Recommendations on a new light meter...

J

johnwartjr

Senior Member
I've been using a Sekonic L328 for awhile now, a leftover from the family photography business in the late 80s through mid 90s.

It worked great, but it was the sole survivor out of the 3 that were purchased new. Not that it owed anyone anything, it was over 20 years old.

I priced out a repair with Sekonoic, and while the $100 or so they quoted didn't sound unreasonable, I also wonder if maybe I should just move to something a little newer :)

I see Sekonic has several options. The L478DR looks interesting, will drive my Pocket Wizards if I want to trip them with it, even.

But, it comes in at around $475. I'll spend $475 if there's a good reason, or a need, to spend $475, but I have to wonder if maybe I don't need 'that much meter'. I think the L478DR will do everything I need, even more, so I want to set my budget 'ceiling' at $500 on the top end. Having said that, I've got a wants list as well, and if I can get by spending less here, I can put it into my kit somewhere else.

I use it to test ambient light as well as my strobes and speedlights.

Any suggestions or recommendations?
 
S

STM

Senior Member
I am not familiar with the L-328 but I use an L-358 as both an ambient and flash meter and love it. My old Minolta Flashmeter IV finally gave up the ghost after 20 years. The Sekonic is far more capable and a lot easier to use to do flash ratios (for outdoor fill) and multi-light setups
 
Browncoat

Browncoat

Senior Member
I still use the L-328. No frills, just dead reliable and gets the job done. My only complaint is that it uses a specialty battery and not AA or AAAs.

If I had to replace it tomorrow, I'd probably go with the L-478D, just the bare bones version of the DR. Personally, I don't see a use for the extra bells and whistles, but that's just me.
 
J

johnwartjr

Senior Member
As an update...

I picked up a L-468DR gently used from another photographer for $300. I have not had the opportunity to use it a lot yet, but what I see, I like.

It gives me another excuse to get the camera out and play with it :)
 
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