pendragon1957

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

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)

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
2 votes

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

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
2 votes

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

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

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

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Model Reviewed:
Digital Spotmeter

Summary:
I like the digital EV readings in third-stop increments. In manual, it has allowed me to get control of difficult lighting situations--no more muddy yellows and bluish snow.
Also, when using filters, I just reset the "calculator" dial to account for the filter factor, get my EV reading, and choose the shutter/aperture pair that suits the situation. I have had my meter for about eight years---never serviced. Recently I checked it against two other Pentax meters and they all agreed, right to the 1/3 stop.

Strengths:
The narrow angle allows scene brightness ratio to be determined accurately, and is absolutely necessary when applying the Zone technique for color.

Weaknesses:
None. My meter was modified by Zone IV to provide uniform reading for all colors. Not an absolute necessity, but i wanted everything working for me when applying the Zone technique.

Similar Products Used:
Only built-in (10-degree) spot and Ultra-Pro (not with spot adapter). The one-degree angle gives much more precise readi

Customer Service:
None has been required.