Incident Light Meter for 200.00 or Less

[David Kashuba]

Suggestions for Incident Light Meter for 200.00 or Less? Small and no batteries a plus.

-David Kashuba.

[Garry Teeple]

The only two that I know of that don't use batteries are the Gossen Pilot and Scout. Both have a limited range.

[Nick_3536]

Just go to one of the big photo websites and sort by price. Should find quite a few I think for $200. That's almost enough to get one of the flash meters. I think some of the basic models are less then $100. Assuming you mean US$.

[L.V. Smith]

I use and like a Weston V with invercone. I bought the meter for $20.00. I sent it to Quality Lite Metric in Hollywood, CA. They installed a new Selenuim Cell, calibrated it to Weston Specifications and sent it back in about 10 days. Cost me $64.00. I have used it to shoot chromes, and they were excellent. You can use it for a reflective meter or with the invercone as an excellent incident meter. You can carry it in a shirt pocket. I doubt now you can get one for $20.00 but one that is in good shape even if the cell is starting to go should not be more than $50.00 with case and invercone. If you can't get an invercone with the meter Quality Lite metric should have them.

[Dan Fromm]

Second the Weston V + Invercone and Quality Light Metric motion. But look QLM up in the phone book, on-line version, call them, and get their address from them. Many, many addresses for QLM have been posted on the 'net and all but one are wrong.

Cheers,

Dan

[Jorge Gasteazoro]

I had the Sekonic L 58 (I think this is the model, the one that is egg shaped) and it worked great for me.

[Jim Rice]

I can second Jorge's recommendation. My version is the L-28 c2 from the '70s. Dead on and easy to use. Compact, no batteries, it could use a little more range on the low end, but other than that, a perfect companion.

[RichSBV]

And noone mentions the Sekonic L-398M Studio Deluxe? Incident, reflective, and with the slides you don't even have to move the dial. One of the best meters ever made and the one I use to double-check all my other meters...

[David R Munson]

I would recommend a used Quantum Calcu-Light XP. I think they're discontinued now, though. Granted, some people have noted battery drain problems, but I've had the same batteries in mine for about 4 years and it's still going strong. It's about the most accurate and sensitive meter I've ever used and it only cost me like $115 new or something crazy like that.

[David A. Goldfarb]

Old Minolta Flashmeters III and IV can be had for under $200.

The tiny Gossen Digisix is quite accurate and compact and in your price range, and they just came out with the Digiflash, just as small, but meters flash as well as ambient.

Used Gossen Luna Pro SBC's should also be under $200.

[Martin Patek-Strutsky]

All meters with a selenium cell share a problem: They don't work in low light at all and loose their accuracy already below about EV 8/9.

If I would need to settle on only one meter in your price range I would look for a used Sekonic L-408. It is small, perfect for incident light metering and has a build-in spot meter (5 degrees) on top .

[Kevin Crisp]

I'll third the Weston Master V + invercone suggestion. It really works great after you get it calibrated by Quality Light Metric.

[Craig Schroeder]

If you don't need flash or extremely low light capability, you couldn't do better than the L-398 Sekonic. I've had one since 1979, it has stayed spot on and remains reliable. I've got more modern meters, but I would certainly rely on the old Sekonic for 95% of what I do with a meter. I've seen many fresh looking used ones floating through the auction site and would guess you could pick one quite easily there. If it's for light duty with potential long periods between spurts of use, the fact that it doesn't rely on batteries is a plus, too.

[L.V. Smith]

Here is the proper address and Phone Number. Quality Lite Metric 7095 Hollywood Blvd., Unit #550, Hollywood, CA 90028. The correct phone number is 323-467-2265. This was current on 5-12-03. If you find this incorrect please let me know. I disagree with Martin concerning Weston V in low light. Mine works well down to EV4 and 5 consistently. Perhaps it is my particular meter? No meter on a camera or hand held is perfect but for size and no battery these meters IF you can find one are hard to beat. I have used mine for several years with good results when I pay attention to what I am doing.

[Larry Miller]

I have a Calcu-Light XP that I use for primarily incident readings. I have found it to be one accurate meter. I believe it goes down to -7 EV and it weighs about 4 ozs., and has a spot meter attachment (10 degrees). Quantum did a very good job on this meter! I also use a Weston Euromaster II. What can you say about the Westons? They have always been great meters. I do wish however that that the EV range was lower on these. You've got selenium vs. SPD cells. Big difference on EV range!!