Summary One of those purchases that worked out better than expected.
This little meter has gotten lots of use in rugged conditions. It is amazing the number of clients who have been very pleased to see the temperature displayed in some documentary photographs of work sites.
On days of varying lighting this has been real handy to just stick (literally with velcro or gaffer's tape) in the corner of what will be the photo for reference. For test shots you can compare the reading (you can do this with any meter admittedly) with the cameras for one more check! And it also tells time. Time, Temperature and incident and ambient light, a handy combination. I got this one a little cheaper the normal as part of a promotion with another MUCH more expensive Gossen meter.
It is accurate, only changed batteries once in 3+ years. Of course there are very limited options in terms of stops, no advanced features for filtering, accumulated measurement etc.
Used it a number of times with a 4x5 camera under variable conditions and the thermometer came in handy than one might expect! The ambient temp of the camera was cooler or warmer from the case and the meter in the case reminded me of that and allowing for it prevented wasting film and shots with a camera adjusting to conditions. Probably paid for itself on one or two days in film alone!
More than accurate enough for most non-studio work where a spot meter isn't required as a 'double check' to more expensive meters or TTL systems.
Strengths -Demonstrably durable. Has been dropped repeatedly and works.
-Compact size
-Easy to read under most conditions (see below)
-Thermometer and Clock.
Weaknesses -Plastic, but only has one gouge from some ham handed photographer!
-No real functions for memory and comparison.
-Obviously limited in use to basic readings.
-Can be tricky to read if not in hand or in the lens of the camera as it is small.
-At full price, it is expensive compared to some other similarly featured meters but They don't have the clock and thermometer. Probably wouldn't buy it at full retail.
-Buttons are touchy. Have to keep it away from things that can accidently depress the buttons. Have a small plastic case that works fine, but offsets much of size advantage as a result.
Similar Products Used I've used many light meters from Gossen and Sekonic to name two.
Customer Service Have not used it for this product.
Summary Well, one I have got has a clock, alarm and even tells your a temperature, but as a lightmeter, I am getting pretty much random exposure values. Even in constant light repeated measuring can look like this: 6, 6.2, 8, 6.1, 8.3 ... and it should be something like constant 4.
Strengths Small.
Weaknesses Doesn't measure light.
Similar Products Used Sekonic 608
Customer Service B&H - Shocking and still looking for Gossen's home page.
Summary This tiny little lightmeter attracted me, as I needed a reliable, yet easy-to-carry companion for my Leica M2. It has got everything I need. It fits easily into any pocket. Metering is reliable and exact enough, there is no significant difference to my other meters (Lunasix, Spotmaster, Leicameter).
I like Digisix's extra features such as clock, count-down clock and thermometer. It's easy to use and exactly the kind of meter I was looking for.
Strengths Tiny, lightweight, ease of use.
Weaknesses Buttons are pressed a bit too easily, so you can press them when being carried in a pocket.
Similar Products Used Gossen Lunasix, Sixtino, Spotmaster, Leicameter MC
Summary I don't think there is another light meter available which has the included features for such a small size. This in itself makes it a highly functional instrument.
Strengths Small & lightweight
Incident & reflected light
Easy-to-read dial output
Sensitive & reasonably accurate
Weaknesses Extra features such as the timer, clock & alarm detract from its functionality. Quite often the mode button is inadvertently pressed in the pocket or in the bag, making the meter useless if required straight away. It is also expensive for what it is.
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