Good, low-cost light meter?

[RoshGlamour]

Our basement flooded and I found out today that my light meter was a casualty. What's a good, low-cost light meter I could pick up to keep me going until the finances get better?

Or should I try having my Minolta Autometer IV repaired?

[pcparrothead]

I would love to know a very LOW budget meter as well. I have never used one, but dont know what to look for. on ebay, or CL, or wherever.

Thanks for any input.

[PhotoDave1]

IMO, the Polaris Light Meter is a good meter and it works. It will measure reflected and incident lighting and can be set for corded flash, cordless flash, and ambient light.

The meter has an adjustment where you can dial in the readings the meter is giving you. Generally the best way to dial in the meter is to take a reading of a subject with the meter and set your camera up manually to take the photo. Next look at the in camera Histogram and adjust the readings from your meter accordingly. If the in camera Histogram is over exposed (Histogram bunching to the right) you need to decrease the reading your meter is giving you and the opposits applies if the Histogram is under exposed (Histogram bunching to the left)

I have seem the Polaris meter with case and manual for under $200.00 new and as low as $150.00 used. Good luck.

[srwatters]

Take a look at the Sekonic 308S. It's a solid basic meter. I used one for a year plus before upgrading to the 358, then finally to the 558 that I use today.

[travlpix]

Can't beat the Sekonic 308. I've been using an older B version for years w/no complaints. Reflected, incident, flash -- does it all, and it fits easily in your pocket.

Mike Smith

[nolaphoto1]

I find the Sekonic L358 easy, accurate, and well, mine took a beating and kept working. It accidentally fell from the light stand I had it hanging from and hit the concrete 5ft below. The only negative about it is the battery it takes. It doesn't use simple AAs or AAAs. It uses a $12 C123A battery. They last forever but it means one more odd size battery you need to have in back-up.

[ErnieR]

I agree that you can't beat the Sekonic L358, I've beat the hell out of mine and it keeps on going. And I got it used from eBay for around $150 and the Pocket Wizard module for another $30. Sorry to hear about that Minolta though, it's a fabulous meter as well. I have one laying here on my desk as a mater of fact, the only reason I got the Sekonic was for the Pocket Wizard trigger module.

We have a couple of the Shepherd Polaris meters at the office and they are pretty good and decently priced new.

[kevinpieper]

Sekonic L358 has been in my bag for about 10 years -- runs about $250-260 new. Great model, still made new, proven "winner" of a light meter. What is your budget?