I finally decided to get a new light meter. After nearly ten years with a Gossen Digisix the time had come to step up to a meter that would also do flash. This will only be the first impressions I gathered so far. I actually ordered a L-758DR but the shop managed to deliver only the L-758D and will now send me the optional RT module. I can live with that as it saves me from returning the meter in exchange for the DR version.

Sekonic L-758D

As expected it came nicely packaged with a pouch, a battery, manuals, the software and a strap. Compared to the little Gossen “egg” it is quite a big piece of gear. But it’s light-weight and feels nicely in the hand. All possible modes, settings and functions may seems quite overwhelming at first glance but the manual is well written and the meter is easy to use. The basic metering is easily possible without reading the manual…

So far I only did some toying around to get to know all functions and get used to the handling. It helps to know your gear when you are about to use it 😉 I did some side by side metering to compare to the old meter and both gave the same readings (for the metering modes the Digisix offers). While happily metering away – when using the spot meter I found the memory button a little hard to press at first try without moving the meter away from the eye – but I account that to my rather big hands and I think a little practise will help to fix that.

Also the range of possible apertures/exposure times is pretty impressive. f/161 – wow. Though I know wish it would go to something like f/210. That would definitely rock for pinhole fans. I wonder if this could be overcome with simple firmware update (if the meter allows that). Along the same lines 1/1000th sec exposure time for flash sync – there are some cameras or rather lenses that sync up to 1/1600th sec. How to meter for that? Firmware update coming/possible? Well – I don’t think I could ever afford such a camera lens combo but one can dream 😉

One of the things that I find most impressing is the possibility to calibrate for a given camera. The software to do this is included but the calibration target is optional. So the software at this point is pretty useless. I wonder how much the target can cost (in terms of production cost) to not include it with a meter in that price range. My guess would be that 10 bucks on top of the price for the meter and the target included could make some folks buy the L-758D a little quicker.

Anyway I’m pretty impressed by the design and build quality and the ease of use. The only thing I may really miss is the countdown timer the Digisix has. But for that the little egg may keep me company…

Next up will be some real test and the quest to conquer the mysteries of metering…