Carl E Posted February 1, 2009 Share #1 Posted February 1, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) My first Leica M body was an M4-P, which I regret to this day having sold to finance the upgrade (?) to an M6. Many years (and Leicas) later, I am now tempted to sell my M6TTL and get a meter-less M body to go "back to basics" again. Most of my shooting these day is digital, but I want to be able to enjoy the fully manual silver halide workflow when I want to. Now to the question: I am considering a hand-held meter (and not the Leicameter). Size (not too big) is a factor, as is low-light capabiltiy. What meter would you suggest to go with a "classic" M4 or M4-P body? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted February 1, 2009 Posted February 1, 2009 Hi Carl E, Take a look here What hand-held exposure meter should I choose?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Joachim123 Posted February 1, 2009 Share #2 Posted February 1, 2009 I use a Sekonic L-308s small light weight and very accruate. Shuts down if you forget to turn it off. About $160.00 US. The best light meter I have ever owned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
giordano Posted February 1, 2009 Share #3 Posted February 1, 2009 If you want better results than one can get from the built-in meter you'll need either an incident light meter or spotmeter. Which do you prefer? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenneth Posted February 1, 2009 Share #4 Posted February 1, 2009 I use a Weston Master V as a back up end for taking discreet reading when using my M6 Classics. As there is no such thing as a perfect exposure any meter will work it is how you calibrate it and use the information that is important. I would say consistency is the key. Under a given amount of light the meter should always give the same result which by and large they all seem to albeit on meter might give a totally different reading to one of another manufacturer but that really does not matter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl E Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share #5 Posted February 1, 2009 If you want better results than one can get from the built-in meter you'll need either an incident light meter or spotmeter. Which do you prefer? What I want is a hand-held meter that would do both reflected and incident light in roughly a 30-40 degree measuring angle, ie not spot meter Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimF Posted February 1, 2009 Share #6 Posted February 1, 2009 I am now tempted to sell my M6TTL and get a meter-less M body to go "back to basics" again. Why not just take the battery out when you wish to work like that? I have a Gossen Variosix F2, which, unlike some, allows me to choose the shutter speed I want rather than being stuck with the aperture value as the only user-selectable parameter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
atufte Posted February 1, 2009 Share #7 Posted February 1, 2009 Advertisement (gone after registration) What I want is a hand-held meter that would do both reflected and incident light in roughly a 30-40 degree measuring angle, ie not spot meter I work with two Leica M6 (Classic) without batteries, they are as manual as the M4-P, then get a Gossen Digisix which is a great and really small lightmeter... (Du får dem billig på Digideal, Tøyen foto, i Oslo) Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/75785-what-hand-held-exposure-meter-should-i-choose/?do=findComment&comment=797081'>More sharing options...
Carl E Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share #8 Posted February 1, 2009 Takk, Alexander. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
E.M Posted February 1, 2009 Share #9 Posted February 1, 2009 I use a Minolta IV, as I like incident light metering. I also have a Sekonic studio deluxe which I rarely use, slower. As the previous poster said, take out the batteries, use them again when you prefer to have a smaller package. I find the meter of the M6ttl very convenient. Before I had a Gossen lunasix III , but that one was stolen together with a brand new Nikon F in the seventies. It was a fantastic lightmeter. Etienne Michiels Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
KM-25 Posted February 1, 2009 Share #10 Posted February 1, 2009 I own this version and the digi flash as a second for when I am shooting Kodachrome 25, I LOVE these little things!! I work with two Leica M6 (Classic) without batteries, they are as manual as the M4-P, then get a Gossen Digisix which is a great and really small lightmeter... (Du får dem billig på Digideal, Tøyen foto, i Oslo) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andym911 Posted February 1, 2009 Share #11 Posted February 1, 2009 another vote for the digisix..great little meter...alternatively sekonic 308 (much bigger), or the weston euromaster..a classic, andy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted February 1, 2009 Share #12 Posted February 1, 2009 Anything you will carry and use. I have a sekonic 308s and it's very good. But nowadays with my M2, I tend to use sunny 16 or variants thereof with HP5. OK I couldn't do that with Kodachrome, so that's when I take my meter or my CLE (which is truly excellent on AE). Charlie Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted February 1, 2009 Share #13 Posted February 1, 2009 I can swap you my M2 for your M6 if you don't want the temptation of using batteries I also use a Minolta AutoMeter lV (check e bay) and Sunny 16. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl E Posted February 1, 2009 Author Share #14 Posted February 1, 2009 I can swap you my M2 for your M6 if you don't want the temptation of using batteries I also use a Minolta AutoMeter lV (check e bay) and Sunny 16. Thanks for the offer, James but I have my eyes on a restored&re-painted M4-P which hopefully will reach me in a matter of days Carl E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
antistatic Posted February 1, 2009 Share #15 Posted February 1, 2009 I'm another happy Sekonic 308 user. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
m6goesch Posted February 1, 2009 Share #16 Posted February 1, 2009 I'm using the Sekonic L-358, quite large but i love it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookjim Posted March 7, 2009 Share #17 Posted March 7, 2009 Weston Master V, use the invercone reading for B/W and Colour. it sets the highlights. You can trust this method over a general reading which can be +- 2 stops. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest s.m.e.p. Posted March 7, 2009 Share #18 Posted March 7, 2009 The exposure meter I like best with my M-LEICAs ist the SEKONIC L-398A. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
NZDavid Posted March 8, 2009 Share #19 Posted March 8, 2009 Another vote for the Sekonic 308: compact, accurate, and easy to use. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pop Posted March 8, 2009 Share #20 Posted March 8, 2009 Lunasix 3. They probably need to be modified in order to use the voltage of the modern mercury-less batteries. There's even an attachment for spot metering, after a fashion. Otherwise, the Sekonic L-398 is a good choice as it runs without any batteries. Changing between incident and reflected light can be a bit cumbersome, and it is less sensitive than the Lunasix. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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