SEKONIC L-208 Light Meter Instruction Manual
- October 30, 2023
- SEKONIC
Table of Contents
L-208 Light Meter
SEKONIC Light Meter
Operating Instructions TWINMATE L-208
Parts
- Guide needle
- Aperture scale
- ISO switchover knob
- ISO indicator
- ISO scale
- Shoe mounting plate
- Battery cover
Product Information
The SEKONIC Light Meter is an ambient light type analog exposure meter that can measure both incident and reflected light. It has a measurement range of EV3-17 (F2.0 1/2-F22 1/250) for both incident and reflected light, with a film speed range of 12 – 12500 (1/2 step). The light-receiving element is a silicon photo diode and the lumisphere is of flat plate type.
Usage Instructions
Attaching the Strap
- Pass the end of the strap through the strap clip and connect it to the ring at the opposite end of the strap.
Inserting the Battery
- Use one 3V coin-type lithium battery, model CR2032.
- Rotate the battery cover to the left with a coin or other tool and remove the battery cover.
- Position the battery with the + side facing up and insert it so that it slides under the tooth.
- Align the battery cover with the T mark on the body of the unit and rotate it to the right until a secure click is heard.
Confirming Battery Strength
- If the battery strength drops below the rated voltage, guide needle on the exposure meter will not display values correctly; therefore, confirm the voltage prior to use by pressing the battery capacity checker button on the back of the unit.
- It is possible to continue using the battery as long as the guide needle is within battery capacity range.
- Replace the battery if it is not within the battery capacity range.
Setting the ISO Film Sensitivity
- Rotate ISO switchover knob and set film speed being used in ISO indicator.
Switching between Incident Light and Reflected Light
Slide the lumisphere into the proper position for the type of light being
measured. Fig. 3 shows the condition for incident light and Fig. 4 shows that
for reflected light.
Light Receiving Angle (for Reflected Light)
The angle of coverage is 33° (approx. 73 mm) corresponds to approx. 70% of
angle for 50 mm standard lens of 35 mm SLR camera (approx. 46°). Make
measurements using the guideline displayed in scale plate.
Measurement
- Set the desired aperture value on the aperture scale.
- Read the combination when the shutter speed scale coincides with the aperture scale, select a combination that is most suitable for the subject and set the camera accordingly.
- The numbers on the scales mean 1/8000, 1/4000, 1/2000…1/2 seconds second units.
Incident Light Measurements
For incident light measurements, measure the light falling on the subject.
This method is suitable for measuring the light on flat and similar objects.
Refer to Fig. 6 for more details.
Specifications
- Model: Ambient light type analog exposure meter
- Light-receiving method: Incident light and reflected light
- Light-receiving: Incident light: lumisphere (flat plate type)
- Light receiving element: Silicon photo diode
- Measurement range: Incident light: EV3-17 (F2.0 1/2-F22 1/250) (ISO100) Reflected light: EV3-17 (F2.0 1/2-F22 1/250)
- Display: Film speed: 12 – 12500 (1/2 step)
Please note the following to assure safe use of the product:
- Warning: This is a warning mark indicating that death or serious injury of the user could potentially result if it becomes impossible to use this product properly.
- Warning: Do not look directly into the sun or other bright light sources through the meter. Doing so may result in eye damage.
Contact us at 1.888.610.7664 or sales@calcert.com for any queries or support.
Parts
Shoe mounting screw hole Strap clip
-
Attaching the strap
Pass the end of the strap (through the strap clip and connect it to the ring at the opposite end of the strap. -
Inserting the battery
-
Use one 3V coin-type lithium battery, model CR2032.
-
Rotate the battery cover to the left with a coin or other tool and remove battery cover .
-
Position the battery with the”+” side facing up and insert it so that it slides under the tooth.
-
Align the battery cover with the “T” mark on the body of the unit and rotate it to the right until a secure click is heard.
* Be sure to remove the battery if it is not used for an extended period of time. Remember to take a spare battery with you on long trips and similar occasions..
-
Confirming battery strength
-
If the battery strength drops below the rated voltage, guide needle on the exposure meter will not display values correctly; therefore, confirm the voltage prior to use by pressing the battery capacity checker button 15 on the back of the unit.
-
It is possible to continue using the battery as long as the guide needle is within battery capacity range 3.
-
Replace the battery if it is not within the battery capacity range.
-
Setting the ISO film sensitivity
Rotate ISO switchover knob 6 and set film speed being used in ISO indicator (7) -
Switching between incident light and reflected light
Slide the lumisphere CD into the proper position for the type of light being measured.
Fig. 3 shows the condition for incident light and Fig. 4 shows that for reflected light.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Please note the following to assure safe use of the product.
Warning: This is a warning mark indicating that death or serious injury
of the user could potentially result if it becomes impossible to use this
product properly.
Warning:
- Be sure to store the unit in a safe place out of reach of infants and children in order to avoid asphyxiation caused by the strap wrapping around the neck.
- Be sure to store the unit and batteries in a safe place out of reach of infants and children to avoid the danger of having them swallow the battery. Immediately contact a physician if the battery is swallowed.
- The rupturing of the battery could be the cause of fire, injury or contamination of the surroundings; do not by any means dispose of the battery in fire, short or dismantle it or subject it to heat.
Light receiving angle {for reflected light)
The angle of coverage is 33. (approx 73 mm) corresponds to approx 70% of angle
for 50 mm standard lens of 35 mm SLR camera (approx 46. ). Make measurements
using the guideline displayed in scale plate 12 as a guide.
- Measurement values will be different if you measure a subject that is not uniform with a meter having a different angle of coverage.
Measurement
- In either the incident light or reflected light, when measurement button 4 is pressed, the guide needle will oscillate and, when the button is released, it will retain its position for about 15 seconds; rotate dial ring 9 during that time and align match needle 2 with the guide needle.
- Please press and hold the measurement button for over one second due to the feature of guide needle retaining.
- If you press the measurement button while the guide needle is on hold, a new measurement value will be displayed.
- Read the combination when the shutter speed scale@ coincides with the aperture scale@, select a combination that is the most suitable for the subject and set the camera accordingly.
- Reading the scales
The numbers mean 1/8000, 1/4000, 1/2000 … 1/2 seconds second units
Incident light measurements
In this mode, measurements are taken by directing the lumisphere CD (light
sensor) directly at the camera’s lens from the subject’s position.(Fig. 6)
Since only the light (illumination) striking the subject is measured, the
reflection factor of the subject is not effected and the value displayed on
the exposure meter is the stan- dard exposure value.
- This is best for photographing people, flowers and similar objects.
Specifications
-
Model: Ambient light type analog exposure meter
-
Light-receiving method: Incident light and reflected light
-
Light-receiving: Incident light: lumisphere (flat plate type)
-
Reflected light: lens (light receiving angle of 33°)
-
Light receiving element: Silicon photo diode
-
Measurement range : Incident light: EV3-17 (F2.0 1/2-F22 1/250) (ISO100) Reflected light: EV3-17 (F2.0 1/2-F22 1/250)
-
Display: Film speed: 12 – 12500 (1/2 step)
Aperture: F1 .4 – 32 (1/2 step)
Shutter speed: 30 sec – 1/8000 sec. (1 step) Including 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/100, 1/200, 1/400, 1/800 EV value: 3 – 17 (1/2 step) -
Calibration constants: Incident light: C = 340
-
Reflected light: K = 12.5
-
Battery: one 3V coin-type lithium battery, model CR2032
-
Operating temperature range: 0 °C – 40 °C
-
Storage temperature range: -20 “C – 60 °C
-
Dimensions: 45 W X 65 H X 24 D mm
-
Weight: 40g
-
Standard accessories: strap, carrying case, shoe mounting plate (w/screw, O-ring
The specifications described in this instruction manual and the external appearance may be modified for improvement without prior notice.
Reflected light measurements
In this mode, measurements are taken by directing the light receiving element
(uncovered) at the subject from the position of the camera; the proper value
is determined by measuring the light reflected (brightness) from the
subject.(Fig. 7)
Since the measurement is effected by both the incident light and the
reflection factor of the subject, compensation of exposure is necessary if the
reflection factor of the subject is extremely high or low.
- This is best for photographing scenery, and other light emitting objects.
Shoe mounting
The accessory shoe is mounted using shoe mounting plate 19) . The mounting
location of the shoe mounting plate is variable and therefore mount it
correctly for the camera that you are using. 
In case a shoe mounting plate is not fixed to your camera, please put an
0-ring ® in the groove of shoe mounting plate. 
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>