Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe 70Th Anniversary Light Meter

Sekonic L-398a Studio Deluxe 70th Anniversary Light Meter

Product Code: eq72663
Availability: In Stock

$1,494.00 $1,942.20

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Description
Reviews (34)

70 years ago an imaginative company introduced the Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe 70th Anniversary Light MeterL-398A, an idea that would evolve years later to this celebration of the company's steadfast course that has transformed time and the quest for excellence into unmatched quality, celebrated here with the L-398A Studio Deluxe 70th Anniversary Edition Light Meter.

This meter represents years of evolution. I believe that Ansel Adams had at least one in his large collection of meters. Like those meters, the Special Edition is up to date and can do anything the original L-398A can, just with a little more style. A handy feature of the meter is that owing to the Amorphous Photo Sensor, the meter needs no batteries!

Although the L-398A Studio Deluxe 70th Anniversary Edition meter is bound to become collector's item, take it out for a run sometime, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

No Batteries: Amorphous Photo Sensor Special Burgundy with Rose-Gold Accents 70th Anniversary, No Battery Required Fast Reading of Aperture/Shutter Combos Reads lux, fc, Cine

Key Specs
Meter Type	Ambient
Light Reading Method	Incident, Reflected
Diffuser	Spherical Flat
Display	Indicator Needle
Battery	No
Parameters
Metering
Light Reading Method	Incident, Reflected
Aperture Range	f/0.7 to 128 (1, 1/3-Step Increments)
EV Range	Ambient, Incident: 4 to 17 EV Ambient, Reflected: 9 to 17 EV
ISO Range	6 to 12,000
Shutter Speed Range	1/8000 to 60 Seconds (1-Step Increments)
Exposure Memory	Yes, 1 Readings
Physical
Receptor Element	Silicon Photodiode
Diffuser	Spherical Flat
Display	Indicator Needle
Media Card Reader	No
Tripod Mounting Thread	No
Environmental
Operating Temperature	32 to 104°F / 0 to 40°C
Storage Temperature	-4 to 140°F / -20 to 60°C
General
Battery	No
Dimensions	4.4 x 2.3 x 1.3" / 112 x 58 x 34 mm
Weight	6.4 oz / 181.0 g
Packaging Info
Package Weight	1.82 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)	10.4 x 6.9 x 3.6"

The analog dial gives you full range of exposure settings for both still and cine applications at a single glance. The analog needle indicates the brightness in foot candles

As light receptor element, amorphous photosensor is newly adopted. It is unnecessary to bring replacement batteries

Memory pointer for quick and easy reference to your last measured value

Swivel head and needle lock facilitate easy and accurate readings

Lumigrid for measuring reflected light

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. What is the f-stop range? Will it measure to f64?

A: The following unit offers a f-stop range of 0.5-90

Q: 2. Is the case for the regular L398A real leather?

A: The case included with Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe III Light Meter is made of synthetic leather.

Q: 3. Hello; does this meter comes with color matching leather strap, color matching leather pouch and meter with meter display box plus all accessories? Do all supplied in special larger black box? Is this the way this meter supplied? Or just the display box only? Thanks.

A: Yes Sekonic L-398A Studio Deluxe 70th Anniversary Edition Light Meter does include matching strap and pouch. Please take a look at this photo as it shows the strap and pouch it comes with. https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-ehtp7ad03x/images/stencil/1000x1000/products/112/404/MeterLeathercasestrap__91203.1624367233.jpg?c=1

Q: 4. Does anyone know if the selenium diode in the meter wears out.Or, can it last for 30+ years?

A: Over time the meter will need adjustment. Sekonic, and Quality Light Metric, In Hollywood, Ca. are my go to sources for meter repair/cell replacement. Leaving the meter in the unlocked mode, and in the case, when not in use should extend the service life for many years.

Q: 5. What is the highest ISO?

A: The highest ISO reading is 8000.

Q: 6. Will this meter fire Godex strobes wirelessly?

A: This will only trigger a Godox light wirelessly if you have a trigger plugged into the pc port on the meter.

Q: 7. The L-208 comes with a flash shoe mount. Does this come with one and/or have an easy method of mounting it to a flash shoe?

A: The 398 was never designed to be used mounted on a camera. It has a metal body and a large magnet in it that is actually not a great thing to have around any digital recording devices. If small and simple is what you are looking for, the 208 is a very nice meter. The 398 is a very traditional meter that is modeled after one of the very first light meters and first incident measuring meter.

Q: 8. Can this unit trigger (and meter) a Godox flash via a PC to 3.5mm adapter cable? If so, is there any advantage to this over using the 'meter flash' mode on the meter without connecting to flash via sync cable? Thank you.

A: If your Godox flash has a 3.5mm (1/8") miniphone sync terminal, then yes, you may use a PC-to-miniphone sync cable to connect the flash to the light meter, and pressing the TEST button on the meter will trigger the flash and measure its output. Do note that the flash must be in Manual mode and you must set the flash output manually, as it will not measure TTL automatic flash output. If measured from the same distance, you should get the same/similar reading to using the Cordless Flash Mode.

Q: 9. Would this be a good light meter to use for studio still life/portrait work? I use film cameras for this work.

A: As long as you are measuring available light, (not flash) this is a great meter.

Q: 10. When set to measure and display the f-stop @ +/- 0.1 EV does it affect the ability to set the time in 1/3 increments to match cameras shutter speed? I ask because the 358 has this limitation where its either one or the other.

A: As indicated under the [NOTICE] section on page 32 of the Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter's instruction manual, when using EV mode in PHOTO mode, the 1/10 step increment is displayed whichever increment is set. Shutter speed settings may be displayed in either full, 1/2, or 1/3-stop values. You would have to use the Custom Setting function to set the increments of aperture and shutter speed that are displayed. You would use the [CS2] Custom Setting function in the Custom Setting function by holding the [MODE] button, then press the [POWER] button to turn the meter on. You would then press the [UP] or [DOWN] buttons on the right-hand side of the light meter to select the desired custom setting number [CS2]. You would then press the [Mode] button until the desired increment setting is desired. [1.0] indicates one step, displaying settings in 1/10 steps. [0.5] indicates 1/2 step, and [0.3] indicates 1/3 step. For more information, you may view the of the Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter's instruction manual under the "In The Box" section under the Overview tab on our webpage.

Roger	26/09/2024
[6 to 12,000] This is just what my meter-less film cameras needed. 5

Roger	26/09/2024
[6 to 12,000] This is just what my meter-less film cameras needed. 5

Roger	26/09/2024
[6 to 12,000] This is just what my meter-less film cameras needed. 5

John Paul	11/09/2024
[1.82 lb] Works great for older, non-metered cameras. 5

John Paul	11/09/2024
[1.82 lb] Works great for older, non-metered cameras. 5

John Paul	11/09/2024
[1.82 lb] Works great for older, non-metered cameras. 5

Daryl	05/09/2024
[1.82 lb] Easy to use, accurate and quality construction. 5

Michael	25/08/2024
[1.82 lb] A solid manual light meter. I haven’t used a light meter since my film days but ran in to a couple of situations where one would have been very handy. Best part is it doesn’t require batteries, so I can leave it in my bag and not worry it will be ready to use. 5

Michael	25/08/2024
[1.82 lb] A solid manual light meter. I haven’t used a light meter since my film days but ran in to a couple of situations where one would have been very handy. Best part is it doesn’t require batteries, so I can leave it in my bag and not worry it will be ready to use. 5

Sterling	22/08/2024
[6 to 12,000] This is a classic & easy to use meter updated to be even better. The Cell is a modern amorphous silicon photocell & it still has the advantage of no battery to run down. one reviewer complained that the current case has no storage for the accessory Lumidisc & Lumigrid spheres. That bothered me too so I took a chance on a Lowepro Ridge 10 Mini Camera Case. It works well but not quite perfect. The actual meter is just a bit tight in the pouch but it will fit. Even better it has a front zipper pocket which takes the two accessory disks just right. It also hangs well around the neck on an included strap. One other thing. This is a STUDIO meter. By it's nature it needs a decent level of light such as in studio or outdoors to read. It is not suitable for very dark lighting, nor does it have lots of exotic accessories. It is a solid reliable day to day meter without the inconvenience of batteries. If it fits your uses buy one. They were & are a pleasure to use day after day. 5