Sekonic L-398

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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.

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 in a limited edition of 2000, to commemorate the one millionth unit.[1]

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 right side, because of the larger printing. It also has a slightly improved aperture measuring scale at f0.7 to 128 in stead of the previous model with f1 to 90 and 27% reduction in weight because of construction material changes.


L-398A Studio Deluxe III

Released in 2006. This model is almost identical to the out going model but uses a newly designed Amorphous photo cell instead of Selenium. The Sekonic logotype has moved. It is now on the left side. For the first time the model type (L-398A) is also printed on the face on the right side.


Accessories

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

Notes

  1. Gold Sekonic L-398, serial no 1000961, sold at the 29th Westlicht Photographica Auction, in June 2016.

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