That's right, flash exposure. Many exposure meter, so the gutters Digisix exposure meter are not able to short light pulse (often 1/1000 down to a few 1 / 1000000s) of flash units from permanent to differentiate / ambient light and are therefore suitable only as a substitute for the Exposure Metering System camera's own, but not in lightning studio. So here caution. In addition, "LW" or "EVs" of Gossen is in contrast to the DSLR actual light values (and not a recommendation for aperture value / shutter speed), the so-called. (Exposure Value) that emerge every possible combination between aperture and shutter speed naturally from the. So you do not around reckon there is a (purely mechanical) rotary knob, the so-called arithmetic ring that allows you to LW -. Such as determined by measurement - in some small little window set and the outer ring, the opposing pairings for correct can determine exposure.
This goes even without measuring, ie the gutters makes the aperture table unnecessary. The scale respectively showing whole aperture values (ie F1, 1.4, 2, 2.8, 4, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22, 32 and the corresponding powers of the exposure time of 1 / 2000s, 1 / 1000s, 1 / 500s until 4min , a bit confusing with '2', '1', '500, referred to 4), by ticks further divided into practical increments. Who has a motive table with light values in mind (. S the Google keywords "Fred Parker exposure value chart"), which may result from "object in bright sunlight" -> F / 8 -> LW15; pick out 1 / 500s. Caution is advised when cameras of course, their native sensitivity is not at 100ISO, then the table must be corrected accordingly.
Fortunately, the gutters is not a slide-rule and therefore allow the sensor to adjust (or film) sensitivity in the menu. For this purpose is in the "Ambient light measurement" (which dominates the Digiflash quite naturally also) the function button (with the "" on it) to hold until the unit beeps and "ISO" flashes on the display. Then you can take the measuring button ("M") to go through the usual values and confirm with the function key. When Digiflash the value thus set for ambient and flash light applies.
In addition to these two basic modes (the gutters remain in flash metering about 30 seconds ready to measure, then the M-button must be pressed again) can light and object measurements. In the latter case, the matt white, captive cap is pushed aside and not directed the unit to the light source but the motive. All the light values are numerically and third grades indicated by one or two points.
Also a new feature of Digiflash opposite the -SiX is the option to set a flash sync speed (1-1 / 500s), probably a time slot to which the device determines whether there is indeed a lightning or fluctuations in the ambient brightness. Standard 1 / 125s used in my experiments a reasonable value. Unfortunately, it is the manual for the background of this option is not great, so in this respect recommendations for action remain in the dark.
On the list of Extras are still the so-called. "Contrast measurement" (ie, the deviation of two consecutive measurements in LC / EV), the fine correction of the factory sensor calibration, and the more in the "toy" to be resettled timer function, the clock / alarm function (possibly yet for photofinishing Friends interesting) and thermometer with Min / Max option - probably a waste product of the Temperaturkompension SBC silicon photodiode.
For handling: The non-illuminated LCD display is large enough, the operation via two keys a little fiddly but tolerable. Most specialties you will in any case only a 1x, or after changing the battery.
Included is a (separable) loop belt which is to fashion the most compact cameras threaded through an eyelet at the bottom of Digiflash and secured. The other end is carried out through a slit in the supplied case also, so the gutters during transport is relatively well protected, the case permanently connected and can get stuck in the operation. The point of separation of the tape from the unit could, however, have somewhat greater distance, as a result the case dangling uncomfortably close to the controls and interferes. To assemble the battery (a far vebreitete button cell CR2032) one takes a somewhat fragile drawer at the bottom of the device on, inserts the battery, and push the drawer shut. The contact-making is good, the locking mechanism of the loading could be better, ie stable.
On the subject of "duration" writes Gossen: "[...] The exposure meter always shows you the last function The device does not switch off, the power consumption in this state is very low [...].." And somewhere in the Internet one could read that the meter is in standby remains operational for several years. This value I would describe as very optimistic and consequently far too high. One year the cell is likely to hold well until "BAT" appears on the display. Then the buttons are locked and the user should insert a new button cell. For this operation, it has a maximum of 10s time (a bit short), then all the settings are deleted and the Digiflash upon delivery. Annoying.
Here I must therefore find fault and pull off a star because on the one hand do not want a photographer constantly carry spare button cells "for just in case", on the other hand include current consumption at this level now no longer the norm. In the power-hungry feature "Time" as well as their permanent display can do without any in return.
Another point deduction for the somewhat unfortunate solution to the transport bag (which you certainly can make a difference in the package, if it bothers zusehr) and the somewhat sensitive battery drawer. Nearly every bicycle speedometer solves the problem the better. Also in practical operation continually used small window for setting the determined light values is too small for a nerve-free operation in a darkened studio. Alone with an LED backlight for a few cents here would adequately remedied. However, if something like this will, must be the more expensive Gossen Digipro F Watch digital exposure meter for flash and ambient light exposure meter Digipro F2 (made by Gossen) H261A Lightning exposure meters Lightning Knife Cine-meters or Gossen DIGISKY meter.
There remain three points for a practical, but because of the limitations mentioned something overpriced device.
