Pleasing photographers and filmmakers alike, Sekonic has released its newest flagship light meter: the Speedmaster L-858D-U. Succeeding the L-758-series of dedicated photo and cine meters, the new L-858D-U meter offers a comprehensive set of photo and filmmaking measuring capabilities, ranging from the ability to read flash and ambient light using incident or reflective methods, and present exposure data in various ways to suit multimedia shooters. An expanded illuminance range allows taking readings down to 0.1 lux, and all the way up to 2,000,000 lux, as well as an ambient incident measuring range of EV -5 to 22.9 at ISO 100, and the effective ISO range has also been expanded from ISO 3 to ISO 13,107, 200 with an ISO 850 setting for cine users.
Benefitting photographers, this meter is capable of measuring flash durations from 1/40 to 1/55,000 second, and supports making High-Speed Sync measurements with flashes and studio strobes when set to HSS modes. The L-858D-U accepts optional radio modules for PocketWizard and Elinchrom/Phottix systems for wireless triggering and remote control, and the meter also offers a unique Flash Analyzing Function to measure flash and ambient levels simultaneously to display the percentage of which flash contributes to the final overall exposure for easier adjustment of the flash-ambient light ratio.
Regarding its physical design, the L-858D-U carries over a similar form factor as the L-758 meters, but incorporates a 2.7” color touchscreen as first seen in the L-478D meters for intuitive, tactile control. A rotating lumisphere and integrated 1° spot meter can be used for measuring, and the meter sports dust- and spash-proof physical construction for use in inclement conditions. Additionally, a Micro-USB port is featured for updating firmware, applying custom settings, and to use exposure profiling.
