Pentax Digital Spotmeter Light Meters

Pentax Digital Spotmeter Light Meters 

DESCRIPTION

  • 1º measuring angle
  • Super-Multi-Coated optics
  • Range: EV1-EV20
  • LED digital display

  • USER REVIEWS

    Showing 1-6 of 6  
    [Jan 08, 2009]
    Brett Buck
    Expert

    Strength:

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

    Weakness:

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

    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.

    Similar Products Used:

    Minolta spotmeter

    OVERALL
    RATING
    4
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Jul 05, 2004]
    pendragon1957
    Expert

    Strength:

    Simple, compact reliable, accurate

    Weakness:

    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.

    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.

    Similar Products Used:

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

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [May 15, 2000]
    collyer young
    Casual
    Model Reviewed: Digital Spotmeter

    Strength:

    very accurate, build quality very high

    Weakness:

    price

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

    Similar Products Used:

    None

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Nov 02, 2000]
    Vish Vishvanath
    Professional

    Strength:

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

    Weakness:

    None

    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.

    Customer Service

    Never required

    Similar Products Used:

    None

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    [Jun 11, 2001]
    Jason Dean
    Intermediate

    Strength:

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

    Weakness:

    High price. Difficult to use with Color print film

    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.

    Customer Service

    Not needed

    Similar Products Used:

    Sekonic L-408

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    4
    [Aug 17, 1999]
    R.T. Hasbrouck
    Intermediate
    Model Reviewed: Digital Spotmeter

    Strength:

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

    Weakness:

    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.

    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.

    Customer Service

    None has been required.

    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

    OVERALL
    RATING
    5
    VALUE
    RATING
    5
    Showing 1-6 of 6  

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