Sekonic L-718 Digi Master Light Meter Reviews

Rating
Reviewed by: longbow
(Professional)

Review Date
August 2, 2003

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
4.75 of 5,
4 votes

Review 1 of 7

Price Paid: $0.00

Summary:

The best meter I've ever owned. Meters everything with intuitive ease, from studio flash for people and products, to ambiant and combined lighting indoors and out. Multiple pops are a breeze, and memory on/off is simple as can be.

Strengths:

Everything already mentioned plus very long battery life, well lit display when needed, non-slip rubber grip, multi-directional light dome, lanyard cord attachment, if you're so inclined, and spot reading with an optional attachment.

Weaknesses:

None. Personally, don't need available light spot metering from the 718; all my cameras have BTL spot metering, which can sometimes be more accurate than hand held spot meters, as individual lens transmitance and filter factor losses are compensated for automatically, in most cases, in-camera. Sadly, unit has been discontinued. But the good news is that this rugged unit may be the last light meter I'll ever need.

Similar Products Used:

Other Seconic, Gossen.

Customer Service:

Never needed.

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Rating
Reviewed by: Dean Madaus
(Expert)

Review Date
August 15, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 2 of 7

Price Paid: $187.00 from ebay

Summary:

An excellent light meter. If you need spot capability, you can buy the add on unit for a 5 degree spot meter. This is a great meter if you don't want to waste money on the other ones that have spot built in but would like to have the flexibility in the future to do spot.

Strengths:

Easy to use. Love the selector slider to switch from ambient to flash. You don't have to hit a button several times to cycle through the selections (like on the 508). Love the rubberized shell. Feels great and helps protect the plastic. Has great add-on stuff like an optional spot meter. Low cost.

Weaknesses:

The only weakness that I can think of is it's size. But when you compare it to other meters, it really is not a weakness. Waterproof would be nice.

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic 508, 308

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Rating
Reviewed by: David Shacklee
(Expert)

Review Date
January 19, 2001

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 3 of 7

Price Paid: $325.00 from B & H Photo and Video

Summary:

The meter is great. Large enough to hold on to but stores easily. Extremely accurate and easy to use, some day I'll read the manual. I use it for portraits (for pay) and wild flowers (for fun)and it works great for both. Swiveling head comes in handy for both

Strengths:

Accurate, easy to use. great in studio and on location. Great for people and scenics

Weaknesses:

None percieved so far. I do wish it was water resistant though.

Similar Products Used:

Minolta, Polaris and Vivitar

Customer Service:

Not needed

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Rating
Reviewed by: Aaron Rocky
(Casual)

Review Date
June 19, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Review 4 of 7

Model Reviewed:
L-718 Digi Master Light Meter

Summary:

I was hesitating between minolta and sekonic, decided on sekonic for recent free instruction book promotion. I'm very happy with this meter.

Strengths:

Accurate, easy to use, plenty of features, good quality, cost effective.

Weaknesses:

none

Similar Products Used:

none

Customer Service:

excellent

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Rating
Reviewed by: Terry Wallace
(Professional)

Review Date
June 14, 2000

Overall Rating
5 of 5

Value Rating
5 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5,
1 votes

Review 5 of 7

Model Reviewed:
L-718 Digi Master Light Meter

Summary:

I have had this meter for years now and would buy another one if something happened to this one. I can shoot chrome dead on with this meter. In my shooting situations I could not function without a meter I can trust and this one is a relaible work horse. We shoot mostly on location and this meter has held up under hard conditions.

Terry Wallace
Wallace Photography & Design
http://www.terrywallace.com

Strengths:

EZ to use. It has the features I need. both cord & uncord flash plus multiple pops. The light is great for night shots and low light studio work.

Weaknesses:

None

Similar Products Used:

Sekonic L-328 F

Customer Service:

I had a Sekonic that died on an out of town shoot after years of use. I sent it to Sekonic; their repair department informed me it was unfixable and sent me a $75 credit toward any Sekonic meter. So I moved up to L-718

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