Sekonic L-308 S FLASHMATE: What can he, who needs him?

- Anyone who uses a camera without built-in exposure meter. This still applies to many older analogue cameras, particularly in the field of medium and large format photography.
- If you want to check, supplement or replace the measurement of its analogue or digital camera. This will be useful in some cases, but not that I want to represent an example at this point.

The Sekonic L-308 S FLASHMATE can three things:

- It measures the light reflected from the subject here, and then to the appropriate exposure for the aperture value. The exposure time should be selected previously. Even after the measurement time can be changed, the Flash Mate displays the most appropriate aperture. This is the most widely used measurement method, which is generally used by most cameras with built-in light meter. Unfortunately, the flash Mate has no viewfinder, so when measuring the user is not clear what area it measures actually.
- It measures the light falling on the subject. This light measurement is taken from the subject in direction camera. Here, a light-diffusing dome is pushed over the measuring eye. The light measurement has the advantage that it is independent of the nature of the subject's brightness. Also any great contrasts of the subject, which can lead to unreliable measurements otherwise, the light measurement not interfere. With great reliability to win accurate readings using this method. However, it has its limitations in the accessibility of the subject and in the relatively large duration of the measurement.

The Flash can Mate astonishing amount: measure flashlight (two ways), measure the incident light and measuring the reflected light. He assumes that the user is familiar with the methods of photometry and reflection measurement. He should know the circumstances in which one or the other measuring methods should be applied. If this condition is met, you win with the help of this light meter optimum values ​​for the exposure of a subject. Of course situations where the flash Mate is reaching its limits and you look more wants a device with spot metering.

Those looking for a lightweight (80g) and handy device and is familiar with light and reflection measurement, here a full meter, which leads practical when used to wholly owned results.

The foregoing report is based on experience in dealing with the Sekonic L-308 Flash Mate now in six months. He is a slight but almost complete alternative to my spot meter for me. My experiences are positve, and the Flash Mate will accompany me on.