Light meters
Gossen Starlite User manual
User manual for Gossen Starlite. 38 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
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 38
- File size
- 2.0 MB
- Category
- Light meters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 4 · Read text
Reflectedlight measuring1"
Reflectedlight measuring5o
Retractablediffuser
Incidentlightmeasuring,
flat diffuser
Measuringhead Diffuserring
with opticalviewfinder for setting of
reflected/incidentlight measuring
Incidentlightmeasuring,
sphericaldiffuser
ISO button
ISO 2 button
Functionbuttons
Socket for
the flash sync cord
GOSSENFoto-und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 4Page 5 · Read text
Optical viewfinder
Lens cover
Measuringbutton
Settingwheel
Measuringbutton Serialintedace
Eyelet
for connectioncord
www.butkus.us GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 5Page 7 · Read text
YourStarlite is the top devicein the GOSSEN- Shutterspeedsin full or l12time values
productrangeand representsa real all-in-onelight Second ISO value
meter.lt combinesg light meterfor ambientand Incidentlightmeasuringflash light,a CINE meter for cinematographersas with spherical/flatdiffuserwell as a measuringinstrumentfor lightingtechnol-
ogy and photometry.And the clarityof the operat- Reflectedlightmeasuring,optionof 1oor 5o
ing controlelementsand the digitaldisplayis still Flash measuring(cord/cordless)
preserved.Functionsused over and above the Displayof the ambientlight portion
normalmeteringcan be individuallyintegratedby Flashcalculationwith difierentmeasuringtimes
the user. Flashcalculationfor multipleflashes
The Starlite can be easilyconvertedinto a com- Analoguecontrastdisplay
plete CINE meterfor the cinematographerand with f/stopsin 1/2 stop increments
theirneeds. Averagingof up to 9 measuringvalues
Due to the microprocessortechnology,the user Storageof settingsand measuringvaluesbenefitsfrom our knowledgeon lightingtechnology
whichwe have gainedover decadesof experience ConfigurableEV correction
in the constructionof light meters. Measuringin accordancewith the zone system.
As a resultof its precisecalibration,the Starlite Directdisplayof the measuringvalueson the
providesvery accuratemeasuringresultsand is zone scale
easy to operate. SpecialCINE meter,settablefor shutterangles
other thanl B0 degrees,conversion
Characterisingof the Starlite: with formulasis not necessary
Splashwaterproofhousing Funtionalrangeof photometry
Measuringof illuminance Digitalstop displayin 1/10 stop increments and luminancewith ambientand flash light
Automaticdisplayillumination Key lock
www.butkus.us GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 7Page 8 · Read text
Preparation 1.1 Battery The Starliteworkswith a 1.5 V AA battery As soon as the self-test is complete, the factory (Alkaline-manganeseor corresponding preset standard settings are activated. rechargeablebattery). When the is running low,the battery ffi display 0/1.0 rso 100121" EE in addition to the measured valuesappears as awarningto the user. rso2 50/18" At this stage,it is advisableto replacethe battery t 5.6 t 11125 as soon as possible. EV 1 2 Flash f 1i60 When ffi appearson the displayalone, f/s 24 measurementscan no longerbe taken. Replacethe batteryimmediately.To replacethe battery,open the batterycompart- rxilzrtr_s.El-!EFFX ment of the Starlite,removethe old batteryand trtril'1ii,i#;-rtr''trj';ffi,insertthe new one. Observethe "+" and "-" polarity!Pleaseclosethe cover of the batterycompartment. iH.H.F[X'X.HFX ,L'io,ii ,ii,i,i,i: ,T,T,'i" i i1.2 Self-test ","',',of Afterthe new batteryhas been inserted,the micro- Warning!computerwill carryout a self-test.Here,every Do not view and do not aim the meterdisplaysegmentof the displaypanelappears. directly at the sunThe self-testtakesabout 10 s. lt can, however, You may not only damageyour eye, but also ruinbe interruptedbeforeby pressingany button. the light-sensitivecell. GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 8
Page 9 · Read text
1.3 Selectingthe function groups:
DIP switches in the battery compartment
In additionto the standardfunctions,your Star!ite
featuresa rangeof additionalcharacteristicsand
functionswhichcan be selectedusingthe
"DlP switches"in the batterycompartment. D I P4
DIP 1 SelectionSTILL@ - Photography_ D I P3
CINEand PHOTOMETRY4? DIP 2
DIP 2 SelectionSHUTTERSPEEDS DIP 1
(111or 112)
DIP 3 SelectionDISPLAYUNIT photometry
DIP 4 SelectionMeasuringfunction- ZONES
ZoneE eSystemy J r E r r r || .4r I
f c f L l g l l x c d / m 2
1/2t-Steps l2l 1/1t-Steps
C I N E I 1 I S T I L L
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2 Display panel 14 Analoguescale
15 Leftdigitaldisplaysfor
2.1 The display panel and its elements f-stop (f)
1 Function Exposurevalue(EV)
Ambientliqht* Correctionvalues
Flashlightlf I Multipleflashcalculation
2 Measuringhead Average(f) - Numberof measurings
IncidentlightmeasuringEI Zone
Reflectedlightmeasuring[t Readyfor flash (F)
3 Meterfunctions Photometricmeasuringvalues
PhotographyE 6 ' l l 1T r T 7 2 1 3 3 8 4 9 5 1 0
CinelPtrotor" Vfr 4 FilmspeedISO - lSO2 rxilzrtr"PEiEiFFFl
5 Digitaldisplayof the film speed Itl ev ffiG;Cil"1'"^ffi''"AVRrh-2E ^-' 6 D i s p la ysig nf a-El V aY
7 DisplaysignalZone idH.FlH'EFEI
t l r l , I l t r l r l r l r l r l t l r l r t r l r l l l ) 8 Display- Functioncorrectionvalue EE
9 Displaysignalt-fls , i o L l r ! | r v v v rv rvr r rr xr x i - l
1 0 Batterycheckwarningsignal 1 4 1 2 1 5 1 2 1 6 1 71 8 1 1
1 1 Displaysignalseconds(s) - minutes(m) 1 6 Right digital display for
1 2 Displaysignalaverage Exposuretime (t)
AVR and M (memory) Extensionfactor- correctionvalue
1 3 Displaysignalphotometry Flashcalculation,numberof flashes
llluminance(lx - fc) Cine speeds(f/s)
Luminance(cd lm2- f L) 17 Zone scale
Time integralvalues 18 Aperturescale
(fx*s - fc*s - cdlmz *s - f L.s)
GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnir<View original page 10Page 11 · Read text
2.1.1Automatic display illumination 2.3 Key Lock
When the lightingconditionsare poor (aboutEV 4 It makes sense to activatethe key lock to avoid
or less),the backgroundlightingof the displayis switchingon the Starlite by accident.
switchedon automaticallyfor 10 seconds. Activatingthe key lock: press
ISO and lSO2 simultaneously.
2.2 Display duration OFF, ISO and lSO2 appearfor 3 secondson
lf the Starlite displaypanel is idle for about 2 the display.Then the instrumentswitchesoff
minutes,it is switchedoff automatically. automatically.
The measuringvalues and the presetvalues
remainstoredin memory. l'iso-'t
By pressinganyoneof the buttons,you can tiso-'tt
recallthe measuringvalue from the memory.
By pressingthe measuringbutton J\?l,a new
measurementis taken. frFrThe measuringvaluesof the last measurement
remainstoredin the memoryuntila new measure-
ment is taken. lf you press any button,OFF, ISO and lSO2 are
The Starlite has separatememoriesfor displayedagain for 3 seconds.
ambientand flashlightmeasuring. Deactivatingthe key lock:
pressISO and lSO2 simultaneously.
www.butkus.us GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 11Page 12 · Read text
3 Operating elements
3.1 tSO - rSO2 lf the film speed is changed,the last measuring
Selecting the film speed value is convertedto the new ISO settings.
You can selecttwo differentfilm speedswith the The selectedfilm speed is memorizeduntil it is
ISO and lSO2 buttons. changedin accordancewith the above mentioned
Selectthe film speed by pressingand holding procedure.
"lSO"or "lSO2".ISO or lSO2 willflashon the
displaypanel.
@jFl ar'lYl Set the desiredISO value usingthe setting tx 1A ILIX
wheel. EI t
When anotheroperatingfunctionis selected,
the presetfilm speed is retainedin the Starlite iFq4 2 2 . 8 4 1 6 8 n 8 1 2 2 i3 2r5memory. t
The film speedyou have selected,eitherISO or
lSO2,appearsin the top rightcornerof the display
panel (lSO2 as long as the lSO2 buttonis pres-
sed).
When the lSO2 buttonis pressed,the converted lto'l rxrtrshutter speed/f-stop values are displayed on
you the last measuring.basisof Therefore, no the tTl t
longerhave to carry out time consumingcalcula- :f Ef-, ,:tionswhen workingwith 2 films of differentspeeds. lF'lI 1 16122 32 15:f,.l64 80128
GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 12Page 13 · Read text
3.2 Function { }
With the functionbuttonsyou can selectthe meas-
uring modesambientlight * or ftash tightlZ .
Keep the functionbutton pressedand selectthe
sub-functionstime preselectiont, f-numberpre-
selectionf or exposurevalue EV using the setting z/t l-\\
wheel. Function ( < | l > )
\! v/
3.3 Setting wheel
The settingwheel allowsyou to changevalues
and functions.
Presettingfor ambient,flash and ISO
Callingup shutterspeed/f-stopcombinations
aftermeasuring.Multipleflashcalculation
Allocationof zones
Selectionof shutterangles in the CINE function Button[Vl
Settingwheel3.4 Measuring buttons lVland M
With the measuringbutton M you can triggeroff
a new measurementand deleteall previous ButtonM
measuringvalues.
The measuringbutton M is used for calculating
averagevalues.
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3.5 Measuring head with optical viewfinder
1oor 5o Reflectedlight measuring5" Flat diffuser- spherical diffuser
The measuringhead is the opticalcontrolcenterof Reflectedlightmeasuring1"
the Starfite.The 27O"rotatingmeasuringhead
providesthe basis for effectiveworking in practice.
Caution:
Never try to overwind the built-in lock by force.
Sooner or later this will cause the connection
between measuring head and basic meter to
break and will have to be repaired!
The followingmeasuringmodes can be selected
usingthe diffuserring at the measuringhead :
Reflectedlight measuring1o,spot measuring
- Reflectedlight measuring5.
Incidentlight measuring,flat diffuser
Incidentlight measuring,sphericaldiffuser
The opticalvieMinderwith measuringanglesof 1" lncidentlightmeasuring,
and 5" for reflectedlight measuringis also located flat diffuserin the measuringhead. Due to these measuring Ditfuserring
anglesit is possibleto preciselyfocus on even the
smallestspots in the subject. Incidentlight measuring,
The viewingfieldis about 12.. sphericaldiffuser
GOSSENFoto-und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 14Page 15 · Read text
This is how the Starlite works
4.1 Incident and reflected light measuring from the subjecttowardsthe camera.
Your Starlite is designedfor the enthusiastic This guaranteesthat the tone qualityof the picture
amateuras well as for professionaluse. is equivalentto that of the subject.
Its rotatingmeasuringhead is the optical"control This is especiallyimportantfor very brightor dark
center",and the followingmeasuringfunctionscan subjects.Even undervery ditficultphotographing
be set: conditions,as for examplewith subjectswhich
Incidentlight measuring,diffuserraised: have a lot of contrast,the incidentlight measuring
sphericalmeasuringcharacteristics methodis a much more reliableway of producing
well-exposedand professionalpictures. Incidentlight measuring,diffuserlowered:
flat measuring characteristics 4.1.2 Incident - Flat diffuser !
Reflectedlight measuringwith 5" measuring The lowered/retracteddiffuserhavinga flat
anglethroughthe viewfinder characteristicis suitablefor reproductionsand
Reflectedlightmeasuringwith 1' measuring for takingmeasurementsfor speciallightingtech-
anglethroughthe viewfinder nologyand photometry.
Thus,the meter can be convenientlyused for all For this function,the "diffuserlowered"with the
measuringmethodsincludingthe zone system. diffuserring at the measuringhead must be set.
The symbol El appearson the display.
4.1.1Incident light - SphericaldiffuserQt
Set "diffuserraised"with the diffuserrino at the Ig Note!
measuringhead.The symbot@ appeals on the When usingthe incidentlight mode with
display. the settingilat diffusor! it tne diffusorTakingmeasurementsusingthe incidentlight rinq,the displavneverthelesswill show the I
methodin particularcan producesperfectly syilootEl.'
exposedshots.With the incidentlight mode, the
Starlite measureswith its diffuserthe incidentlight
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- 4.1.3 Reflected tight - 1. Cql Spot measuring lf the exposuremeasurementis carriedout in For this function,the settingring at the base of the accordancewith the reflectedlight measuring diffusermust be set to the "Reflectedliqht- 1" method,it is advantageousto use a grey chirt symbol.The symbol $l appearson th6 disptay. (18% diffusereflection).Furthermore-,you can In the viewfinder,the measuredarea corresponds also be given the averagevaluesof up to 9 meas- to the inner,smallercircle. uringvalues.The differentcontrastmeasuring YourStarlite offersreflectedlight measuring valuesare displayedon the analogueaperture with 1" (spot measuring)via the viewfinderin the scale.Subjectcontrastis measuredwith the measuringhead.When you look throughthe reflecterctlight measuringmethodand displayed viewfinder,you qan measureusingthe measuring by the Starlite on the analoguescale. buttons M and M from the cameratowardsthe object.This way, even the detailsof a subjectcan 4.1.4 Reflected tight- S. tt be accuratelymeasuredand analysedthroughthe For this function,the "Reflectedlightmeasurement viewfinder.Now,only the light reflectedfrom the 5o" must be set with the diffuserring at the subjectis detected. measuringhead. When usingthe reflectedlight mode,the measur- The symbol Q appearson the display. ing valuesalwaysdependon the reflectionof the ln the viewfinder,the measuringarea corresponds subject! to the outer,wider circle. As a resultof this, brightsubjectsare reproduced The functionsand notes of chapter4.j .9, page 15 darkerand are thereforenot properlyexposed. also apply here. GOSSEN Foto- und LichtmeBtechnikView original page 16
Page 17 · Read text
5 Measuring functions - Ambient light *
Selectwith the left functionbutton { ambient Note:
light * (the last storedmeasuringvalue When preselectingf-stop,the storedvalues
appearsin the display). of the last measurementare displayedin 1/10stop
Keep the functionbuttonpresseddown and increments.These are, however,irrelevant,since
selectthe correspondingsub-functionusing a new readinghas to be taken.
the settingwheel.This functionis displayed
in a frame l_1.
Set the desired value usingthe settingwheel lEtug -'--' ,r^l[ alone. l l |
5.1 Aperture priority lI 1 1AfiFx2 2.8 4 56 8 A '|6 2232456490t28i,:l Press the measuringbutton [\7lto take a
measurement.
The measuredexposuretime appearson
the rightdigitaldisplay.The f-numberis auto-
maticallyadjustedto the time measuredin
1/10 stop increments.Furthermore,the
f-number,which is roundedto 1/2 stop
increments,is displayedas a mark on the
analoguescale.
Other shutterspeed/f-stopcombinations
can be selectedusingthe settingwheel.
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5.2 Exposure time priority El 5.3 Exposure value EV
Press the measuringbutton [\?lto take a Press the button JVIto measure.
measurement. The measuredexposurevalue EV
The measuredf/stopappearson the left digital appearson the left digitaldisplay
display(resolutionin 1/10stop increments)and (resolutionin 1/10 stop increments)and
is markedon the analoguescale, roundedto the f/stop is markedadditionallyon the
1/2 stop increments. analoguescale roundedlo 1/2 stops.
Selectotherpairedf/stop-exposuretime values Selectother pairedf/stop-exposuretime values
with the settingwheel. with the settingwheel.
Instead of the full exposure time values,
also 112time values can be set by activating
DIP switch 2. tX I tr rctrso-'t,J,[[
E V M
\n' txtt El ErEr ,-d lX[ 
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Check the model and edition against your equipment.
PDF verified 2026-10-10.