Sekonic L-398M Studio Deluxe II Light Meter Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: Christian M Fisker
(Professional)

Review Date
October 19, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 1 of 8

Price Paid: $100.00 from photoshop dk

Summary:

This is a faboulous pro meter which never fails or let you down.In My case i have brought mine anywhere,travelling around often to help metering my old Nikon F or Praktica or even new Canon EOS equipment ! the meter is always very very precise! ¨What i also like so much is simply that it dont need batteries and that it is so simple to read and understand,It is an absolutely classic and a wonderfull working tool. Go for it.DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT***** best regards Christian Maldonado Fisker

Strengths:

All***** easy to read needs no batteries strong built

Weaknesses:

a little heavy can be a little clumsy

Similar Products Used:

many from gossen minolta sekonic...e.q

Customer Service:

none

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Rating
Reviewed by: Austin Moore
(Intermediate)

Review Date
February 25, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Review 2 of 8

Price Paid: $161.00 from B&H

Summary:

This is one kick ass light meter. The great thing about this meter is that it built like a tank and it can go anywhere. Another thing I like about it is that it is easy to use once you get to know it. You can do inciednt and reflective light readings with it. And if you have the set of direct reading slides you don't have to use the dial.

Strengths:

This thing is really solidly built, and it doesn't need batteries, and is a nice size that fits comfortabley in your hand.

Weaknesses:

Photocell deteroriates over time.

Similar Products Used:

Gossen Pilot 2

Customer Service:

Non so far, knock on wood.

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Rating
Reviewed by: joe fazio
(Professional)

Review Date
August 12, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 3 of 8

Price Paid: $120.00 from used

Summary:

great studio meter,but not for travel..too touchy for photographers who do not baby their equipment , swivel head comes loose every once in a while,I had mine for 10 years and it took two trips to the local repair shop to fix the swivel head,but exposures were right on..and an novice could figure out how to use it in a day with i.b.

Strengths:

interchangeable dome and grid,hi slide,easy to use,no batteries.

Weaknesses:

swivel head is weak

Similar Products Used:

lots of different meters ...Gossen,Minolta,etc...

Customer Service:

none

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Rating
Reviewed by: T Samuel
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 13, 2001

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5,
2 votes

Review 4 of 8

Summary:

Seeing some of the old, great cinematographers holding this is enough to convince me.

However I much prefer the simplicity of newer digital meters and I think the old greats would too. I knew people (students) using this meter who blew whole days of shooting because they forgot the "hi" slide was in or they were using the wrong line somewhere on the dial. These are silly mistakes but this meter makes you think a little bit and there is the room for human error. Still, the Studio Deluxe is a very capable tool that has been used by some of the greatest photographers/cinematographers ever so I find it hard to fault this classic instrument.

Strengths:

Classic, tried and true.
No batteries.

Weaknesses:

Can be easy to mess up readings bigtime if you aren't concentrating.

I don't think this meter is all that tough -- the top plastic rotating section snaps off pretty easily at the narrow part. Can be super-glue fixed though.

Similar Products Used:

Flashmate II

Customer Service:

met them, they are like used car salesmen.

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Rating
Reviewed by: David N. VanMeter
(Intermediate)

Review Date
July 6, 2001

Overall Rating
4 of 5

Value Rating
4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 5 of 8

Summary:

This is an excellent all around meter that will work in almost any situation. Throw it in your pocket amd you can go anywhere. I would not say it is accurate enough for shooting chromes but for print film it is just dandy. I plan on using mine till the cell dies.

Strengths:

Swivel Head
Rugged Construction
Variety of info on dial
Small size
No Batteries

Weaknesses:

Cell deteriorates over time. Dust gets under dial... hard to clean

Similar Products Used:

Pentax Spotmeter V

Customer Service:

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