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View Full Version : Handheld light meters, is it just me?


jfretless
10-12-2009, 14:16
I have a Sekonic L-358 light meter, but I find that the ergonomics of the meter is "backwards." Since "most" cameras are fired with our right hand, the meter wheel and button should be on the left side of the meter, so a photographer can hold and operate the meter with his/her left hand.

Are there meters out there that are setup in a way that you can operate it with your left hand, one handed? How about the "old school" meters?

Is it just me?

Thanks.
John

Chriscrawfordphoto
10-12-2009, 14:28
Meters like the Sekonic you have are really made for studio use; the camera is on a tripod or studio camera stand, leaving the photographer to use his right hand to operate the meter.

Roger Hicks
10-12-2009, 14:29
I normally use all my meters -- mostly Gossen and Weston -- left-handed, one-handed, except the spot meters. Why can't you manipulate the button(s) with your middle finger? Not sure what you mean by 'wheel' (I don't have an L358).

Cheers,

R.

Chris101
10-12-2009, 14:43
If you are using a hand-held meter, it's not supposed to be fast, is it?

ZeissFan
10-12-2009, 14:43
The Zeiss Ikon Ikophot T (http://elekm.net/zeiss-ikon/ikophot_t/) -- can be used with either hand.

FrankS
10-12-2009, 15:19
Just tell your assistant to do the metering. ;)

Dwig
10-12-2009, 18:17
...
Are there meters out there that are setup in a way that you can operate it with your left hand, one handed? How about the "old school" meters?
...

Check out the L-398a:

http://www.sekonic.com/products/Sekonic%20L-398A%20STUDIO%20DELUXE%20III.asp

Back in ancient times (I shoot digital now) I rather liked these, well ... the earlier generations of them anyway, like the L-28c, L-28cII, & L-398. I had several over the years after retiring my older Weston Master V's (had several of those also).

payasam
10-12-2009, 19:30
I've never seen one which could not be operated with either hand. Mine, unfortunately, needs both hands: though it may be worked with one which has fifteen fingers and two thumbs.

BillBingham2
10-12-2009, 20:08
I use my 318 with either hand, depends on which is free. Perhaps the years of play guitar have paid off after all.

B2 (;->

maddoc
10-12-2009, 20:12
Seconic Twin-mate (L208), very easy to use with either your left or right hand. Carrying it with a neck strap, I measure exposure with my left hand while carrying the camera in my right hand.

Richard G
10-14-2009, 02:50
My old Gossen CdS Sixtar (Super Pilot in the US??) had the thumb button on the right which was not easy to use left handed, requiring considerable pressure for low light range metering. Outdoors in daylight it was OK. I now have the Gossen DigiPro F with all five buttons on the front only and symmetrical. Just as easy with right or left hand and I prefer left. A great meter.