/reflected lightmeter (with flash capacity) it is hard to beat. Very compact and pockatable, takes 1 AA battery and with easy one hand operation. Here in the UK they are only £125 ($180).

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 19, 2002.

I can't think of any meter I would recommend more than the L-208 for use with a handheld camera. It clips into the shoe, reads an angle approximate to a 90mm lens, and has a button that locks in the reading long enough to meter at eyelevel.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), March 19, 2002.

Oops! I referred to the 308 not 208, anyway my comments on the 308 still stand. I too have been looking into getting a 208 as a slightly smaller and more importantly old style analogue dial meter.

Unfourtunatly Sekonic's UK importers don't bring them in and US dealers want $240+ - a ridiculous price when you consider the cheaper but higher spec 308 also with flash capability.

-- Giles Poilu (giles@monpoilu.icom43.net), March 19, 2002.

Over here in Singapore, retailers are selling NEW Sekonic 208 Twinmate for US $125 dollars.

-- alfred (cnka@pacific.net.sg), March 19, 2002.

Alfred,

I have used the Sekonic L-208 only in the shop. It is a very light analog style meter with a sensitive silicon cell and a decent incident capability.

The only shortcoming (to me). It is a little bulky (thick) top to bottom. Alfred, do try it out in the store and see if you are happy with it in the hot shoe. If yes, and you are OK with the price, just get one.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 19, 2002.

Alfred, in addition to the Sekonics (I have the 308BII) do check out the Gossen Lunapro Digital or Digital F (with flash). It has some significant advantages over the shirt pocket 308bII. Advantages of the Lunapro. The ISO speed is always on display. The shutter speed is always displayed. The meter does not shut off and lose its readings after a short intreval. It has an fstop scale display. Taking contrast readings is a snap because the light readings in f-stops are displayed on the scale. It is just as small and pocketable.

However the incident dome in on the front side, rather than the flat side. Depending on your wrist action, this could be a little less ergonomic for you.

But do check the larger incident meters out.

However, for most purposes the 208 will meter perfectly well.

-- Mani Sitaraman (bindumani@pacific.net.sg), March 19, 2002.