Sekonic L-308

From Camera-wiki.org
Jump to: navigation, search

The Sekonic L-308 series of light meters was introduced in 1992 and continues with the L-308DC introduced in 2010.

It is designed as a compact, easy-to-use electronic ambient and flash meter with a LCD screen. Incident and reflective measurement can be accomplished by sliding the Lumisphere. Cover the lens for incident mode and uncover for reflective mode. It is a shutter priority meter. This means you select the shutter speed and the meter calculates your aperture setting. When this is accomplished, pressing the up and down buttons on the side of the meter shows the corresponding shutter and aperture settings for the proper exposure. The L-308X is the first model with aperture priority mode.

Flash meter reading can be accomplished by attaching a PC style sync cord, the meters measure button can be used to fire off the flash. A non-corded wireless mode is also available, but requires manually firing the flash.

Additionally there is an EV mode, as well as a cine mode that displays frames per second. To use the fps cine mode requires the meter to scroll past the shutter speeds of 1/8000s.

The L-308 Flashmate is the original model followed by minor revisions L-308B in 1994 and L-308B II in 1996. The B models have improved sensitivity and can measure down to 0EV. The B II model is exactly the same as the B model but includes the Lumidisc accessory which is used for illuminometer mode or to measure light contrast.

L-308S

The Sekonic L-308S Flashmate was introduced in 2005[1]. It replaces the Sekonic L-308BII. It is nearly the same as the BII model but the LCD display has changed a bit. The display no longer offers the half circle icongraphy because the aperture can now display three digits and there is a dedicated battery level display. The shutter speed can now display in 1/2 and 1/3 stop. On power off, this revision also retains the measured value (EV or aperture).

In 2011, a limited edition series was produced to celebrate Sekonic's 60th anniversary. The limited editions of the meter were identical to the S model, but body colors are available in red, light green, and pale blue. The colors were chosen based on a survey poll on Sekonic's website with a choice of 8 colors. The carrying pouch also has piping in those three colours.

L-308DC

The L-308DC DigiCineMate released in 2010, is similar to the L-308S but offers more options for film makers and videographers. It did not replace the S model. Measurement modes include Cine mode, HD mode (frame priority) and photo mode. Has a wider range of fps as well as shutter angle measurement modes compared to previous models. Measuring of illuminance with FC (foot-candle) and LUX values are much easier without having to use EV conversion charts common with the previous revisions.

L-308X

The L-308X Flashmate combines the features of the L-308S and L-308DC and replaces them both. It was released in 2018[2]. In addition to the combined features of the two predecessor models, the L-308X adds an aperture priority mode and an LCD backlight.

Specifications

L-308 L-308B L-308BII L-308S L-308DC L-308X
Introduction 1992 1994 1996 2005 2010 2018
Measuring system Incident and reflected
Measuring Element Silicon photo diode
Measurement mode Ambient, EV and Cine Photo, EV, Cine, HD Cine, Illuminance T priority, F priority, EV, HD CINE (T priority), CINE (f/s priority), Lux/FC
Flash mode corded and non-corded
Measurement range (ISO100): 1 to 19 EV 0 to EV 19.9 EV
Measurement range flash f2 to f90 f1.4 to f90.9 f1 to f90.9
EV -4 to 26 EV -5 to 26.2 EV -5 to 27.2 EV -6 to 27.2 EV
Film speed ISO 3 to 8000 (1/3 step) ISO 3 to 8000 (1/3 step) + 850
Aperture f0.5 to f90 f0.5 to f90.9 f0.5 to f90; 1/10 inc
(1, 1/2 and 1/3 step)
f0.5 to f90.9; 1/10 inc
(1, 1/2 and 1/3 stop)
Shutter 60 sec. to 1/8000 sec. 60 sec. to 1/8000 sec
(1, 1/2 and 1/3 stop)
Shutter flash mode 1 sec. to 1/500 sec, 1/75, 1/80, 1/90 and 1/100
Shutter HD mode N / A 1/8 to 1/8000 sec.
(1, 1/2, 1/3 step)
Shutter angle 180 degrees 45, 90, 180, 270, 360 degrees
Cine 8, 12, 16, 18, 24, 25, 30, 32, 64, 128 fps 8, 12, 16, 18, 24, 25, 30, 32, 48, 50, 60, 64, 96, 100, 120, 128 fps
Power 1x AA (LR6) alkaline/carbon zinc battery
Dimensions 110 x 63 x 22 mm
Weight 80g wo battery (1x AA 15-30g) 95g w battery

Notes

Links