Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III Meter

I got this so I could retire my 1950's GE Exposure Meter DW-68 made of cast metal. Super strong. Now when I got this I was kinda disappointed. It felt cheap, light and not very durable. Not like my old one that I was going to retire.I gave it a month to get used to.

I have been instructing new cinematographers since 1999 and find this meter to be one of the best teaching tools for teaching fundamentals of photographic triangle, depth of field and lighting ratios. It is an oldie but goodie. (Which I might be considered as well!)

For many decades Ive owned a Brockway meter manufactured by Sekonic that almost looks identical. I loved it. It was my old faithful; however, as digital camera ISO values went out the roof, the ranges were no longer adequate. So, I got the L-398A. Using it is almost like working with an old friend.

This is a classic & easy to use meter updated to be even better. The Cell is a modern amorphous silicon photocell & it still has the advantage of no battery to run down. one reviewer complained that the current case has no storage for the accessory Lumidisc & Lumigrid spheres.

This is the 2nd Sekonic Studio Light Meter that I have owned in my 50 year career as a filmmaker. I would still have the first that I owned for all those years, but I gave it to a friend who career was just beginning.

THE UP SIDE: I purchased this same meter in 1985 for $90. I used it extensively in the field as a landscape photographer, shooting Kodachrome 64 and Fuji 50 slide film, for twenty years. Slide film cannot be off even a half F-stop without resulting in exposure problems.

A return to serious film photography prompted my purchase. It was like seeing an old friend that I'd not seen for years. This meter has become a standard the world over, and there are many reasons for its popularity: the readings are accurate, it does not need a battery, it's small and easy to...

This is the basic light meter that has been used for decades. I replaced my old Studio Deluxe which was probably 35 years old with this newer version due to years of use ( and drops). The design is almost unchanged and is still reliable.

This meter has stood the test of time. Well built, accurate. Worth every penny. I use it as a fail safe to verify my digital camera's meter. I hesitated buying the unit, but I do not regret it now. I find my photos are much more defined now. It helps to not rely on a reflective meter.

I have do a considerable about research on this product. I think I have read just about every website, watched all the videos.. The product, as it has always been, is solid and easy to use. Match the dials and the arrows and you have an accurate reading. Simple.