Sekonic L-358 Flash Meter

Overview

The Sekonic L-358 Flash Master is an advanced, yet easy to operate, exposure analyzing light meter, that incorporates the latest technology in handheld meters. The L-358 features a retractable incident Lumisphere for standard or cosine corrected light readings, provides both hemispherical and narrow angle readings. Measurements can be taken in either incident or flash metering modes with accurate and convenient flash and ambient analyzing. In all electronic flash measurements, an analyzing feature simultaneously evaluates both flash and ambient light and displays the values in three ways: a) combined readings of flash and ambient, b) percentage of flash in the total exposure or c) simultaneous display of flash, ambient and combined readings on the analog scale. An easy-to-read illuminated LCD panel directly displays full, 1/2 or 1/3-stop shutter speeds or apertures and exposure/calibration compensation. Selecting settings is quick and easy with the built-in Jog wheel and cine shutter speeds up to 360 frames per second makes the L-358 a versatile tool in the most demanding lighting scenario. Optional spot finders extend the versatility of the meter with a choice of 1, 5 or 10 degree measuring angles with a viewable parallax-free viewfinder.

- PLUS -
The L-358 Sekonic Flash Master incorporates the world's first optional internal Digital Radio Transmitter Module compatible with Sekonic and PocketWizard Digital Radio Receivers, which eliminates the need for an additional external transmitter at the meters position.

Features

Analyzing Function
A simultaneous reading of flash and ambient light is analyzed. The readings are displayed in three different ways on the LCD:

1. Combined readings of flash and ambient
2. Percentage of flash in the total exposure
3. Simultaneous display of flash, ambient and combined readings on the analog display

Retractable Lumisphere
A built-in adjustable incident dome (Lumisphere) provides full measuring in the standard position or when retracted, provides cosine corrected light readings for individual light source measurements or flat artwork.

Memory Mode
9 memory banks are available in both Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority Modes, making contrast evaluation and averaging possible in both modes.

Illuminated Direct Display
Both shutter speeds and apertures can be displayed in full, 1/2 or 1/3 step increments to accommodate most camera manufacturer’s settings.

Exposure, Calibration and Filter Compensation
Exposure compensation of +/-9.9 EV
Calibration compensation of +/-1.0 EV

Dual ISO Settings
Allows the photographer to take single light readings and display the exposure settings in two different ISO film speeds such as negative film and Polaroid proofing film. The second ISO setting is also ideal for calculating exposure compensation such as filter factors or bellows factors, without having to change the original film speed settings.

Cine Speeds
Complete range of full and half-frame speeds from 2 to 360 f.p.s (frames per second)

Full-Featured Flash Measurements
1. Cord Flash Mode
2. Cordless Flash Mode
3. Multiple Exposure, Cumulative Flash Mode
4. Radio Triggering Mode

All Weather Design
All buttons, switches and compartments are sealed and the meter housing has been constructed with durable, rugged conditions in mind. Ideal for shooting in sandy, rainy or humid conditions.

Optional Radio Transmitter Module
Optional internal digital radio transmitter module
Compatible with PocketWizard Digital Radio Receivers,
16 standard PocketWizard channels (ID# 1-16) and 16 "Quad Triggering" multi-zone channels (ID# 17-32) are accessed through the meter's integral software and displayed on its LCD panel. In "Quad Triggering" mode, up to 4 electronic flash units can be individually triggered and measured wirelessly by the meter.

Optional Spot View Finders Parallax-free 1°, 5° or 10° (angle of acceptance) precise spot metering viewfinders attach quickly and easily to the meter's receptor head.

Full compatibility with PocketWizard
PocketWizard is an established manufacturer known for the most reliable Radio Triggering devices and offers three models to satisfy simple to complex triggering and timing problems: Plus (4 ch./Transmitter and Receiver Units), MAX (32 ch. w/Quad Triggering/Transmitter and Receiver Units) and MultiMAX (32 ch. w/Quad Triggering/Transceiver Units and advanced timing and triggering functions). All PocketWizard units are compact and rugged, designed for professional dependability.

Specifications

Type	Digital exposure meter for ambient and flash
Light receiving method	Incident and reflected light
Incident	Convertible to flat diffuser (lumisphere in down position)
Reflected	Lumigrid 54° (standard accessory)
Light receptors	Silicon photo diodes (incident and reflected)
Ambient light	Aperture priority metering Shutter speed priority metering EV metering value
Flash	With synch cord (cumulative, non-cumulative) Without synch cord (cumulative, non-cumulative) With radio triggering (cumulative, non-cumulative)
Radio technology	Complex 16/24 bit digitally coded
Range	Up to 100 feet from transmitter to receiver
Channels	1 to 16 channels standard, 17 to 32 “Quad Triggering”
Compatibility	Sekonic and PocketWizard Digital Radio Receivers
Ambient	Incident light: EV(-) 2 to EV22.9[NL] Reflected light: EV(-) 2 to EV22.9
Optional Spot Finder	NPF 1° EV5 to EV24.4 NPF 5° EV2 to EV24.4 NPF 10° EV2 to EV24.4
Flash	Incident light: f/1.0 to f/90.9 Reflected light: f/1.0 to f/90.9
Optional Spot Finder	NPF 1° f/8.0 to f/124 NPF 5° f/2.8 to f/124 NPF f/2.8 to f/124
Film speeds	ISO 3 to ISO 8000 (1/3 steps)
Shutter speeds	Ambient: 30 minutes to 1/8000 second (full, 1/2 or 1/3 steps) Flash: 30 minutes to 1/1000 second (full, 1/2 or 1/3 steps) Plus: 1/75, 1/80, 1/90, 1/100, 1/200 and 1/400 second
Cine speeds (f/s)	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 (at a 180° shutter angle)
F/stop	f/1.0 to f/90.9 (full, 1/2 or 1/3 steps)
EV	EV(-) 9.9 to EV36.1 (1/10 steps)
Analog display	F-Scale: f/1.0 to f/90 (in 1/2 steps) T-Scale: 2 seconds to 1/4000 second (in 1/2 steps)
All weather design	JIS (Japanese Industry Standard) standard water resistance class 4, splash-proof type
Memory function	9 readings on analog scale (f/stop and shutter speed) with memory recall
Multiple flash function	Unlimited flash readings (Only last digit is displayed when more than ten flash exposures are measured.)
Average function	Flash and ambient reads up to nine measurements
Flash analyzing function	Percentage of flash in total exposure from 0 to 100% in 10% increments
Brightness difference	Flash or ambient light evaluation (original value vs new measurement)
Exposure out of range	E.u (underexposure) or E.o (overexposure) indication
Battery power indicator	With a symbol in 3 status levels
Auto shut-off	Shuts down after 20 minutes of non-use
Auto illumination	EV6 and under for 20 sec.
Exposure compensation	± 9.9EV (in 1/10th steps)
Calibration compensation	± 1.0EV (in 1/10th steps)
Repeatable accuracy	±0.1EV or less
Calibration constant	Incident metering: Lumisphere C=340 Flat diffuser C=250 Reflected metering: K=12.5
Power source	3.0Vx1 (CR123A lithium battery)
Operating temperature range	(-)10° to 50° C
Storage temperature range	(-)20° to 60° C
Dimensions	2.4W x 6.1H x 1.46D” (60W x 155H x 37D mm)
Weight	5.4 oz. (153g)