Sekonic L-358 Flash Master Light Meter

by Sekonic

• Exposures accurate down to a tenth-of-a-stop for both ambient and electronic flash light readings
• Sekonic RT-32 Radio Transmitter Module installs easily, enabling wireless
• Dust-proof and splash-proof (JIS Standard Water Resistance Class 4)
• Incident readings of three-dimensional subjects are taken using the Lumisphere fully extended
• Up to 9 readings can be stored in memory for meter averaging and contrast evaluations in Aperture and Shutter priority modes

Product Details

Sekonic Light Meter Brochure [1.9 MB PDF]

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Sekonic Light Meters for Cinematography [4.22mb PDF]

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Product Manual [1.90mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 1.9 x 3.5 x 6.7 inches ; 9.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00007E89K
• Item model number: 401-358
• Batteries 1 Lithium Metal batteries required.
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (101 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
  • #18 in Camera & Photo > Camera & Photo Accessories > Light Meters & Accessories > Light Meters
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

 L-358 FlashMaster

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The Sekonic L-358 displays an f-stop range of f/1.0 to f/90.9, and a shutter speed range of 30-minutes to 1/8000th-of-a-second (1/1000th in Flash mode), both of which can be displayed in full-, half-, and third-stop intervals to mirror your camera's exposure display. When set to "full," the exposure is displayed in tenth-of-a-stop increments with repeat accuracy of +/- 0.1 EV.

For motion picture applications, the L-358 calculates cine readings from 2 to 360 frames-per-second. As with all Sekonic meters, the Sekonic L-358 Flash Master includes a 3-year warranty and the best customer support you're ever likely to find.

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The simple solution to creative light control with optional wireless triggering

Directional light is powerful. It guides the viewer, creates mood, and adds dimension, depth, and texture. If you want to create a signature style that elevates your photography to the next level, the mastery of off-camera lighting should be your next goal. Subjects – clients – are not impressed with a shoot, view, and adjust photo style. Lighting ratios, ambient balance, and final exposure must be set confidently. Knowledge and use of the tools of photography assure that the outcome is the intended one. And for images like this one, the Sekonic L-358is the professional photographer’s meter of choice.

Incident Light Metering

Unlike in-camera metering, handheld, incident light meters don’t require multi-patterned readings, complex exposure control systems, or +/- exposure correction when they fail. They are, in fact, the simplest and most direct way to determine exposure. And because incident meters measure the light that falls on your subject, they provide camera settings that render the image exactly the way it appears. Blacks are black. Grays are gray. Whites are white. Retracting the Sekonic L-358’s Lumisphere enables you to quickly judge the brightness of multiple light sources for fast, accurate adjustment of lighting ratios.

Ambient Light Metering

Take shutter-priority or aperture-priority readings from 30 minutes up to1/8000 second and f/1 to f/90.9 with ¹/10-stop accuracy. The L-358 displays exposure both digitally and on an analog scale for easy readout. Custom functions enable adjusting the shutter speed and aperture readout for full-, half-, and third-stop increments to mirror the setting of your camera. You can change exposure settings after reading and the meter will automatically compensate to maintain the proper exposure. And the extended sensitivity range, EV -2 to 22.9 for ISO 100, allows taking exposure measurements in virtually any kind of light.

Flash Light Metering

Shutter-priority readings of flash light can be made with a synch cord or cordlessly at shutter speeds from 30 minutes to 1/1000 second.The L-358 automatically resets after each reading in cordless mode to enable fast adjustment of flash brightness. The multi-flash function enables accumulating an unlimited amount of flash pops for times when a single flash pop cannot achieve the proper exposure or the amount of depth of field needed for the subject.

Optional Radio Flash Triggering

Simply plug the optional Sekonic RT-32 Transmitter Module into the battery compartment and wirelessly trigger flash units up to 100 feet away. The transmitter offers 32 digital coded channels and Quad-Triggering Zones and is compatible with PocketWizard® radio triggering systems, as well as the PocketWizard Wireless Freedom partners.

                                               Analyzing Function

The L-358 is especially useful for on-location shooting to lighten shadows or reduce background detail. That’s because it measures ambient and flash simultaneously and automatically indicates the percentage of flash in the total exposure. You can easily adjust the ambient flash mix by turning the Jog Wheel. The digital display indicates the camera settings and an analog display shows the relationship between ambient and flash and the total exposure.

Sekonic L-358 Functions

All controls are at your finger tips. Familiar Jog Wheel operation and large LCD readout make settings fast and easy.

Contrast Function

Setting up lighting ratios or checking the evenness of a background or scene is push-button simple. Take a reading of the key or reference light and press the AVE/?EV button to create a standard. Then press the measuring button to display the brightness difference between the standard and new reading.

Additional Features:

Reflected light metering: Included Lumigrid or optional 1, 5, and 10-degree viewfinder spot attachments Swivel head 9-reading memory plus averaging Illuminated Data panel Dust-proof and splash-proof (JIS Standard Water Resistance Class 4) Cine frame rates from from 2 to 360 fps

Technical Specifications:

Type:	Digital exposure meter for ambient and flash light
Receptor Head:	Rotating Domed Head 90° to the right, 180° to the left, Retractable for Contrast Reading
Light Receiving Method:	Incident light and reflected light
Receptor Incident Light:	Convertible to flat diffuser (Lumisphere in down position)
Receptor Reflected Light:	Light receiving angle 54° (Lumigrid)
Light Receptor Element:	2-Silicon photo diodes (incident and reflected)

Measuring Range and Modes

Measuring Modes Ambient Light:	- Aperture priority metering - EV metering - Shutter priority metering
Measuring Modes Flash:	- Measurement using the optional wireless flash radio triggering system (cumulative and non-cumulative) - Without synchro cord (cumulative and non-cumulative) - With synchro cord (cumulative and non-cumulative)
Measuring Range (ISO 100) Ambient Light:	- Incident light EV-2 to EV 22.9 - Reflected light EV-2 to EV 22.9 with 54° Lumigrid
Measuring Range (ISO 100) Flash:	- Incident Light f/1.0 to f/90.9 (approx. f/124) - Reflected Light f/1.0 to 90.9 (approx. f/124) with 54° Lumigrid
Repeatability Repeat Accuracy:	(+/-) 0.1 EV or less
Calibration Constant Incident:	Lumisphere C = 340, Flat Diffuser C = 250
Calibration Constant Reflected:	K = 12.5

Display Range and Modes

Display Range Film Speed:	ISO 3 to 8000 (in 1/3 steps)
Display Range Shutter Speeds Ambient:	30 min to 1/8000 sec. (in 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps) plus 1/200, 1895/400
Display Range Shutter Speeds Flash:	30 min to 1/1000 sec. (in 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps) plus 1/75, 1/80, 1/90, 1/100, 1/200, 1/400
Display Range Aperture:	f/1.0 to f/90.9 (in 1, 1/2, 1/3 steps)
Display Range EV:	EV -10.0 to EV 40.0 (in 1/10 steps)
Display Cine Speeds fps:	2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 18, 24, 25, 30, 32, 36, 40, 48, 50, 60, 64, 72, 96, 120, 128, 150, 200, 240, 256, 300, 360 (shutter angle: 180°)
Display Range Analog Scale Aperture:	f/1 to f/90 (in 1/2 steps)
Display Range Analog Scale Shutter Speed:	2 sec. to 1/4000 sec. (in 1/2 steps)

Other

Exposure Out Of Range:	Eu (underexposure) or Eo (overexposure)
Memory Function:	9 readings
Average Function:	Up to 9 readings can be averaged
Brightness Difference Function:	(+/-) EV (1/10 stop)
Flash Analyzing Function:	0 to 100% in 10% increments
Multiple Flash Function:	Infinite number of flash readings (Only one digit is displayed when the cumulated number is ten or more)
Calibration Compensation:	(+/-) 1.0 EV (in 1/10th steps)
Exposure Compensation:	(+/-) 9.9 EV in 1/10 steps)
Custom Functions:	DIP Switch Mode Selection
All Weather Feature:	JIS Standard Water Resistance Class 4, Splash Proof Type
Auto Power Off:	Yes, 20 minutes after last use
Battery Power Indicator Display:	Icon with 3 status
Second ISO Film Speed Setting:	ISO 3 to 8000
Battery(Power):	(1) 3V Battery, Model CR123A Lithium
Operating Temperature Range:	14? to 122? F / -10? to 50? C
Storage Temperature Range:	-4? to 140? F / -20? to 60? C

Radio Triggering        

Radio Triggering Radio:	Complex 16/24 bit digitally coded w/ optional RT-32N Module
Radio Triggering Channels:	1 to 16 channels standard, 17 to 32 "Quad Triggering"
Radio Triggering Range:	Up to 100 feet from transmitter to receiver
Radio Wave Frequency Europe:	- CH1-CH16 433.62MHz - CH17-CH32 434.22MHz
Radio Wave Frequency USA Canada:	- CH1-CH16 344.00MHz - CH17-CH32 346.50MHz

Dimension and Weight

Product Dimensions:	6.10x2.30x1.50 in./6.00x15.00x4.00 cm
Product Weight:	0.40lbs./0.20kg.

Item Includes:
L-358 Case, CR123A Battery, Strap, Synchro Terminal Cap and Lumigrid

Product Description

Since its introduction, Sekonic's L-358 Flash Master has become the best-selling digital flash meter in its class. Weather-sealed against the nastiest of working conditions, the L-358 delivers dead-nuts accurate flash and ambient light reading in both incident and reflected modes.For mixed lighting scenarios, the L-358 displays the combined exposure values of both flash and ambient light sources, including the percentage of flash in total exposure in 10-percent increments. Dual ISO buttons allow for quick exposure factoring when working with two differing film speeds, film and Polaroids, or other situations where comparison readings are desired.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

132 of 133 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Light Meter June 10, 2005

By iPP

This Sekonic L-358 light meter is an excellent meter. I have fallen in love with it. Lots of Today's 35mm SLR camera meters are TTL Meters (reflected light measurement meters). Sekonic L-358 is such a high precision instrument which measures incident, reflected, flash (cord & cordless). I got great digital photos after I have used the reading on 2 different cameras under normal & Flash lights.

The pictures are great out of your camera and do not require any editing if used properly according to the instructions. I like the built in Memory function to store readings, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority, 2 ISO functions, Weather proof Seal, Can include optional radio transmitter + receiver modules to wirelessly trigger flash units, So far Battery Life has been Good. This meter does not use "AA" it uses CR-123A so you will have to always carry one spare with you.

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My first handheld meter-works great. November 22, 2008

By Bill

I bought this meter because I bought a manual focus lens for my Nikon D50. This camera body does not meter with the old manual lenses. After a week of using it, I can say it performs well. It offers incident and reflected measurements. However, to switch from incident to reflected, you have to take off the lumisphere and mount the lumigrid. It offers shutter and aperture priority modes. I prefer aperture priority-choose an aperture, and the meter selects a shutter speed. You can choose 2 ISO settings. The meter will stay on ISO 1 until you push ISO 2 for a brief reading. When you let go of the ISO 2 button, it goes back to ISO 1.

The Sekonic L-358 also does flash metering(reflected and incident). This is helpful to me because my D50 will not do TTL flash with my older flash units-Nikon SB-80DX. It has flash corded mode-connect flash and meter with sync cord. It also has cordless flash mode. When you press the measurement button, you will have up to 90 seconds to fire the flash. It will even measure multiple flash bursts. However, it will not read them all if the bursts are too quick. I'd recommend leaving at least 1/2 second between bursts to take a reading. There's also flash to ambient light ratio readings.

Another reason I chose this model is you can buy optional spot meter attachments for it-1, 5, and 10 degree heads.

It also has many features I've never used and probably never will, so I can't comment on those. Such as wireless radio flash triggering(I think optional accessories are required), memories, averaging of multiple readings, and more.

Something that you should consider-not all lenses transmit the EXACT same amount of light. In theory they should, but that's not always the case. For example, one of my lenses needs about 1/3-1/2 stop more light than the meter suggests. Another needs about 2/3-1 stop more. And another lens just about agrees with the Sekonic. I think older zooms are more prone to needing more light. If you're getting underexposed images, run tests and take notes with each lens you plan on using with the meter.

And another thing-it uses a CR123A battery. Those can be hard to find, so carry an extra.

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Does what it's supposed to do - a couple tweaks would've been nice April 28, 2009

By Dave

Amazon Verified Purchase

Using primarily as a studio flash meter and for church formals.

Unit meters as expected for a $240 unit, so no applause for that.

I like:
- The retractable lumpishere (from dome, to flat). VERY useful.
- Ability to show ambient/flash as a percentage. Useful.

I HATE:
That the unit requires two hands to operate. For every operation, you
need to hold down one of the functions buttons then scroll the wheel
to change the value. This really stinks, since I'm usually holding
something else in my other hand. Another 'dip' switch, as Sekonic
calls them, should be added that allows the unit to be operated with
one-hand (ie., automatically 'holds' certain function button while you
toggle).