Product Description

Spot & Incident Light Readings Under Flash and/or Ambient Lighting Conditions Calibrated to match the Sensitivity of Your Camera’s Imaging Sensor The Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster is simply the most dynamic light meter you will ever own. It can record incident or 1-degree spot-readings under ambient and/or strobe lighting down to a tenth-stop in accuracy, and it’s sealed against the nastiest of weather. With the included Sekonic RT-32 Radio Transmitter Module and you can wirelessly trigger PocketWizard-enabled flash systems within a 100’ range. But that’s not what makes the Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster different from any other meter you have owned. What moves the L-758DR DigitalMaster to the head of the class is that it is the only meter that can be calibrated to read light the way the sensor in your particular camerareads light. Like film, imaging sensors vary in light sensitivity levels from one batch to the next. Despite manufacturers best efforts, fluctuations of native ISO sensitivities of up to plus/minus half-a-stop can be detected across the uncut wafers as they come off the manufacturing line. Depending on which ‘slice of the pie’ is inside your camera, the specs listed in the camera manual may not hold true to the characteristics of the sensor in your particular camera. By running an easy calibration test using Sekonic’s L-758DR, a Sekonic Exposure Profile Target (optional) and the included Data Transfer Software (Mac & Windows), you can accurately profile the sensitivity characteristics of your camera’s sensor to determine the compensation value for its true native ISO, dynamic range and clipping points. After calculating the test data and establishing new exposure parameters, this data is uploaded from your computer via the included USB cable back to the meter where it is stored as camera profiles. Profiling data from up to 3 cameras can be stored in your meter for instant recall.

Product Details

• Color: Black
• Brand: Sekonic
• Model: L-758
• Dimensions: 1.90" h x 3.50" w x 6.70" l, 1.60 pounds

Features

• Profiles the specific sensitivity levels of your camera¿s imaging sensor for exacting light readings.
• Exposures accurate down to a tenth-of-a-stop in full-stop mode for both ambient and electronic flash light readings with a repeat accuracy of +/- 0.1 EV.
• Built-in 1-degree spot meter features an adjustable diopter (-2.5 to 1.0d), and is threaded for 30.5mm filters and/or lens hood (a tethered lens cap is included).
• Up to 9 readings can be stored for meter averaging and contrast evaluations in aperture and shutter priority modes.
• For mixed lighting scenarios, the Sekonic L-758DR DigitalMaster displays the combined exposure values of both flash and ambient light sources, including the percentage of flash in total exposure in 10-percent increments

Customer Reviews

Complicated, poor interface, doesn't come with important "target"
The Sekonic 758DR is obviously an incredibly powerful tool, capable of a vast array of functions. However, the interface to this device is only fair, the included software is fairly rough and lacks even basic wizard functions to walk the user through use. The biggest problem though is that for $499.00, you don't get the option "profiling target" that allows one to create custom profiles for their digital or film camera. It's an extra $100.00! For this price, Sekonic is gouging their customers.

This is a device that needs an Interaction Designer to go through it and make it less pure engineering and more intuitive. Sekonic should include this magic target accessory and not lead customers to believe they're getting a feature that, in reality, is not complete.

I can't recommend this product.

What else will be needed?
Well, I opened my Christmas present and voila! Just what I wanted! The Sekonic L-758 DR! I take it out, caressing it gently, and start to read.....hhhuuuuummmmm. I requested this meter because of it's acclaimed ability to "profile" and store in the meter, up to 3 cameras. That is what I am talking about! I have the Nikon D100, D200, FM2, 8008s, Nikkormat EL.....you get the picture. I wanted to be able to profile all my cameras and when going to use the meter, download the appropriate profiles. I have the meter and cameras and I am ready to go!......NOT! Guess after paying $500.00 for a meter, if I want to use it as desired, I have to buy the profile target! Yep, doesn't come with one! Kinda like buying a car and after the paper work is done, the salesman asks if you want wheels on it! Called Sekonic.....they don't sell it. Apparently the very item needed to use this meter as advertised is "third party?". And guess what the kicker is..........this little piece of printed matter costs another $100.00!!!!!!! SSssssoooooo.....guess if I want to keep and use the meter, I am going to have to shell out another $100.00! BUT!!!! If I do, I will make this profile target available to all who want to use it, all you do is pay the postage both ways! Heck, I may buy several! See if that puts a dent in someones pocket! I think I will go out now and kick my dog! Nah.....I like my dog. Guess I'll kick a tree ..... nope .... that would probably hurt!

Well....look forward to the product review....I will be analyzing this puppy down to the last tiny screw!!!!!

Best of wishes!

Fantastic Meter
I really like this meter. It does everything I need and a bit more. I find it easy to use as it follows similar interface design as my DSLR's "press-this-and-spin-that" UI. The integrated pocket wizard, ability to meter light ratios and balance ambient light is fantastic. The use of this meter has improved my shots.

A previous reviewer said the interface was poor - I disagree. The interface is extremely simple for the basic functions you'll use all the time. Set the ISO, take a reading, change between reflected spot and incident, set the pocket wizard channel, set the exposure time for ambient, etc.

When using the more advanced features, it gets a little more complicated. For example, metering the highlights, the shadows and mid-tones and display them all at once, or meter the lighting ratio between lights. Perhaps it could be a little easier but I don't find it a hinderance.

In fact I didn't notice the complexity as it's no more complicated than most of the features on my Nikon D700. The Sekonic, happily, follows the same convention of rapid key combinations for instant access to features instead of slow menu driven interfaces. Yes the menus are easier to learn - but you'd pay that speed penalty every time you'd use it. Once you learn how to play the Sekonic's keys, the price is paid and you get the speed benefit every time you use it.

Now it would be slick if, like the pro DSLRs, they provided both a menu and a key. But I still wouldn't use the menu.