Light meters
Gossen Starlite 2 User manual
User manual for Gossen Starlite 2. 41 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Gossen
- Model / document
- Gossen Starlite 2
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 41
- File size
- 2.6 MB
- Category
- Light meters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 3 · Read text
1 Preparation. 6 Measuring functions- Flash light
1.1 Battery. 7 6.1 Flash light measuring. 23
1.2 Self-test. 7 6.2 Flash calculation for changed meas. times....... 24
1.3 Selecting the function groups: 6.3 Multiple flash calculation..... 24
DIP switches in the battery compartment. 6.4 Average value. 25
2 Display panel 7 Taking a measuring outside the
2.1 The display panel and its elements....... I measuring range - display range
2.2 Display duration. 10 7.1 Taking a measurem. outside the meas. range... 26
2.3 Key Lock 10 7.2 Taking a measurement outside the display
3 Operating elements range. 26
3.1 lSOl - lS02; selecting the film speed. 11 8 Setting and measuring correction values
3.2 Menu. 12 and extension factors
3.3 Setting wheel. 12 8.1 Setting correction values. 27
3.4 Measuring buttons M and AVR 12 I CINE meter for cinematographers - o3.5 Measuring head with optical viewfinder 1 or 5o PHOTOMETRY
Flat dome- spherical dome. 13 9.1 Preselecting the Cine speeds. 294 This is how the Starlite 2 works 9.2 Taking measurements in the CINE function...... 29
4.1 Incident and reflected light measuring..... 14 9.3 Setting the shutter angle. 30
5 Meas. functions - Ambient light 10 Photometry
5.1 Aperture priority. 16 10.1 Selecting the Photometry display unit.. 31
5.2 Exposure time priority.... 17 10.2 Meas. the lllumination Lux (lx) or footcandle (fc) 31
5.3 Exposure value EV... 17 10.3 Measuring the luminance candelalmz (cdlm2)
5.4 Contrast measuring in the t and EV functions..... 18 or footlambert (fL).. 32
5.5 Averaging value AVR in the t and EV functions.. 19 10.4 Measuring time^-integral values
t.6 Selecting the exposure time values. 20 (lxs, fcs, cds/m', fls).. 33
i.7 Taking measurements in the zone system. 21 11 Practical tips. 34
12 Technical data. 37
13 Service Interface 39
14 Service. 39 www.butkus.us
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 3Page 5 · Read text
Optical viewfinder
Measuring button ffi
Setting wheel
Measuring button [!f,!
Eyelet
for connection cord
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Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 5Page 6 · Read text
Serial number
DIP Switches
Battery
compartment cover
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 6Page 7 · Read text
Your STARLITE 2 is the top device in the GOSSEN Characterising of the STARLITE 2:
product range and represents a real all-in-one light
meter. lt combines a light meter for ambient and flash - Splashwaterproof housing
light, a CINE meter for cinematographers as well as a - Digital stop display in 1/10 stop increments
measuring Instrument for lighting technology and - Automatic display lllumination
photometry. And the clarity of the operating control - Shutter Speeds in full or 112 time values
elements and the digital display is still preserved. - Second ISO value
Functions used over and above the normal metering - Incident light measuring with spherical/flat dome
can be individually integrated by the user. - Reflected light measuring, option of 1' or 5o
- Flash measuring (cord/cordless)
The STARLITE 2 can be easily converted into a - Display of the ambient light portion
complete CINE meter for the cinematographer and - Flash calculation with different measuring times
their needs. - Flash calculation for multiple flashes
Due to the microprocessor technology, the user - Analogue contrast display
benefits from our knowledge on lighting technology with f/stops in 112 stop increments
which we have gained over decades of experience in - Averaging of up to 9 measuring values
the construction of light meters. - Storage of settings and measuring values
- Configurable EV correction
As a result of its precise calibration, the STARLITE 2 - Measuring in accordance with the zone system
provides very accurate measuring results and is easy - Direct display of the measuring values on the
to operate. zone scale
- Special CINE meter, settable for shutter angles
other than 180 degrees, conversion with
formulas is not necessary
- Functional range of photometry
Measuring of illuminance
and luminance with ambient and flash
- Key lock
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Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
preset1 Preparation As soon as the self-test is complete, the factory
standard settings are activated.
1.1 BatteryThe STARLITE 2 works with a 1.5 V AA battery tsol 100121' EE ol1,o
(Alkaline-manganese. rs02 50/18'
display f 5,6 t 11125When the battery is running low, the ffiappears in addition to the measured values as a EV 12 Blitz f 1/60
warning to the user. f/s 24
At this stage, it is advisable to replace the battery as
soon as possible.
When appears on the display alone, ffi
measurements can no longer be taken. rxilzrtr_^[?l,_ElglFHFII
Replace the battery immediately.
To replace the battery, open the battery compartment
of the STARLITE 2, remove the old battery and insert '+:'.J,,.t.;i#ffrifi1fr'^the new one. Observe the "+" and "-" polarity! Pleaseclose the cover of the battery compartment. IH,H.FTIH'F.HF[ 114 2 2.8 4 5.6 I 11 16 223245 6490128 {lrlrlrlrlrlrlrlrlllrlrlrlllll)1.2 Self-test 0 | il ilt lv v vl vll vlll lx x
After the new battery has been inserted, the micro-
computer will carry out a self-test. Here, every display
segment of the display panel appears. The self-test Warning!
takes about 10 s. lt can, however, be interrupted Do not view and do not aim the meter directly
before by pressing any button. at the sun.
You may not only damage your eye, but also ruin the
light-sensitive cell.
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 8Page 9 · Read text
1.3 Selectihg the function groups:
DIP switches in the battery compartment
In addition to the standard functions, your STARLITE 2
features a range of additional characteristics and
functions which can be selected using the
"DlP switches" in the battery compartment. DIP 4
DIP 3
DIP 2
1- DIP 1 Selection STILL @ - Photography DIP
CINE und PHOTOMETRY 4?
- DIP 2 Selection SHUTTER SPEEDS (1 l1 or 112)
- DIP 3 Selection DISPLAY UNIT photometry
- DIP 4 Selection Measuring function - ZONES
Zone System 3l fc fl I.l lx cd/m2
1ll t-Steps 1/2 t-Steps Z CINE EI STILL
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Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 9Page 11 · Read text
2.1.1 Automatic display illumination 2.3. Key Lock
When the lighting conditions are poor (about EV 4 or It makes sense to activate the key lock to avoid
less), the background lighting of the display is switched switching on the STARLITE 2 by accident.
on automatically for 10 seconds. - Activatinq the kev lock: press
iEWl ano S@ srmultaneousry.
2.2 Display duration OFF, ISO and lS02 appear for 3 seconds on the
display. Then the instrument switches off
automatically.lf the STARLITE 2 display panel is idle for about
2 minutes, it is switched off automatically. The
measuring values and the preset values remain tlE6"r
stored in memory. ttso-,'tt
- By pressing anyone of the buttons, you can recall
the measuring value from the memory.-a
- By pressing the measuring button ffi, new
measurement is taken.
The measuring values of the last measurement remain IIFrstored in the memory until a new measurement is
taken.
The STARLITE 2 has separate memories for ambient
and flash light measuring.
lf you press any button, OFF, ISO and lS02 are
displayed again for 3 seconds.
- Deactivating the key lock:
press @-anO s@ simultaneously.
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10 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
3 Operating elements
rSO - rS02 3.1 ,r-lYa lXl ' 't tr '' ' the film speed Selecting fLfLf
You can select two different film speeds with the EII'F]lii?l and buttons. @
- Select the film speed by pressing and holding
'lSO1" or "1502". ISO or lS02 will flash on the 45 64 90128 1 1.4iF,{2 2.8 4 5.6 I 11 16 22 32ttfidisplay panel. I
- Set the desired ISO value using the setting wheel.
When another operating function is selected,
the preset film speed is retained in the STARLITE 2
memory.
The film speed you have selected, either ISOI or 1S02,
appears in the tgplght corner of the display panel (1S02as long as the button is pressed). tx 1tr @ -l*,i[[Whenihe E[Eh,rtt-on is pressed, the convertedshutter speed/f-stop values are displayed on the basis E
of the last measuring. Therefore, you no longer have to
carry out time consuming calculations when working
with 2 films of different speeds. 11.4lFq2 2.8 4 5.6 I 11 16 22tr5[32 45 64 90 128
I
lf the film speed is changed, the last measuring value
is converted to the new ISO settings. The selected film
speed is memorized until it is changed in accordance
with the above mentioned procedure.
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH 11View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
3.2 Menu (D
With the function buttons you can select the measuring
modes ambient light ffi or flash light 0 an.
Keep the menu button pressed and select the sub-
functions time preselection t, f-number preselection f
or exposure value EV using the setting wheel
3.3 Setting wheel Menu-
The setting wheel allows you to change values and Buttons
functions.
- Presetting for ambient, flash and ISO
- Calling up shutter speed/f-stop combinations after
measuring. Multiple flash calculation
- Allocation of zones
- Selection of shutter angles in the CINE function
3.4 Measuring buttons -_p and ffi Setting wheel
With the measuring button M you can trigger off a new
measurement and delete all previous measuring Button [fif,
values.
The measuring button Em is used for calculation
average values.
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12 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 13Page 15 · Read text
4. Incident and reflected light measuring Even under very difficult photographing conditions, as
for example with subjects which have a lot of contrast,
Your STARLITE 2 is designed for the enthusiastic the incident light measuring method is a much moreamateur as well as for professional use. reliable way of producing well-exposed and
Its rotating measuring head is the optical "control center", professional pictu res.
and the following measuring functions can be set:
- Incident light measuring, dome raised:
spherical measu ring characteristics 4.1.2 Incident light - Flat dome G- Incident light measuring, dome lowered:
flat measuring characteristics The lowered/retracted dome having a flat- Reflected light measuring with 5' measuring angle characteristic is suitable for reproductions and
through the viewfinder for taking measurements for special lighting technology- Reflected light measuring with 1 ' measuring angle and photometry.
through the viewfinder For this function, the "dome lowered" ED with the
Thus, the meter can be conveniently used for all dome ring at the measuring head must be set.
measuring methods including the zone system.
4.1.1 lncident light - Spherical dome e
Set "dome raised" with the dome ring at the measuring
head. The symbol Et appears on the display.
Taking measurements using the incident light method
in particular can produces perfectly exposed shots.
With the incident light mode, the STARLITE 2
measures with its dome the incident light from the
subject towards the camera.
This guarantees that the tone quality of the picture is
equivalent to that of the subject. This is especially
important for very bright or dark subjects.
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14 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 15Page 16 · Read text
5" O Selective measurement If Spot measuring 4.1.4 Reftected light -4.'l.g Reflected light -E
For this function, the setting ring at the base of the dome For this function, the "Reflected light measurement 5o"
must be set to the "Reflected light - 1' Symbol. The must be set with the dome ring at the measuring head.
symbol O appears on the display. In the viewfinder, the The symbol Cl appears on the display.
measured area corresponds to the inner, smaller In the viewfinder, the measuring area corresponds to
circle. the outer, wider circle.
Your STARLITE 2 offers reflected light measuring with The functions and notes of chapter 4.1.3, page 15 also
1'(spot measuring) via the vieMinder in the measuring apply here.
head. When you look through the viewfinder, you can
frommeasure using the measuring buttons ffi and fufl
the camera towards the object. This way, even the
details of a subject can be accurately measured and
analysed through the viewfinder. Now, only the light
reflected from the subject is detected.
When using the reflected light mode, the measuring
values always depend on the reflection of the subject!
As a result of this, bright subjects are reproduced darker
and are therefore not properly exposed.
lf the exposure measurement is carried out in
accordance with the reflected light measuring method,
it is advantageous to use a grey chart (18% diffuse
reflection). Furthermore, you can also be given the
average values of up to 9 measuring values. The
different contrast measuring values are displayed on
the analogue aperture scale. Subject contrast is
measured with the reflected light measuring method
and displayed by the STARLITE 2 on the analogue
scale.
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH 15View original page 16Page 17 · Read text
Ambient light t5 Measuring functions -
- Select with the left menu button { ambient Note:
light * (the last stored measuring value When preselecting f-stop, the stored values
appears in the display). of the last measurement are displayed in 1/10 stop
- Keep the function button pressed down and increments. These are, however, irrelevant, since a
select the corresponding sub-function using the new reading has to be taken.
setting wheel. This function is displayed in a
frame I-1.
- Set the desired value using the setting wheel
alone.
5.1 Aperture priority lTl
a- Press the measuring button [lto take tls-r aY0-1 measurement. E l*l +tr ILTLI- The measured exposure time t appears on the right
digital display. The f-number is automatically adjusted E t to the time measured in 1110 stop increments.
Furthermore, the f-number, which is roundedto 112
stop increments, is displayed as a mark on the aI analogue scale. 11.422,845.6811iFr 22 32 45 64 90 fi- Other shutter speed/f-stop combinations can be
selected using the setting wheel.
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5.5 Averaging value AVR
in the t and EV functions
Reflected light measuring Incident light
through the viewfinder with flat or spherical dome
- The first measurement is to be taken with the Correspondingly, you can determine the average value
measuring button ffi. of the illumination of the various lights with the above
- With the-average measuring button ESE you can mentioned procedure. To do this, you can measure for
measure up to 8 further contrast spots. example your main, fill-in and background light
The single measuring values are displayed on the individually in the Studio.
analogue scale (identical measuring values are only
displayed once, but are taken into consideration when
the averaqe is calculated). After each measurement
with E$8, the average of all previous measuring 0Y)-t values is displayed. The average AVR appears on lx 1tr El t ILILI the left digital display: f or EV with f-numbers in '1l10
increments and flashing on the analogue scale, f rounded to 112 stop increments. In the middle of the rtr AVR E ^ar
display, the number of measurements M is displayed
(4 measurements in the example). h.h 1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5.6 I {'11 16 22 32ll545 64 90128 i
gErrsr l;iir I lx 't lllll r
AVR E ^12
5. 1 1.4 a hl '{'ffi I $2232456490128r 22.84l;iir5,68
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After each measurement using the measuring button ff, by mistake, you take a zone measurement in the
Em the following data are stored and disptiyed: incident light mode (flat or spherical diffuser), you are
- the symbol ZONE and the last measured value are reminded by the flashing diffusor symbol El
displayed on the left that you have to set the diffuser ring to 1 " spot
- the number of measurements made are displayed metering.
on the right (4 measurements in the example)
- on the zone scale the currently measured Black and white photography
values are indicated (identical values only Note down the subject contrast for the film
once) and the average of the brightest and development and adjust the development time in
the darkest spot as a flashing dot accordance with the contrast range.
When the measuring process is completed and you
then switch over to the "ambient light" * function and
the desired measuring function, the value measured It ,)-f)-fin the zone V is displayed as shutter speed/f-stop l*l ILILIcombination. Additionally, the flashing ZONE symbol is fdisplayed. tTl
Now, you can select further shutter speed/f-stop
combinations using the setting wheel. 5mi W \.t lll I ill l: I lllt I rl -0,,ttttltltlrl| il ilt tv v vt vilviltx x-
ff-ff-f lX I Itutrs't fLrLl zoNE
-l L! 5. ff
tt rli. I 0l il ilt tv v vt vlt viltx x
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6 Measuring functions- Flash light El
ln essence, flash measuring can be carried out - Trigger flash
in all diffuser settings (incident or reflected light When using a sync mrd, the flash is triggered and
measuring modes). Furthermore, flashes can be measured alutomatically when pressing MI measured with or without a sync cord (cord/noncord). lf - The measured f-number (sum of flash light and
a sync cord is used, the flash is automatically triggered ambient light) appears both in the left digital display
and measured with the measuring bufton (resolutioril/i o siops) and as a flashing indicator in fi.
the analogue scale rounded to the nearest
6.1 Flash light measuring 13 1/2 f-number.
- Selec{ the menu In using the right menu button D In addition to this, the f-stop for the share of the
(the last stored measuring value appears). ambient light is displayed on the analogue scale, not - The function is displayed with lil. flashinq.
- Set the desired measuring time (sync speed) using
the setting wheel. The measuring times range from
1 s to 1/1000 s. Press the measuring button M. fne -l lr-o-( STARLITE 2 is ready to measure for about 45 s (as XIZtr E lt long as F is displayed on the display panel). |,TX
f
Elr'so-"l ,f-f)-f Xlzltr ILILI 1 1.4 2 2,8 4 5,6 I 11 10 22"[r92 45 64 90128 tFfi I ;l:
trrrX F XLI 114 2 2,8 4 5,6 I 11 16 223245 6490128
l-
ffi
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH 23View original page 24Page 25 · Read text
6.2 Flash calculation 6.3 Multiple flash calculation
for changed measuring times Occasionally, the light output from a single flash rnay
lf the measurement shows that the ambient light part in not be sufficient to enable you to work at the aperture
relation to the flash light part does not correspond to desired. In that case, you can preselect the desired
your wishes in the overall lighting, the STARLITE 2 f-stop. Keep the right function button D depressed and
calculates on the basis of the measurement taken the select with the setting wheel the sub-function l-l-1.
influence of altered measuring times. Release the menu button and select the desired
Other measuring times can be set directly using the f-stop.
setting wheel without taking another measurement. The The STARLITE 2 calculates on the basis of the
calculation of the new result appears directly on the measurement already taken the number of flashes
display. required for the desired f-stop. The digital display of the
Note: time disappears and the number of flashes required is
In the event of altered measuring times, you must indicated, (e.9. F4 = 4 flashes) The STARLITE 2 will
ensure that the flash light duration is not longer calculate up to a max. of 9 flash sequences.
than the preselected measuring time. lf this is the
case, a new measurement must be taken.
-'t
aYaYa xtzttr Err ILILI
Eltso-"l ,)'f)-f XlZtr
ILILI F'{ EIIr
1 14 2 2.8 4 5,6 8 :tl. 16 22EIffi i[r | ,l: 32 45 64 90128
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24 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbHView original page 25Page 26 · Read text
6.4 Average value
- Take first measurement using measuring button ffi- Messure up to a further 8 flashes using the * n gEtrsr average value measuring button EIE lli[ The individual measurements are shown an the TI
analogue scale (identical values are only displayed
once. but are taken into account in the calculation of
the average value).
A After each measurement average 51 1.4 .FI2 2.8 with E$f, , the {'Ifi I '.t6r 22 32 45 &l 90 128 t;i:r4 5.6 8 is always previous measurements value of all
displayed. The average value AVR is shown in the
digital display:
at the left tll with fine adjustment in 1/10 stop
increments and shown as a flashing mark in the
analogue scale, rounded to the nearest 1/2 f-stop.
However, the ambient light portion is not indicated.
In the centre of the display, the number of
measurements M taken is indicated (in the example
4 measurements).
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH 25View original page 26Page 28 · Read text
8 Setting and measuring correction values
and
extension factors
8.1 Setting correction values Example:
-3.1 stops conespond to the extension factor 8.6.
- By simultaneously pressing both menu buttons For corrections which shorten the exposure, only the ( and D left display appears as EV difference in stop
pressing one ofthe menu buttons you reach the function EE - correction values. increments. By
is stored in the memory of- The last valid correction value appears in the (( or )) the correction value
EE appears in the display. the STARLITE 2. The symbol- The desired conection value can be entered or display.
altered using the setting wheel. The correction value is automatically taken into account
(except for the photometry).The extension factor is shown in the right digital display, in all measuring functions
and the correction value is indicated in stops. Input in
1/10 EV (small digits) in the range of t9.9 exposure value
stop increments.For correction values which extend the exposute ? " -" * 1tr ILILIappears in front of the number.
;FE.
'-L E lt "t //r-a)-a i H.F * 1tr ILILI
YlYl ;HE aYa
f.Lf X.Lt
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH 27View original page 28Page 29 · Read text
8.1.1 Measuring correction values EE 8.1.2 Deleting correction values
Correction values can also be measured directly. In the function EE - correction values (chapter 8.1,
An evenly illuminated surface and constant light level page 27) you have two possibilities of deleting pre-
are required. programmed correction values:
Use the STARLITE2 in the reflected light mode at - by manually resetting using the setting wheel to
1oor5o. EV 0 and extension factor 1.0 or
In the function EE, a reference measurement can be - by pressing the measuring button ffi
taken by pressing the measuring button ffi. (display rF - -)
Designation rF - - in the digital display. - quit the correction value function using the
Then, hold the filter in front of the viewfinder and press menu button (( or D )
the measuring button EW Correction value is deleted.
The light reducing effect will be indicated automatically in Symbol EE has disappeared from the display.
the display as EV stop and extension factor.
gutrsot *rl &I@trst l*l I |II'l lllti
trE trEITI
r- {D ftl.[r )'F 1 1.4 2 2.8 4 5,6 8 A $ 225iili32 45 64 90128
I
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9 CINE meter for cinematographers
- PHOTOMETRY
g'2 Taking measurements in the clNE funaion frBy actuating the Dtp 1 switch, the srARLlrE 2 can be
converted easily and quickly into a fullyJy,lctlolal. _ Take ajeasurement by pressing the measuringCINE meter. At the same time switch on the function Outton - Mphotometry' - The mdasured f-stop appears both in the left digital
c,NE metere ifii::tyff?lT:iliiln':i:l"J:I"*fJ,.ilff:0"l 4?- Select reflected light or incident light mode at the the nearest 1/2 f-stop.
measuring head.
- Using the left button, press menu { ambient light *.
9.1 Preselecting the Cine speeds [/tl l'is-r tf-!f'I- Press and hold the left menu button { and l*l Itr - fLfLf using the setting wheel set the speed "f/s". 4? f The function is shown in the display as ll,.l
- Set the desired CINE speed using the setting
wheel.
- Contrast (chapter 5.4, page 18) and average 1 1,4 2 2.8 4 5.6 I fl 16 22 32 45!-!64 90128 value measurements (chapter 5.5, page 19) I.FrI
can also be carried out. e
Using the switch DIP 2 additional CINE speeds
can be switched on.
Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH 29View original page 30Related documents and language editions
From the M. Butkus archive. Original publisher and archive notices are retained.
Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.