Pentax Digital Spotmeter Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Brett Buck
(Expert)

Review Date
January 8, 2009

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 1 of 6

Price Paid: $400.00 from camera shop

Summary:

I bought mine used about 20 years ago but it was mint. It works just about perfectly and there aren't really a lot of good alternatives if you need to determine contrast ranges/Zone system. And, unlike a lot of other meters, it uses a commonly-available silver oxide battery instead of a mercury cell (banned for absolutely no good reason - mercury is so bad someone ought to ban CFL lamps first).

The only issue I have ever had is that sometimes there is a lot of flare on the display that makes it hard to read, particularly in bright light.

Strengths:

Very good accuracy, very good build quality, uses commonly available batteries.

Weaknesses:

Very expensive, sometimes has excess flare/reflections that make the display hard to read

Similar Products Used:

Minolta spotmeter

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Rating
Reviewed by:

pendragon1957
( Expert)

Review Date
July 5, 2004

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.33 of 5,
3 votes

Review 2 of 6

Price Paid: $289.00 from Pro Shop in NYC

Summary:

Simple to use, compact, reliable and extremely accurate. Have been using this same meter since I purchased it in NYC about 22 years ago and it has never failed me for Zone and color photography whether shooting 4x5 large format or medium format.

Strengths:

Simple, compact reliable, accurate

Weaknesses:

Has gotten very pricey to replace and doesn't have Zone scale. This was made under the old Asahi/Pentax name and Pentax will not service too much longer because of the Asahi name.

Similar Products Used:

Gossen Luna-Pro S Gossen Luna-Pro (25 yrs old- backup meter) Sekonic L418 (backup meter)

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Rating
Reviewed by: Jason Dean
(Intermediate)

Review Date
June 11, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 6

Price Paid: $800.00 from Calumet

Summary:

My meter was modified by Zone VI studios, so it cost me a little more than the standard meter. I wanted to pay the extra, because I do a great deal of Black and White work. I do occasional color work, but this meter is really not suited for that type of photography.

Strengths:

Small (1 degree) metering field, Zone scale on meter, highly sensitive and precise.

Weaknesses:

High price. Difficult to use with Color print film

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic L-408

Customer Service:

Not needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Vish Vishvanath
(Professional)

Review Date
November 2, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 4 of 6

Price Paid: $270.00 from Blacks & Lizar, Edinburgh

Summary:

If you use the zone system, this is the meter for you. If you believe in visualization, this is definitely the meter for you. Try and find one second-hand (like I did, hence the price), you'll never let it go.

Strengths:

Build quality, accuracy. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

None

Customer Service:

Never required

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Rating
Reviewed by: collyer young
(Casual)

Review Date
May 15, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 5 of 6

Model Reviewed:
Digital Spotmeter

Summary:

If you want a very good product and can afford it, go for it.

Strengths:

very accurate, build quality very high

Weaknesses:

price

Similar Products Used:

None

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