Exposure Meters for Large Format

Bill Kumpf

I am faced with replacing a light meter that has served me well for several years.
My Sekonic L328 is presenting a blank screen. This was, in conjunction with a
Pentax Spotmeter V, the bases of my metering kit. Realizing that the age factor is
working on both meters, I am considering combining the most used features of
both meters into one unit.
What features do I use the most? Based on my style of photography, the Pentax
one degree spot meter provides the most used feature. Approximately 60 -70 per
cent of my large format work is B&W scenic shots. I use a simplified zone system
that requires scanning the scene for the range of exposure values. The remaining
work utilizes the incident measuring feature of the Sekonic meter. It is used for
portraits and for monitoring for changes in the light during a shooting session.
A replacement meter would include both incident and reflected measuring
modes. Other features would include a swivel head for convenient in measuring
incident light, ease of zone system calculations, and backpacking compatibility.
Your preferences will vary depending on your personal style.
Color meters were not considered due to cost nor were meters without spot
measuring capability. The comparison chart was emailed to each vendor for their
corrections and comments. Bogan Imaging, Omega Satter, and Sekonic respond-
ed to my responses with pdf versions of the operation manuals. Spectra Cine
provided a hard copy while THK Photo emailed a pdf version of the sale brochure
off their web site.
The following chart was complied from sales brochures, dealer information
and responses from the various vendors. The vendor web sites are a valuable
source of information. The Sekonic web site, for example, provides pdf versions
of current and discontinued meter operating manuals. The battery Selector Chart
also provides the dates for the various meters. The Gossen site also offers pdf
versions of discontinued manuals.
Prices are from the internet.
Of course this was the easy part. A hands-on evaluation is next with the deci-
sion on which unit to buy and then, testing to calibrate my photo process.
And as the saying goes: Product specifications are subject to change without
notice.

52 JULY/AUGUST 2009
 Meter Survey
Gossen Kenko Polaris Sekonic Spectra
Starlite 2 KFM-1100 KFM-2100 Dual 5 Flash L-358 L-758DR IV-A-SP
Sensor 2 Silicon Photo
2 Silicon Photo Silicon Photo Silicon Photo Silicon Photo 2 Silicon Photo Silicon Photo
(Incident/Reflected)
Head Style
Diffuser Style Adjustable Interchangeable Interchangeable Interchangeable Adjustable Adjustable Interchangeable
270 rotating head Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Shutter Speed (m to s) 60 to 1/8000 30m to 1/8000 30m to 1/16000 1m to 1/8000 60 to 1/8000 30 to 1/8000 30m to 1/8000
Aperture Range f1.0 to f 128 f1.0 to f90.9 f1.0 to f128.9 f2.0 to f90.9 f1.0 to f90.9 f0.5 tof162.2 f0.35 to f128
Film Speed ISO 3 to 8000 3 to 8000 3 to 8000 3 to 8000 3 to 8000 3 to 8000 3 to 8000
increment 1/3 stops 1/3 stops 1/3 stops 1/3 stops 1/3 stops 1/3 stops 1/3 stops
Ambient mode
Incident Range EV @100 -2.5 to 18 -2.0 to 19.9 -2.0 to 19.9 1.0 to 19.9 -2 to 22.9 -2 to 22.9 na
Reflected Sensor Angle
Adjustable
40 1 5 54 1 1
1 or 5
Range Reflected na optional na na -2 to 22.9 na
1 2.0 to 18 na 2.0 to 24.5 na 5 to 24.4 1 to 24.4 f0.35 to f128
5 0.0 to 18 optional na 2 to 24.4 na
View Finder Angle 12 NOT FOUND 12 x 17 62-70 42 x 42
Flash mode `
Incident Range f1.0 to f128 f1.0 to f90.9 f1.0 to f128.9 1.0 to 19.9 f1.0 to f124 f0.5 to f161.2 na
Range Reflected NOT FOUND na na f1.0 to f124 na na
1 f2.8 to f128 na f2.8 to f128.9 na f.8.0 to f124 f2.0 to f161.2 na
5 f1.4 to f128 f1.0 to f90.9 na f2 to f90.9 f2.8 to f124 na na
Flash Trigger Cord/Cordless Both Both Both Both Both Both na
Flash sync speed 1 to 1/1000 1s to 1/500 30m to 1/1000 1s to 1/500 30m to 1/8000s 30m to 1/8000s na
Flash to ambient ratio Shows both f stops 0 to 100% by 25% 0 to 100% by 25% na 0 to 100% by 10% 0 to 100% by 10% na
Multi flash 9 NOT FOUND NOT FOUND 9 9 Yes na
Memory slots 9 2 10 0 9 9 2
Shutter/Aperture Priority Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Shutter
LCD Digital LCD Digital LCD Digital LCD Digital LCD Digital LCD Digital LCD Digital
Display
Analog Scale Analog Scale Analog Scale Analog Scale Analog Scale Analog Scale Analog Scale
EV Scale Yes -17 to 40.9 -17 to 40.9 -4 to 26 -9.9 to 40.1 -9.9 to 46.6 na
f1.0 to f128 f1.0 to f90 f0.7 to f90
Analog Scale f1.0 to f90 f1.0 to f90 Fraction f stop f0.7 to f45
Zone 0-X 2s to 1/4000 7.0 EV
Exposure Compensation -7.9 tc 7.5 10 10 0.9 EV 9.9 EV 9.9 EV
Contrast Ratio Yes 10 stops 10 stops Yes Yes 9.9 EV 12 stops
Value Averaging Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Resolution 0.1 EV 0.1 EV 0.1 EV 0.1 EV 0.1 EV 0.1 EV 0.1 EV
Battery 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 1.5V 3V 3V 6V
Type AA AA AA AA CR123A CR123A PX281
SIZE HxWxD mm 164x66x26 57x157x26 66x175x31 65x148x22 60x155x37 90x170x48 140x64x50
Weight g (w/o Battery) 195 135 185 115 153 w batt 268 w batt 170
Warranty (month) 12 12 12 24 36 36 24
Cine Cine Cine Cine Cine Cine

Added Features Advance Features

Exposure readout Splash proof Available in colors
Splash proof Splash proof
in view finder Tripod socket Various probes
Tripod socket
Photosphere,
Case, strap,
Lumgrid, case, photodisc, 1
Cord, case, Spherical diffuser, Spherical diffuser, terminal cap, lens
Accessories Included Neck Strap, case strap, terminal photspot, cases,
battery, manual neck strap, case Strap, case cap, software,
cap, battery strap, battery
cord, battery
manual
Internet Price
meter $600 $259 $479 $300 $259 $499 $799
spot attachment $60 $150
5 Spot Finder Pocket Wizard Pocket Wizard
Optional Accessories Flat Diffuser Flat Diffuser Diffuser Hood 1,5.10 Spot Exposure profile
Reflected light Attachments target
Web Site boganimaging.com THKPhoto.com omegasatter.com sekonic.com spectracine.com
6/15/2009

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