Help! Sekonic l-488 Calculation Dial

[easytiger]

Hi all,

Recently I acquired a Sekonic l-488 Digi-Spot from KEH. It works great and is a nice alternative to the more expensive Pentax and Minolta spot meters. However, I have a question about the calculating indicator on its side. What do the letters U, S, A, C, H, O stand for? The manual says only:

"Measure the shadow part of the subject and read the EV value displayed (for example, EV 8). If you use a color film, set the EV 8 to the S-scale (or to the U-scale if you use monochrome film) by rotating the calculation dial.

Next measure the highlight part of the subject and read the EV value displayed (for example, EV 12). Check whether or not the EV 12 is within the range of "H" (or within the range of "O" in the case of monochrome film."

So I can figure out some of the letters and the proper exposure, but I still don't know what the letters stand for or why they are used. Can anyone help?

[easytiger]

Just realized I should have posted this in the Gear forum. Sorry mod.

[FabioBi]

Hi Easytiger,
the letters stand for:

U = Under exposure
S = Shadow
A = African (dark skin)
“>” symbol = Midtone
C = Caucasian (light skin)
H = High light
O = Over exposure

Regards

Fabio

[Robert Ley]

Google search produced this: http://www.butkus.org/chinon/flashes..._digi-spot.htm
This website is a great source for instructions manuals on many pieces of photo equipment.

[easytiger]

Hi Easytiger,
the letters stand for:

U = Under exposure
S = Shadow
A = African (dark skin)
“>” symbol = Midtone
C = Caucasian (light skin)
H = High light
O = Over exposure

Regards

Fabio

Great! Big help, Fabio. Thank you.