Equipped with a large and intuitive 2.7" color touchscreen LCD and now featuring built-in radio flash power control and triggering for the PocketWizard ControlTL and standard wireless systems, the Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478DR-U Light Meter PocketWizardfrom Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478DR-U Light Meter PocketWizardwill make incident metering for ambient and flash light super simple. The ability of this system enables complete control of the flash's power in 0.1-step increments. Along with this, the radio system has separate selection between 3 zones for ControlTL or 4 zones for standard triggering with measured values maintained for ratio determination.

Notable for the L-478 light meter series is the large color touchscreen, which allows for fast control over settings for both ambient and flash metering. The meter is quite capable as well, able to function within a range of -2 to 22.9 EV at ISO 100. Additionally, for the current crop of hybrid shooters this model expands on its standard stills functions with two distinct video modes: Cine and HD Cine. These settings give access to frame rate selection from 1-1,000 fps as well as shutter angle settings from 1-358° as well as ISO 850 for Canon cinema cameras.

Guaranteeing the best possible performance is a suite of functions and features that will ensure users have the best tools available to them. Among these is a flash analyzing function that uses ambient and flash simultaneously to allow for shooters to dial in their preferred mix. Also, using the included Data Transfer Software users will be able to do Exposure Profiling for their camera by using the optional 5° viewfinder, showing dynamic range limits and knowing that you will have an accurate exposure. Alongside this is a Filtration Compensation Mode that allows for the meter to account for filter factor, which can now be done at up to 12 EV for landscape shooters using high-density ND filters. Other features include a contrast function for comparing brightness, a memory mode for 9 readings, and illuminance or luminance measurement.

Flash Power Control & Radio Triggering    Incident Metering for Ambient & Flash    Range: -2 to 22.9 EV at ISO 100    Cine Setting: Frame Rate & Shutter Angle    2.7" Color Touchscreen LCD    Flash Analyzing Function    Filtration Compensation Mode    Illuminance/Luminance Measurements    Contrast Function & Memory Mode    Custom Exposure Profiles & Calibration

Lumisphere receptor head rotates 90° right and 180° left and retracts for conversion to a flat diffuser

Optional 5° viewfinder for spot metering

Ambient light measuring modes include aperture priority, shutter speed priority, TF priority, CINE, HD Cine, illuminance, and luminance

Flash can be measured with PC sync terminal connection, cordless, or radio triggering

Measuring range at ISO 100 of -2 to 22.9 EV with incident light or 3 to 19.9 EV with reflected light

ISO range of 3 to 409,600 in 1/3 steps, including 850 for Canon cinema cameras

Other functions: exposure profile, mid tone function, exposure compensation, filter compensation, multiple cumulative function, memory/clear/recall function, average function, contrast function, auto power off, touch panel lock

Runs on 2 AAA batteries, which must be purchased separately

Firmware upgradeable via mini-USB port

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. Hi,do you believe it would be usefull to buy the Elinchrom HS skyport as a complement to the Sekonic 478dr u el ? As all I see is the High speed sync feature that the skyport would provide. Other than that I believe they have more or less the same functionality. Thanks

A: YES. Get the pair. Elinchrom Skyport works differently that any other radio system. That is, when you touch the + or - on the meter, it sends a signal to the flash at that instant and the flash is set at that level. If your flash is buried in a light box or you cannot walk around in back of it, you can't see what power level is set. So you can stand at the subject position and point the 478DR-UEL at each light and adjust it separately. Then get the total reading for the shot. IF you have the Skyport HS on the camera, simply touch the refresh button on the Skyport HS and it send out a command to get the different power level settings on each flash and those pop up in the LCD panel of the Skyport HS. Any additional power control can be done with either the meter or the Skyport HS. A pretty amazing pair. The HS feature of the Skyport system is also very useful for outdoor shooting.

Q: 2. How well will this work with the Indra 500

A: It does a fine job. You must set the Indra to receive Strato II signals. It would be best to use a Strato II Transmitter as it has ABCD groups. But you could also use an Odin Transmitter which has ABC groups. There is no power control as the Phottix system is not set up to allow it.

Q: 3. Can I use it wth other Flash units in the same as the non Eilenchrom version? In case I want to add Eilenchrom lighting later.

A: I'm sorry, but I don't know. I don't have the Elinchrome verson.

Q: 4. Hi,do you believe it would be usefull to buy the Elinchrom HS skyport as a complement to the Sekonic 478dr ? As all I see is the High speed sync feature that the skyport would provide. Other than that I believe they have more or less the same functionality. Thanks

A: Yes, you should decide whether you need hi speed sync or not. For that it's wonderful. You really don't need the HS if not. However if you use the regular Skyport now the HS is so much nicer.

Q: 5. will Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478DR-PX radio control system work with the canon speed lite transmitter st-e3-rt and the canon 600ex-rx flash?

A: No; this meter can only communicate with Phottix Strato II receivers.

Q: 6. Can I use L-478DR-U to measure the light even though i don't have pocket wizard control flex TT5?

A: Absolutely. The meter operates in ambient or studio light.

Q: 7. Which model of Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478 will trigger Paul Buff CyberSync remotes?

A: The Cyber Sync protocols have not been shared with anybody so only work with another PCB CyberSync. The PX version of the L478 triggers Phottix Strato based radio triggers. The DR-U triggers PocketWizard. The EL version of the L-478 triggers and controls Elinchrom flashes with Skyport in them.PocketWizard makes interfaces to PCB that you can use. The Plus series will trigger them. The ControlTL (Mini and Flex) will allow power control through the meter. I have some PCB AlienBees that I can trigger and power control. Pretty amazing to work with.

Q: 8. What is the interoperability between L-478DR-U-EL and EL- Skyport Plus HS, do you need a dumb trigger on-camera or how the setup should be?

A: With the Skyport system, when you touch the +/- on the Skyport transmitter, the signal is instantly sent to the light and it changes to the commanded amount. What is interesting is that Skyport receivers built into lights also transmit back the now at power level amount. However, until the Skyport HS, there was never a Skyport Transmitter that could receive the signal from the receivers. SO. When you turn on the Skyport HS, it seeks out all of the EL lights in the room and they report back the light type, serial number, and power level set now (pretty amazing actually). Enter the 478-U-EL. Tap the power screen and the light changes with each tap, +/- 0.1 with each tap. Touch the Refresh button on the Skyport HS and it sends a request signal to the lights and they report back. Take a shot with the Skyport HS on the camera and a trigger signal goes to flashes which fire at the levels they are already set at. If you +/- the power level from the Skyport HS, it sends the signal to the light which changes immediately and reports back the new power level which the Skyport HS catches and displays. This is really fun to watch and a total giggle to use. The combination EL light, Skyport HS, 478EL IS the fastest, easiest, most unobtrusive flash control system-exposure control every created.Need more light? Tap the screen and shoot. What to know exactly what the exposure is? Press the meter's measuring button and get it. Amazing stuff.

Q: 9. Is it compatible with the Flex TT 6?

A: This can be used with a TT6.

Q: 10. can this meter be used with the elinchrombrx500 ?

A: Yes, and the older Ranger Rx, Quadra Ranger, as well as the New Skyport Receiver for Speed Lights!