Sekonic L-398
Sekonic L-398M Studio Deluxe II image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
The Sekonic Studio Deluxe L-398 is a series of hand held light meter released in 1976 and is still a current product (2011). It is an improved version of the Sekonic Studio L-28 series meters. This particular model design is directly related to the Director line of meters originally created by Donald W. Norwood and cinematographer Karl Freund.
Contents
L-398 Studio Deluxe
Released in in 1976, this meter has the "new" updated calibration compared to the L-28 series. Has a bayonet-mount attachment of standard accessories, as well as an expanded range of direct reading slides. This model replaces the Studio S2 L-28A2 as well as the Studio Deluxe L-28C2.
Studio Deluxe Gold
A gold faced version of the meter was produced to commemorate the one millionth unit.
gold faced version image by Jackslai (Image rights) |
L-398M Studio Deluxe II
Released in 1989, it has improved the readability of the meter by having larger printing. The Sekonic logotype is moved off to the side, because of the larger printing. It also has a slightly improved measuring scale and 27% reduction in weight because of construction material changes.
Sekonic L-398M showing larger text image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
L-398A Studio Deluxe III
image by Nora Keiichi (Image rights) |
Released in 2006. This model is almost identical to the out going model but uses a newly designed Amorphous photo cell instead of Selenium.
Accessories
high slide, lumisphere, lumigrid and lumidisc image by Voxphoto (Image rights) |
Standard
- Lumisphere (incident)
- Lumidisc (contrast)
- Lumigrid (reflected)
slide
- High slide
Optional
The optional (1 to 11) direct reading slides are useful if you want to calculate the aperture quickly without having to use the calculator dial. It is most commonly used in cine where there is often a set shutter speed. It is compatible with the Lumisphere and Lumidisc.
Choosing the correct slide is easy. On the chart below, look up the shutter speed that matches the camera, then go downward to choose the ISO film speed. The correct slide# to use is on the left of the chart.
slide#/shutter | 1/15 | 1/30 | 1/40 | 1/50 | 1/60 | 1/125 | 1/250 | 1/500 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ISO 64 | ISO 125 | ISO 160 | ISO 200 | ISO 250 | |||
2 | 50 | 100 | 125 | 160 | 200 | 400 | ||
3 | 40 | 80 | 100 | 125 | 160 | 320 | ||
4 | 32 | 64 | 80 | 100 | 125 | 250 | ||
5 | 25 | 50 | 64 | 80 | 100 | 200 | 400 | |
6 | 25 | 40 | 50 | 64 | 80 | 160 | 320 | |
7 | 16 | 32 | 40 | 50 | 64 | 125 | 250 | |
8 | 25 | 32 | 40 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 400 | |
9 | 20 | 25 | 32 | 40 | 80 | 160 | 320 | |
10 | 16 | 20 | 25 | 32 | 64 | 125 | 250 | |
11 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 40 | 80 | 160 | ||
High | 12 | 25 | 50 | 100 |
Specs
L-398 | L-398M | L-398A | |
---|---|---|---|
Measuring system | incident and reflected | ||
Measuring element | Selenium | Amorphous photocell | |
Measuring range incident | EV 4 to 17 (ISO100) | ||
Measuring range reflected | ? | ? | EV 9 to 17 |
ASA | 6 to 12,000 ASA | ||
DIN | 9 to 42 DIN | ||
Shutter | 60 to 1/8000 | ||
Aperture | f1 to 90 | f0.7 to 128 | |
Cine | 8 to 128 fps | ||
EV | EV 1 to 20 | ||
Dimensions | 107 x 58 x 30 mm | 112 x 58 x 34 mm | |
Weight | 250g | 190g |