Functional, does the work. It was great until I had problems.

From what I have found out, this product has a problem of giving the wrong reading by as much as 2-3 stops. According to where I sent mine in for repair, this is common problem after 2-3 years of usage. I paid about $100 for repair back in 97, now I am having the same problem again.

If you are one of the lucky ones, this product will give you accurate readings for many years (according to others on this list). But those considering buying this product should to put into consideration the posibility of spending $100-$150 for repair every few years.

Customer Service

Not very helpful when I address the issue above. And they charge quite a bit more and takes much longer for the same repair/service. Minolta should consider fixing this problem and have a recall for existing units out there.

Similar Products Used:

None

Reliabilty
AA battery power source
Corded mode

None

Great economical and reliable meter...cheap enough to buy a spare. Very practical tool for any people shooter.

Customer Service

Never needed it ... meter hasn't failed yet,
neither of the pair of them I own!

Similar Products Used:

Minolta IIIF

A casual survay of other pro photogs at workshops and field demo's showed that this meter was used five times as often as any other.

Since they came out with the Minolta 5, the four is less than half the price.

none

Fine working, fits hand nicely, swivel head to point forward or back.

I miss the big dial so I could quickly scan all the f/stop/speed choices, and changing film speed requires clicking through each increment instead of a quicktwist of an inner dial, a hassel if you shoot with two or three films at an event.

Customer Service

NA

Similar Products Used:

Luna Pro

None

None

too bulky, but durable, (Very)
easy to use, wish that they got back-light
drop it a few times and still good
if it's smaller, it would earn a five
but it's bloody reliable so it gets a 4.9,
expensive and good
well at least it delivers

Similar Products Used:

None

It's accurate (always 1/2 stop under with strobe).
Although it feels wimpy its pretty durable.

Have been in a few low light situations where a backlight would be handy.
It's too big, 2x the size of my old Sekonic L-328 with the same features.

I'd buy the Sekonic L-328. It's just as accurate, it's smaller, has a battery meter, and is cheaper. But, I was given this meter to use by my employer and have only wished it was smaller.

Customer Service

Never used them.

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic L-328

Accurate, full featured, ergonomic

None, but I worry about durability (the plastic is not of the most durable variety)

A great all around meter, accurate and easy to use, a good deal if purchased through B&H or other mail order/internet firms

Customer Service

Haven't needed it

Similar Products Used:

Gossen Luna Pro Digital
Gossen Luna Pro F
Gossen Luna Pro
Seikonic flash meter
Minolta III

* simple to use
* dead on accurate

* none

Has everything a photographer needs in a incident (& flash) light meter.

Customer Service

* excellent, quick turn around

Similar Products Used:

* Luna Pro
* Sekonic meters

Light weight, simple to use.

The pin used to tell the meter which dome is installed sticks. This can cause readings to be more than two stops off.

A sound product, but over-priced, in my opinion. This is one of the workhorse meters of the indestry though.

Customer Service

N/A

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic L-508