Very good accuracy, very good build quality, uses commonly available batteries.

Very expensive, sometimes has excess flare/reflections that make the display hard to read

I bought mine used about 20 years ago but it was mint. It works just about perfectly and there aren't really a lot of good alternatives if you need to determine contrast ranges/Zone system. And, unlike a lot of other meters, it uses a commonly-available silver oxide battery instead of a mercury cell (banned for absolutely no good reason - mercury is so bad someone ought to ban CFL lamps first).

The only issue I have ever had is that sometimes there is a lot of flare on the display that makes it hard to read, particularly in bright light.

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Minolta spotmeter

Simple, compact reliable, accurate

Has gotten very pricey to replace and doesn't have Zone scale. This was made under the old Asahi/Pentax name and Pentax will not service too much longer because of the Asahi name.

Simple to use, compact, reliable and extremely accurate. Have been using this same meter since I purchased it in NYC about 22 years ago and it has never failed me for Zone and color photography whether shooting 4x5 large format or medium format.

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Gossen Luna-Pro S Gossen Luna-Pro (25 yrs old- backup meter) Sekonic L418 (backup meter)

very accurate, build quality very high

price

If you want a very good product and can afford it, go for it.

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None

Build quality, accuracy. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

None

If you use the zone system, this is the meter for you. If you believe in visualization, this is definitely the meter for you. Try and find one second-hand (like I did, hence the price), you'll never let it go.

Customer Service

Never required

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None

Small (1 degree) metering field, Zone scale on meter, highly sensitive and precise.

High price. Difficult to use with Color print film

My meter was modified by Zone VI studios, so it cost me a little more than the standard meter. I wanted to pay the extra, because I do a great deal of Black and White work. I do occasional color work, but this meter is really not suited for that type of photography.

Customer Service

Not needed

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Sekonic L-408

The narrow angle allows scene brightness ratio to be determined accurately, and is absolutely necessary when applying the Zone technique for color.

None. My meter was modified by Zone IV to provide uniform reading for all colors. Not an absolute necessity, but i wanted everything working for me when applying the Zone technique.

I like the digital EV readings in third-stop increments. In manual, it has allowed me to get control of difficult lighting situations--no more muddy yellows and bluish snow.
Also, when using filters, I just reset the "calculator" dial to account for the filter factor, get my EV reading, and choose the shutter/aperture pair that suits the situation. I have had my meter for about eight years---never serviced. Recently I checked it against two other Pentax meters and they all agreed, right to the 1/3 stop.

Customer Service

None has been required.

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Only built-in (10-degree) spot and Ultra-Pro (not with spot adapter). The one-degree angle gives much more precise readi