Light meters
Sekonic Studio Deluxe L-28c2 User manual
User manual for Sekonic Studio Deluxe L-28c2. 26 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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- Brand
- Sekonic
- Model / document
- Sekonic Studio Deluxe L-28c2
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 26
- File size
- 3.8 MB
- Category
- Light meters
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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L-4. lntroducing the Accessories o'HlGH" S[[de
Used with Lumisphereor Lumidisk outdoorsor in bright
p l a c e sw h e n t h e i n d i c a t i n gn e e d l em o v e s ab o v e 1 M ( o r
1 6o n )t h e I n c i d e n tL i g h t S c al e . I n s e r t t h e H I G H S l i d ei n
the slot behind the Lumisphereor Lumidisk to convert
t h e S e k o n i cS t u d i oD e l u x et o h i g h i l l u m i n at i o nm e a s u r e -
nrent. The Slide settles in place with a click.
Lumisphere
Di*"ectReadfrngS[ldes u s e d o n l y t o d e t e r m i n e e x p o s u r e b y i n c i d e n t l i e h t ( i . e . ,
t h e l i g h t t h a t f a l l s o n a s u b j e c t ) . U:;edwhen it is more important to obtain one quick,
To insta ll : m atch the wh ite dots on the photosphere d i r e c t r e a d i n g r a t h e r t h a n a v a r i e t yo f l e ns o p e n i n ga n d
a nd socket, insert the Photosphere, a nd turn it clock- shutter speed combinations. Nine types are available
wise until it stops. Reverse procedure to remove. w i t h v a r i o u s A S A a n d D I N i n d e x e s . T o u se : ( 1 ) S e l e c t
the appropriate slide for the particular film you are
Lumidisk using; (2) Set your camera to the shutter speed indi-
U s e d t o o b t a i n b r i g h t n e s s i n f o o t - c a n d l e s ( o r i n , , l u x " cated on your slide; (3) Insertthe slide into your Sekonic
if so converted) a nd to measure a nd control contrast. Deluxe meter just as you would the H IGH Slide; (4)
I n s t a l l a s w i t h L u m i s p h e r e . Point the meter in the proper direction; (5) Read the
n u mber on the I ncidentLight Scale. Th is is your proper
Lu nnigrid f/stop reading; ( 6) Set your ca mera to the f/stop, a nd
Used to measure the ref lected light a nd relative bright- you're ready for a perfect picture.
ness of a subject. ca n a lso be used to determ ine ex- Note: Direct Reading Sfides are for use with the
p o s u r e w h e n a n i n c i d e n t l i g h t m e a s u r e m e n t c a n n o t b e Lumispherea nd Lumidisk. They can not be used with
t a k e n . I n s t a l l a s w i t h L u m i s p h e r e . the Lumigrid.
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2, Special Featuresof the Sekonic (2) The top numbers on the lncident Scale indicate foot
candles, (i.e., the intensity of light on a certain Studio Deluxe
spot.). For example; if the indicating needlepoints
2-1. Incident Light Measure Io 64, the light intensity or illumination on the spot
In the past, conventional exposure meters measured is 64 foot-candles. In oqder to convert foot candles
illumination by reflected light. The Sekonic Studio into Lux units of illumination,multiply the number
Deluxe, developedand perfected by the world's leading of foot candles by 10.76. For example, if the ln-
photographers, determines illumination by a more cident Scale reads 64 (which is 64 foot candles) the
accurate method :-incident light. correspondingLux measurement will be 688.64.
The difficulty with the reflected light method is the time 64x10.76:688.64
it takes a photographerto obtain a successfulexposure. When the HIGH Slide is used, the Incident LightEvery subject combines areas of high and low reflec- Scale number must be multiplied by 32 to obtain tion, and to obtain a proper exposureby reflectedlight, the Foot-CandleNumber. For example, if the Inci-one has to take many different readings and to average dent Scale reads 64, thenthem successfully.
This difficulty is overcome with the Sekonic Studio 64 x32:2,O48 (foot'ca ndles)
Deluxe. lt is designedto measure subjects by a stand- The Studio Deluxe ptays an important role when
ard reflectionof L8/' and to determine illumination by lighting in a studio must be recorded for future
incident light. This standard reflection assures perfect duplication and when contrast must be controlled.
tones in photography black and white and establishes 2-4. Direct.ReadingMethod a point of reference from which deviations can be made
for special effects. With the Direct-ReadingSlides there is no need to fuss
with the Mobil dial. The proper f/stop can be found2-2. Lumisphere directly from the indicating needle. This is a great
The Lumisphereof the SekonicStudio Deluxedetermines advantage when speed is more important than obtain.
exposurein a revolutionaryway. ing a complete selection of f/stop and shutter speed
Becausea suject is usually three-dimensional,it presents combinations.
a contrast of lights and shadows which traditional
meters are unable to measure without error or difficulty. 2,5. Intermediate Values
The Lumisphere,however,receivesall incident light just (1) The top numbers on the Indicating Scale are foot
as the subject receivesit. lt automatically assigns to candle numbers from 4 to 1 M (1000).
each light source its photographicvalue dependingon The red numbers directly beneath them are for
its strength and direction, and averages them into one f/stops. The values of the unnumbereddivisionson
correct camera setting. both scales are found in the diagram.
2-3. Measuringlltumination (2) The numbers on the Time Scale indicate shutter
(1) The Lumidisk is used to measure illumination. lt speeds. The numbers on the Aperture Scale indicate
can be pointed directly at a light sourceto measure f/stops.
its intensity. Notice the mark beneath each number on the Time
Scale and above each nuntber on the ApertureView original page 7Page 9 · Read text
Note 1: when you are taking pictures indoors
under artificial lighting, it is necessaryto place your
meter close to the subject, ?s indicated in 3-3-(1),
becausethe quantity of light at the subject and
ca mera will differ significanily.
Note 2 z Since the Lumisphere is a n extremery
sensitiveto light, you m ust be careful not to shade
it with your hand when measuring light. you
should hold the meter at arm's length, especialry
when wearing light or briglrtly colored clothing.
(2) ff the sa me light f alls on your camera as on the
subject, the Sekonic Studio Deluxe ca n be held at
the camera position,directed away from the subject.
(See figure below.)
Rememberthat when light on the camera position
differs from that on the subject, (e.g., the camera
or subject is shaded by trees or buildings) your
Studio Deluxe should be held only at the subject.
3-4" Reading the Meter
(1) while the Lumisphereis held facing the camera,
push the Needle Lock Button which is at the center
of the dial. The IndicatingNeedlewill swing and
rest at the certain point on the tncidentLight (Foot
Candle)Scale.
Remove your finger from the button to lock the
needle. Now you are free to read the foot candle
number whlch the needle has indicated.
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32 L 160 4. Correct Exposuresunder Special
64 r lL25 Gonditions L L28 l25O
M o s t p o p u l a r c i n e c a m e r a s u s e 1 6 f r a m e s ' p e r ' s e c o n d 4-1" Fortraits
with a shutter speed of 1130. To find the proper f/stop, Follow the instructionsgiven in section 3, with particular
r e a d t h e n u m b e r o n t h e A p e r t u r e S c a l e w h i c h c o r r e s ' attention to 3-3 (Note 1).
p o n d s t o 1 6 o n t h e r e d C i n e S c a l e . Because of its Lumisphere which uses an incident
(You ca n of course use other exposures for specia I ef ' light system, the sekonic studio Deluxe is ideal for
f ects. ) ta king portraits. Details a re a lways clear, even when
lights are behind the subject.Note 1 : Some movie ca mera s h ave shorter exposure
t i m e s .
F o r e x a m p l e a c a m e r a w i t h 1 6 f r a m e s - p e r ' s e c o n d m a y
have a shutter speed of Ll40-
In the instruction booklet or cata logue th at accom pa nies
y o u r c a m e r a i s a l i s t o f t h e c a m e r a ' s s h u t t e r s p e e d s
a nd corresponding f /stops. Study them caref ully.
W h e n y o u k n o w o n l y t h e a p e r t u r e a n g l e o f a c i n e
cam era, compute the shutter speed with the following
f o r m u l a :
When : Sh utter a Perture a ngle : Lq"
- N Fra mes-per'second
-T Shutter speed
T h e n : T' -- 1 \ . / a ' t N 3 6 0
For exa m ple :
W h e n t h e a p e r t u r e a n g l e i s L L Z B " a n d t h e r e a r e L 6
fra mes-per-second, then :
-r_ L \.,^ t28 - 1 ' - 1 6 3 6 0 4 s
Since your meter does not indicate a shutter speed of
L | 4 5 , y o u m u s t j u d g e t h e p o i n t w h i c h i s m i d w a y b e t w e e n
L l 3 O a n d L l 6 0 . D i r e c t l y b e n e a t h t h i s m i d p o i n t i s t h e
proper f/stop setting for your camera.
Note 2 z The sta nd a rd ca mera used by professiona ls
h a s a sh utter speed of 1/ 50 with 24 fra mes-per'second.
T h i s s e t t i n g i s i n d i c a t e d b y a r e d l i n e b e n e a t h t h e 2 4
o n t h e C i n e S c a l e .
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4-4, Snow Scenes Note 3 : When registering inci. dent light, the sensitive Lumis.
(1) Snow pictures taken according to reflected light p h e r e c a n n o t h e l p b u t p i c k u p
measurementoften f a il because the snow m agnifies some of the extra lieht reflected
and distorts the reading. This problem does not fromi s t h ether e f osurfacer e a d v i ofs a bthel e tsnow.o s h i e l ltd
arise, however,with Sekonic'sincidentlight meter. the Lumisphere f rom this ref lected
The reflection factor for fresh snow is 7O%. lt is lieht.
'city' 60% for or old snow. With your Sekonicyou
compensatefor this reflection mathematicallyand
thereby avoid mistakes. You find the shutter speed \ . R e f l e . r ' t e i Jl i i i i r t
by regularincidentlight measurementand increase S r t o w f a e e
it by I/ 4 2 or L/2. (2) When taking pictures under a clouded sky, snow
For example: reflected light measurement will give satisfactory
When the measured shutter speed is LlL25 at f 16, results.Place Lumigrid in the socket of the Sekonic
Then : Studio Deluxe a nd direct it slightly downward from
L lL zsxt l4 z : LlL77 (L|ZOO)or the ca mera positionto the subject. The H IGH Slide
l l L z s x L l 2 - t l 2 5 O cannot be used, but be sure to set the t'H" mafk
to the Dial Scale.
4 - 5 " S i d e a n d B a e k - l i g h t e d S e e n e s "ffi
Note 1: Over-exposed pictures lack c!arity. lt is therefore
a d v i s a b l e , w h e n a c h o i c e i s p o s s i b l e , t o u s e t h e f a s t e r s h u t t e r
s p e e d .
Note 2: The correction index of I/ '/Z-l/2 is based on a stand-
ard ref lection f actor f or snow. T he index will vary sliehtly
d e p e n d i n g o n t h e n a t u r e o f t h e s n o w ( c l e a n , d i r t y , e t c . ) , a n d
y o u s h o u l d c o n s i d e r s u c h v a r i a t i o n s w h e n d e t e r m i n i n g a c o r r e c t
sh utter speed.
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Although there are ten Direct ReadingSlides (including
the H IGH Slide), each may be used with different f ilm 5. Special Lighting Gonditions
indexes to obtain a variety of shutter speeds. For ex-
ample, film with ASA L00 use{ with HIGH Slide (ASA 5-1. Foreword
10) requires a shutter speed of L/500. For general photography,correct exposurereadingscanThe shutter speed-with which you must set your camera be obta ined by following the iristructions a nd exam plesfor direct readings-can be calculatedfrom the following in Sections3 a nd 4. The Sekonic Studio Deluxe, how'f o r m u l a : ever, is a precisioninstrument which can be used to When : obta in speciaI effects u nder controlled conditions. Sec- ASA index of a slide : A tion 5 should be studied carefully so th at your meter Shutter speed of same slide : T ca n be used to its f ull advantage. ASA index of film used : A '
Shutter speed of same film : T '
Then : (1) IncidentLight Measurement.
T' : A/A'x T Incident light measurement is the most accurate,
ln the example above, using ASA 1OOfilm with an ASA up-to-date method to determine exposure. The
10 HIGH Slide, you calculate: Sekonic Studio Deluxe, which h as adopted this
10/10oxLl5o-L/5oo method, is widely used by professionalphotogra-
Wh at now would be the sh utter speed for a f ilm with phers and motion picture specialists. Unlike re'
ASA 2OOwhen a slide of T Ll6O with ASA 50 is used. ftected meters, it is acclaimed by amateurs and
Answer : professionalsalike as the one meter giving correct
T ' _ 5 O l 2 O O x t l 6 O _ L l 2 4 O exposure readings for both black-and'whiteand
In other words, with an color photography. Flesh tones in portraits are
ASA 2OOfilm you may particularlynaturalwith the Sekonicmeter,because
set the sh utter speed it receivesa ll incident light just as the subject re'
to I l24O a nd use a ceives it, and averagesthe light into one correct
D irect Read ing Slide of exposure. This is a great advantage, ES f lesh
ASA 5O-1l60. tones in color photographyare the first which the
untrained eye readily recognizesas either good or
bad. Standard reflectionof L8% assures perfect
tones, a nd establishes a point of reference from
which deviationscan be made for specialeffects.
(2) The Lu m id isk
T h e L u m i d i s k i s i n d i s p e n s a b l e i n c l o s e ' u p s , t o
m e a s u r e t h e c o n t r a s t r a t i o b e t w e e n m a i n a n d f i l l -
i n l i g h t s . T h e L u m i d i s k a l s o m a k e s i t p o s s i b l e f o r
the photogra pher to record his lighting ratio a nd
d u p l i c a t e i t a t a n y f u t u r e t i m e .
26 27View original page 16Page 19 · Read text
ment is a method of determining exposure by b. To photographilluminatedsubjectssuch as neon
measuringincident light, assuming that ilre subject signs.
reffects 18% of its incident light. c. To photograph subjects when you are unable to
The effectivefoot-candlesmeasured by the Lumis- measure the incident light (Figuresin show win-
phere to determinethe correct exposure,deternrines dows, etc.).
the mid-pointof brightness. 4. To determine the brightnessrange, install the Lumi-
E x a mp le : A ssu me that by regular measuremen t grid and direct it about 6 inchesfrom various areas
with the Lumispherewithout the Slide, the needle of the subject. Be careful that neither you nor the
indicates 5OO foot-candles. With a f ilm index of meter cast a shadow on the area being read, (a 6"
ASA 10, the correct exposure is midway between diameter circle). Note the various indicationson
FlL and F16, with a shutter speed of one second. the foot-candle scale, which is a convenient scale
When the "L" m ark is set to 500, tlre " H " m ark for determin ing ra nge.
pointsto 16. This 16 Novr divide the highest foot candle reading by the
i s t h e mid 'p o in t o f lowest to obtain the brightness range of the subject.
brightness ra nge. For example if the brightest area reads 64, a nd the
T hi s m e an s t h a t if a lowest 4, then :
standard 18% re' R a n g e _ 6 4 . ? t o l
flector is measured 4 - r o
with the Lu m igrid
u n d e r t h e sa me co n -
ditions, the needle
will point to 16.
ln determining ex-
posure with tirc
Lu misp h e reo r L u mi- r ' H " g r i d , t h e m a r k
always indicatesthe centerof the brightnessra nge,
reg a rd le sso f wh e t h er the,'H', or ,.L,, mark was
used in determiningthe correct exposure.
f f t h e " H" ma rk is off scale when the ..L,, mark
is set to the needle,the light level is so low th at
no usa b lere a d in gca n be obtainedwith the Lumi-
grid. In other words, reflected light measurement 5. To determine the range limits for good color photo-
with the Lumigrid is possibleonly when the inten- graphs, follow these rules:
sity of incident light exceeds I25 foot-candles. (a) None of the objects in a scene should be more
3. There are three reasons for choosing the use of than four times brighter or four times darker
reflected light measurement: than the mid-point of the brightness range.
a, To determine the brightnessra nge of a su bject. ln other words the foot ca ndle ra nge should not
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exceedL6 to 1. lf, for example,the mid-pointis
16 and the lowest area reads 4, the highest
sl':ouldnot exceed 64. (4x 16:64)
(b) lf any area of the subject is too bright to fit
within this 16 to I range, its color will appear
washed-out. Therefore this area should be
shaCed to reduce the intensity of light upon it.
(c) lf any area of the subject is too dark to fit
within this ra nge,
more light must be
concentrated on it
to assure proper
coloring.
(d) On the Sekonic
Studio Deluxe two
f/ stops on either
side of the mid-point
limit the norma I
brightnessrange for
color.
M i d - p o i n to f
B r i g h t n e s sR a n g e
E x p o s u r e I n d i c a t i o n
w i t h L u m i s p h e r e
6. Special Uses for Lumigrid
When taking photographsof illuminatedsubjectsor
of subjectsfor which an incident light reading can-
not be made, the Lumigrid should be used in place
of the Lumisphere.(See 5-4-1 for general instruc-
tions, and study the pictures above.)
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5-5. Modern Lighting Control Step 3 " Adjusting lighting contrast
The Sekonic studio Detuxe a ilows f ull.lighting control (a) ReplaceLumispherewith Lumidisk.
and is therefore the most efficient and accurale meter (b) Measureintensityof key light. lt should measure
for indoor movies. Here 6re the steps recommendedto 5OO foot-candles.
arrange a studio for a motion picture scene. The sa me (c) Switch on fill-in lights.
general proceduremay be followedfor still photography. (d) Adjust the fill-in lights for proper lighting con-
Requiredlighting: trast as explainedin 5-2. Back lights will have
Film Index ASA 16 (DtN 13) a negligibleef fect on th is ratio.
Lens Diaphragm t12.8 Note: For a 2 to 1 ratio, f ill-in lights should registor
Shutter Speed LISO second an intensity of 250.
Fra mes Z$-per-second Step 4 - Adjusting brightnessrange
(a) ReplaceLumidisk with LumisphereStep 1- Findinggenerallight intensity (b) Take a foot-candlereading with the Lumisphere (a) Set Sekonic Studio Detuxe to ASA L6 at subject position pointed towards the cam era. (b) Bring the red 24 on meter's cine Scate in line The reading should be 650 now with all the with t 12.8 on the Aperture Scate lights on. lf not, vary the key light intensity (c) Locate the "L" m ark. The correspondingfoot- until it does. This should require a minimum ca ndle reading should be slighily over 5oo. of a djustment.
(650 foot-can dles a re req u ired for these spe- (c) Turn ttL" mark to 650 foot-candlesand read cified conditions). out the foot-candle number correspondingto
the "H" mark. (See 5-4-2 for explanation). lt
will read 20, which is the mid-pointbrightness
of the subject. Since a brightness range of L6
to L gives the best results, no object should be
brighter than 80 foot-candles(4x the mid-point
20) or darker than 5 (Il4 of 2O).
(d) Replace Lumispherewith Lumigrid. Measure
light and dark areas of the subject to be sureStep 2-Setting the key (or main) light none of them is brighter th a n 80 or darker
(a) Switch on main light and direct it as desired t h a n 5 . towards the subject.
(b) Hold the meter at the subject position and point Step 5 - Finding correct exposure
the Lu m ishere at the lens of the ca mera. Do (a) The reading obta,ined with the Lumispherein
not use a slide. press the needre lock button Step 4 (b)'should now be completely accurate.
until Step 3. It should tell you to set your ca mera at t 12.8
(c) Increaseor decreasethe intensity of the main at Il50 second.
light until the indicating needle points to 5oo.
(The fill-in lights,when added,wilr increasethe
foot-candlenumber to the required 650.)
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5-6. Close-ups (b) lf the main or fill-in lights are very near the
(1) Wheneverthe subject is closer to the camera than subject, the subject should be removed and
ten times the focal length of the camera lens, the the Lumisphere held in the exact spot the
exposure indicated on the Sekonic Studio Deluxe subject will occupy. The light striking the
must be increased. For example, a camera using subject will then be the same as that striking
a 50 mm lens must increase its exposure time for the Lumisphere.
any object closer than 50O mm. (3) Exposurecorrectionsfor close-ups
This is becausea subject is increasinglymagnified (a) First determineexposure',asexplainedin 5-6-2.
as it approachesthe lens of the camera. When (b) Measurethe size of the object, and of its image
light from the subject is focused into an image on in the lens.
the film through the lens, the following retation (c) Dividethe larger dimensioninto the smaller.
exists between illumination on the f ilm's face, You will thus obtain the magnification (if the
' brightnessof the subject, and magnificationof the image is larger than the subject)or reduction
subject. (if image is smaller than the subject).
W h e r e : (d) Find the proper correction factor from the chart
E : i l l u m i n a t i o no f f i l m f a c e on the following page.
L : brightnessof subject (e) Multiply this correction factor by the exposure
M: fn?gnificationof subject time indicated on Your meter.
F : F n u m b e r
r : circular constant
a : COnStant
- a . r L 1
4'F2 (M + 1)3
From this formula it will be seen that when there
is a change in magnification,the brightness(il-
lumination) of the film face changes in inverse
proportion to (M * t;2.
In otherwords,when M is small,or when the distance
from the camera to subject is great, the effect on
the exposureis minimal.
However, as the distance from subject to object
decreases,M increases. (M+1), is called the cor-
rection index for close-ups. See (3) for determining
the value of M.
(2) Measuring the Incident Light
(a) Hold the Sekonic meter as close to the subject
as possible and point the Lumispheretowards
the camera lens.
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rnay sliehtly reduce light tra nsmission a nd effect the6. Taking Care of Your $ekonic
Studio Detuxe lvithmeter'ssoapaccuracy.and lukewarnrThe Lumispherewater. lt mayshouldyellowbe washedslightly
6-1 Tero Setting with ?g€, but this h as no ef fect on the meter's exposure
reading. The H IGH Slide may be bent convexlyso that
Holdthe meter uprighta nd coverthe Lumispherewith it will fit the meter tightly. Protectyour SekonicStudio
t h e p a l m o f y o u r h a n d s o a s t o s h u t o u t a l l t h e l i g h t . Deluxefrom extreme heat or humidity. Avoid keeping
T h e i n d i c a t i n g n e e d l e s h o u l d p o i n t t o z e r o . l f t h e n e - it in yoLrrcar's glove compartment when the weather
edle is slightly off, reset the needle to zero by slowly is hot.
turning with a coin or perforated slide the screw on
t h e m e t e r ' s n a m e p l a t e , o n t h e b a c k o f t h e m e t e r . 6-4" Servlce
Should your Sekonic meter require repair, return it to
one of the official SekonicServiceStations. For ship-
ping, it should be packed in a corrugatedbox with its
own ca se a nd with excelsior.
6-2. Siide SIot
U n d e r v e r y b r i g h t l i g h t i n g c o n d i t i o n s w h e n t h e s e k o n i c
m e t e r i s u s e d w i t h o u t a s l i d e , a l i t t t e l i g h t m a y e n t e r
through tlre slide slot. This seldom effects exposure,
but for the sake of higher fidelity it is best to shade
t h i s s l o t w i t h y o u r h a n d .
6 - 3 . O t h e r P r e c a u t i o n s
Your Sekonic studio Deluxe is a highly accurate a nd
deficate electricalinstrument. With ordinary care and
handling, horr.rever,it will give long reliabte service.
Naturally,it shouldn't be opened or taken apart, and
since it isn't shockproof,the meter shouldn't be dropped
or roughly handled. lt is important to keep the Lumi-
sphere clean. Slight scratcheson the Lumisphereare
not harmful except that they collect dirt and therefore
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