Cold Shoe LightMeter vs Handheld Sekonic for Leica M2

[Alec246]

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Hi all,

First post here. I have just adquired a Leica M2, after a long saga of trying and returning Film Cameras for several reasons. I have decided a Leica would be the ultimate Film camera to accompany me in years to come, without jumping from one system to the other because I am never quite satisfied. I was not affordable, definitely, not! Ha. I have had it for a month without any lens, for that reason, and I am now in the process of purchasing a Zeiss 35mm f2.8 Biogon, can't wait to finally shot with it. As soon as I have the lens, I will be posting a picture on the M2 thread!

Now. The missing equipment for me is a light meter. Never had a complete Mechanical Camera before. I am not a fan of using the Smartphone, too much going on, I want something fast and simple to use. I would appreciate your opinions between going for a Cold Shoe Lightmeter, that is always attached to the camera, giving me reflective metering, or going for a Sekonic L308 Handheld, which gives a bit more flexibility, since it does Reflective and Incidence Metering, but you need two hands to operate it, not as compact solution.

What would you say?

Thanks!

 

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[jakontil]

well, I have both the cold shoe meter as well as a sekonic 478, im not sure one is better than the other but one might be handier than the other

can't really decide which to use but occasionally when im going streets, the one on the cold shoe is a better options, however, I dont quite use it much since I rely more on sunny16 rules for that matter but sometimes u see tricky lighting which might be helpful

the sekonic is more used during my portrait sessions and the incident meter is more accurate for that matter, and when I shoot with medium format, I tend to lean more towards the sekonic 

[LocalHero1953]

I use any one of (a) Sekonic L398 (it needs no battery) (b) Photo Friend app on my phone and (c) guesswork Sunny 16 Mk 1A Calibrated Eyeballs when I'm out with my Leica Standard.

Years ago I had a Leicameter MC and then Leicameter MR4, but they just made the camera bulky and ugly, and I never entirely trusted the readings because one couldn't tell what area they metered with respect to the lens focal length. OTOH I use the built-in meter in my MP without qualms or problems, so I'm inconsistent.

Edited September 2, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[TomB_tx]

The LeicaMeter MR and MR4 both connect to the shutter speed dial and so read out the correct F stop for your chosen speed. They read the FOV of a 90mm lens, so you can see the metering are clearly in the VF. I've used them since the 1960s. Of course, may be hard to find one in good working condition.

[rmueller]

Hi,

welcome here and have a lot of fun with the M2, post some images when you have the first roll(s) developed.

I'm not a big fan of cold-shoe light meters, just makes the camera more bulky and then metering is really not needed for every shot IMO. I carry a light Gossen and meter only few times during the day. When things appear more light than where I metered I close the lens half a stop, when they appear more dark I open half a stop. Works quite well. 

Of course when the weather situation changes drastically you need to re-meter but during a 'normal' day, the light doesn't vary much (not considering dawn and dusk of course).

My 2 cents,

Ralf

Edited September 2, 2024 by rmueller

[Anbaric]

I think the flexibility (and readability) of an incident/reflective meter is worthwhile. Personally I like the Gossen Sixtomat Digital series, such as the current Sixtomat F2, which is slim and pocketable. There are some meters with incident domes that can also be shoe mounted, like the Gossen Digisix 2 (as shown here), but I'm not sure there is one that's small enough to leave on your camera all the time (like some of the tiny reflective-only meters are). 

[Fotoklaus]

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I've had a lot of light meters, also VC-meter which fits an M perfectly. 

But now the only one to take with me is the Gossen Digisix. One Button push, set the camera in 3 seconds, that's it. Fast and precise.

Fits in my pocket and i can handle everything with one Hand.

And very important: incident reading is possible and used most of the time.

 

[250swb]

Given the M2 is Leica's best looking camera ever I wouldn't stick a wart on top. Use a hand held meter, you can point it at the area/tone you want to meter from far easier than swinging the camera around.

[TomB_tx]

I've tried the Digisix 2, and while the size and feature set is nice, it drains batteries fast. I didn't use it often, and when I'd go to use it the batteries would be dead, and then have to go through setup again for fresh batteries.

For a handheld I prefer the Sekonic Twinmate L208. Similar size, analog readout scale that shows all combinations of speed/aperture, and batteries last a long time, Its accuracy seems close to my old LunaLux SBC (which is rather bulky to carry around).

Here's a quick comparison of the Twinmate and the Digisix2 (which is in its normal battery dead state).

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Edited September 2, 2024 by TomB_tx

[Alec246]

Thank you all for the contribution to my topic!

The trend I am getting is that a cold shoe meter will not only look bad on top of the gorgeous M2 (I agree) but also it's not as practical as one would think. So Handheld gets more points. I was going more toward a handheld meter before asking too, nice to confirm I had the right intuition.

Now I see most of you are using Gossen meter. Would that be better than Sekonics? Any reason why I should pick them and not the competitor? I believe I wouldnt go for analog in the meter. At least I havent found a reason to do so over an lcd yet!

[rmueller]

vor 3 Minuten schrieb Alec246:

Thank you all for the contribution to my topic!

The trend I am getting is that a cold shoe meter will not only look bad on top of the gorgeous M2 (I agree) but also it's not as practical as one would think. So Handheld gets more points. I was going more toward a handheld meter before asking too, nice to confirm I had the right intuition.

Now I see most of you are using Gossen meter. Would that be better than Sekonics? Any reason why I should pick them and not the competitor? I believe I wouldnt go for analog in the meter. At least I havent found a reason to do so over an lcd yet!

Can't make anything wrong with a Sekonic. Gossen has some very compact meters like the one shown above by @TomB_tx. I use a Gossen Digisky because it has also a remote trigger for Broncolor flash which I use. Pick one and be happy!

Regards, Ralf

[plaidshirts]

Use a handheld meter. Measure in full sun then shade and extrapolate anything in between. After going through different meter setups, this is the best solution imo. FYI my meter is a Sekonic L358. 

Edited September 2, 2024 by plaidshirts
Added meter info

[BWColor]

I have some of the more sophisticated Sekonic meters, but my DigiSix has worked reliably for decades.

[LocalHero1953]

I've used both Gossen and Sekonic. I can't think of an argument for one over the other - it's just a simple (ha!) question of size, cost, functionality (Se/CdS, incident/reflected/spot, flash metering, digital/analogue display, wireless triggering, light range.....................................)

Edited September 2, 2024 by LocalHero1953

[Alec246]

Thanks! From all the complex considerations to make, I will probably keep my pick in the Sekonic L308  As it is used by so many, most of the time with praise! And very compact too

[david strachan]

I like the small and very lightweight Sekonic, in pocket.  Batteries last forever, and I prefer the analog readout with exposure combinations are quick to see.

Each to their own of course.

...

[105012]

I agree with David and Tom, the Sekonic 208 is pocketable, accurate and a good teacher. Use it to train your eyes, then eventually keep it in the pocket, using it only occasionally to reassess. After even more time, start forgetting to bring the 208 along altogether because your eyes are now a reliable light meter...

[david strachan]

Hi David

Hope you and family are well.

Having said the Sekonic is accurate it's good on incident readings...but mine was a bit off on reflective (2 stops).

There's  good uTube on recalibrating,  easy search.

Now mine is fully accurate tested against digital cameras...which seem to have their own standards of ISO.

I always test exposure against southern clear blue sky at 180 deg to midday sun.

Also tested and adjusted against Gossan Lunasix, Pentax Spotmatic and one of my old favs, the Zeiss Ikophot (no batteries, as you'd know, Selenium).

All good now.

 The Sekonic is an old trusted name in light meters...but sometimes they still need calibrating.

...

Definitely agree with estimating the exposure...it's not so difficult...nothing to get anxious about, and forget multiple exposure...you probably got it pretty close first off. 😀

Edited September 3, 2024 by david strachan

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[105012]

Good point David, I should have mentioned that my comments assumed incident metering (learning to read the light means the ambient not reflected).

[burchyk]

Gossen DigiSix 2 user here. Have Minolta Spot F. Had Sekonic 308 and Gossen LunaPro before.

DigiSix pros:

- Battery lasts more than 6 months;

- Smaller and lighter than many alternatives, which is not much on paper, but makes a significant practical difference to me. Lightweight almost pocketable kit is one of the main reasons I shoot Leica;

- Incident and reflected reading;

- Having a meter on your camera may force you to point the camera at the subject to take a reading. This will significantly increase the chances of getting noticed if you're into candid street photos. Handheld incident reading can be done much more discretely;

- Incident readings don't need compensation for the measured subject brightness to use on the next subject and are more stable in general, requiring less readings;

- Uses common coin type battery;

- Battery is not as ubiquitous as AA/AAA, but is so small and light that carrying a spare is never a problem;

- Think I paid 80 for mine (used);

DigiSix cons:

- Buttons sometimes get pressed when in the pocket or a bag, occasionally setting off the alarm;

- ISO setting is a bit of a faff, not ideal if you're changing film often or carry multiple cameras;