
Review Summary
2016-09-06T06:21:10
Accurate, easy to use & very portable. No reason not to have it with you.
GEORGE T.
2016-09-05T12:41:20
This is the second Sekonic L-308 I've owned -- I sold the first one, after about a decade of use, when I decided I didn't need a light meter any more, Then, I did -- so I bought a new one. This meter is a great value: For under 200 bucks you get incident, reflected and flash metering; the latter function saved my bacon many times when shooting in the studio. (Only drawback is, it's not wireless -- you have to plug in the cord.) I guess there's a cine function, too, but I've never used it. The meter fits in a vest or jacket pocket, runs for a long time on a single AA battery (I use alkaline, a rechargeable might work OK), is easy to switch functions, has a sliding incident dome that moves with a flick of the thumb. All in all, it's a great light meter. If you need a meter and don't want to spend big bucks for a fancy "pro" model, the L-308S is a good choice.
Michael S.
2016-09-02T16:07:21
I don't know what I did without this thing. Well worth the money.
Michael F.
2016-08-29T09:38:25
This light meter is awesome very easy to use.
ROMMEL G.
2016-04-05T03:41:45
This is a good meter to start with. For landscape work it's great! For in studio work it's good too, but lacks one thing. A wireless flash trigger. So better either get a cord, or upgrade to another version. It's is still very accurate and works well!
AARON N.
2015-12-11T08:20:49
Great flash meter for the price.
GARY T.
2015-11-27T07:53:16
I use this with both medium format cameras that don't have a meter and with studio lighting. Functionality wise, it's 5 stars, but I have a couple gripes about the controls. First the good. It's easy to use and can report f-stop for a fixed speed or report EV (great for hasselblad) which is a good system to work in if you want to trade off shutter, aperture, ISO. I get excellent results on my d750 in manual mode (160 @ f/8 - 11) and Flashpoint Streaklights with this meter. It also seems to work well in reflected light mode by sliding the white dome off the sensor. It's an average reading, not a spot meter. The bad. The button to press to take a meter reading is very close to the up/down buttons that set your shutter speed. It's too easy to accidentally press one and not notice you've changed the speed. Cumulative errors could occur sending your f-stop or EV value way off. There's no beep. I found the manual a little difficult to follow. Basically, the meter can work in one of 4 modes. Reflected light (where you move the white dome off), incident light (you hold it by the subject using ambient light), flash (auto-detect), flash (via cable sync). I've used it in all the modes except cable sync and it functions well.
Marc M.
2015-09-21T21:00:00
I am really enjoying the Sekonic L 308 S light meter. the 1st thing about this meter is ease of use. 2nd is size fits in shirt pocket. 3rd just a fantastic tool to have in your camera bag, I have been using it constantly since recieving it.
CHELLIS S.
2015-07-25T21:00:00
This is a great light meter. It is easy to use, small and light weight! I can't ask for anything more.
DANIEL S.
2015-01-22T19:00:00
I bought the light meter last week. When I started to read the instructions, it warned not to use rechargeable batteries; for instance the Ni-MH I have. A slight matter for some, but I really do not feel like carrying around yet another type of battery in my camera case. I will be inquiring about a return next week.
TXYANK
2014-02-24T19:00:00
Nice little meter, vary basic in its abilities and it is based on shutter speed. I'm pretty new to using a light meter and this is the perfect one to start with. Functional, accurate and low cost compared to the big boys.
DEREK J.
2014-01-27T19:00:00
The L-308S is a good basic flash/ambient meter. I've owned a previous similar model, as well as a high-end Sekonic, and have found them to generally be reliable, and probably as durable as can be expected for a light meter. I don't use a meter much anymore, and this one serves my needs perfectly.
DAVID A.
2013-06-03T21:00:00
This is a fairly small but accurate meter. It tucks nicely in my bag, is quick and handy to whip out for a reading or two, and is simple to use. My only complaint is that it has a cheap plastic feel, where you get that creaky, slightly hollow plastic sort of feel when you hold it. But other than that, it's relatively inexpensive and it does what the more costly and larger units do, so I'm not complaining too much.
CHUCK H.
2013-06-03T21:00:00
Helps with understanding the camera vs lighting relationship.
John L.
2013-04-09T21:00:00
I've actually owned two of these. I used it less with my Leica M6 TTL, but I now own an M2, which does not have its own light meter. I use it to measure every picture I take. It is an essential part of my kit, and the quality of this meter is why I didn't even bother looking at other ones when I needed a new one.
Jim
2013-03-07T19:00:00
This meter is quite easy to use and has worked well for my portraiture. The only difficulty I have encountered is that it is easy to accidentally change settings. Accuracy has been consistently right on.
Opticalreflex
2012-05-13T21:00:00
Very accurate and compact. Gives you perfect exposures in every mode
NORMAN T.
2012-05-13T21:00:00
first light meter and wanted one that was simple. it took a about an hour to learn and set up for camera and works well. i do see abetter meter in the future but this one works well for travel.
MICHAEL B.
2012-04-01T21:00:00
This is good first meter for portraits and some general landscapes. If you need more accurate readings for landscapes or have the abililty to sync with your studio lights then you need to step up to a more full function meter. But this meter works great for its size and functions.
STEPHEN B.
2012-03-25T21:00:00
Location Portraiture is a lot of my business and it is accurate when the camera sometime is not on the mark.
None
2012-01-07T19:00:00
I was that photo student with borrowed equipment. So happy to finally have my own. At the end, makes my life easier!
Norma R.
2011-10-02T21:00:00
When I was in my studio I struggled to get the lighting perfect I was always trying to balance the reflective light with the flash now my frustration is over because this light meter helps me nail the exposure right the first time. I have used it on outdoor location shoots and it seems to work great there to. I love the small size because I can put it in my back pocket while moving around to a different location. I would recommend this all photographers but especially to those that are new to light meters because this light meter is very easy to use. I give it 10 Stars and a A++.
Sonya
2011-09-24T21:00:00
Best Basic Light/Flash Meter on the market. Highly recommend
ED W.
2011-09-04T21:00:00
I'm glad I bought this light meter. It is easy to use and understand.
DK
2011-09-03T21:00:00
Always use it with my film work and the pictures turn out great exposure wise!
Lazyleung
2011-07-22T21:00:00
This light meter has all the features of more expensive models. The drawback is that the construction is a little on the delicate side. But, I tend to keep good care of my photo stuff so I suspect it will provide me with years of service. Great for outdoor photography when trying to match a flash with a bright background and studio work.
IVAN I.
2011-03-31T21:00:00
Works instantly, no waiting for a needle to settle, no squinting at tiny numbers. Absolutely accurate. For street shooting, one incident reading in the sun, one in the shade, you're done. Reads studio strobes for digital too. Completely worth the money.
Scott P.
2011-02-22T19:00:00
I read reviews after reviews on this unit before I bought. i read many internet posts that said "light meters are not needed anymore since the digital age. Well I am glad that I didn't listen to most of them...because I went ahead and bought this meter from Adorama and it has helped my photography about a million per cent. I get the perfect exposure ever time. We make dogbeds at work, so we take photos with dogs in them. I don't get a lot of chances to capture a great shot, sometimes i only get one chance. This meter gives me perfect camera settings to catch that "one moment". I only wish I would have bought one 2 or 3 years ago. This is a fantastic unit and works great in the studio and on location. I will probably buy another to insure that i am never without one!! Buy this meter..and your life will be easier!
JAMES B.
2011-01-13T19:00:00
Very easy to use. Very accurate right out of the box. I've used separate flash and light meters for years but now to have them both in one it saves me a lot of time and trouble.
JAMES M.
2011-01-12T19:00:00
A gift to my Grandson, to make his studies more meanifull.
chadmo