Handheld light meters, is it just me?

jfretless · 10-12-2009

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

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

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

If you are using a hand-held meter, it's not supposed to be fast, is it?

ZeissFan · 10-12-2009

The Zeiss Ikon Ikophot T -- can be used with either hand.

FrankS · 10-12-2009

Just tell your assistant to do the metering.

Dwig · 10-12-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfretless

...
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/Seko...LUXE%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

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

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

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

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.