Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bill, I have Sekonic's "Studio de luxe II L-398M", a classic design with analog, logarithmic readout, traditional calculator dial, selen cell, and hence no battery. Its nice oval shape fits perfectly into your hand. For a selen meter it is relatively sensitive, but certainly not the best tool for available light shots. Set at 400ASA, the lowest reading you can reliably get is 1/30" and f=1:1,4. You switch between high and low sensitivity by inserting or removing a slide in front of the selen cell which otherwise is hidden in a slot at the backside. You can use it for reflective light metering by replacing the hemisphere with another pice of plastic, but then sensitivity is down to 1/125" with f=1:4 at 400ASA. It is not perfect at all, but rugged and, I have to repeat that, works without battery and as such is the perfect complement to a mechanical M. What I do not like is the ASA setting which cannot be locked. In Germany it is below DM 300. If you want a more sensitive, digital meter or additional features (flash metering, spot metering etc.), go for their other models, but I have no experience with them. Just check their website at www.sekonic.com. I would not recommend a Leicameter. I got a broken MC free of charge with a banged-up M3. I got the M3 repaired, but not the MC, because the dial is tiny and the meter is one or two stops less sensitive than the Sekonic. The later MR or MR4 are better in this respect, but depend on a 1,35V mercury battery which is still available in Germany, but apparently not in the US. If, however, there is somebody out there who could give a hint on repair cost. Presumably, the selen cell needs to be replaced. Hans-Peter