Equipped with a large and intuitive 2.7" color touchscreen LCD and now featuring built-in radio triggering for the 2.4 GHz Phottix Strato II wireless system, the LiteMaster Pro L-478DR-U-PX Series Light Meterfrom Sekonic will make incident metering for ambient and flash light super simple. The 4-channel system also has separate selection between 4 groups with measured values maintained for ratio determination.
Notable for the L-478 light meter series is the large color touchscreen, which allows for fast control over settings for both ambient and flash metering. The meter is quite capable as well, able to function within a range of -2 to 22.9 EV at ISO 100. And, for the current crop of hybrid shooters this model expands on its standard stills functions with two distinct video modes: Cine and HD Cine. These settings give access to frame rate selection from 1-1,000 fps as well as shutter angle settings from 1-358° as well as ISO 850 for Canon cinema cameras.
Guaranteeing the best possible performance is a suite of functions and features that will ensure users have the best tools available to them. Among these is a flash analyzing function that uses ambient and flash simultaneously to allow for shooters to dial in their preferred mix. Also, using the included Data Transfer Software users will be able to do Exposure Profiling for their camera by using the optional 5° viewfinder, showing dynamic range limits and knowing that you will have an accurate exposure. Alongside this is a Filtration Compensation Mode that allows for the meter to account for filter factor, which can now be done at up to 12 EV for landscape shooters using high-density ND filters. Other features include a contrast function for comparing brightness, a memory mode for 9 readings, and illuminance or luminance measurement.
Features
- Lumisphere receptor head rotates 90° right and 180° left and retracts for conversion to a flat diffuser
- Optional 5° viewfinder for spot metering
- Ambient light measuring modes include aperture priority, shutter speed priority, TF priority, CINE, HD Cine, illuminance, and luminance
- Flash can be measured with PC sync terminal connection, cordless, or radio triggering
- Measuring range at ISO 100 of -2 to 22.9 EV with incident light or 3 to 22.9 EV with reflected light
- ISO range of 3 to 409,600 in 1/3 steps, including 850 for Canon cinema cameras
- Other functions: exposure profile, mid-tone function, exposure compensation, filter compensation, multiple cumulative functions, memory/clear/recall function, average function, contrast function, auto power off, touch panel lock
- Runs on 2 AAA batteries
- Firmware upgradeable via mini-USB port
Colour Touch Screen Interface and Design
- The touch screen provides a more intuitive style of navigation and allows you to simply touch the settings you wish to adjust. Menu navigation is intuitive and the handling of various configurations becomes an expedited process.
- Simple visual layout provides a clear view of your exposure setting and permits customization in regard to the information you wish to be displayed (including a choice of analog exposure scales (EV or f/-stops); 1, 1/2, or 1/3 step increments; the inclusion of 1/10 stops; and the option to hide metering modes you do not use frequently).
- One physical menu button provides access to a more in-depth menu system that is then navigated through the touch screen. This menu allows for you to program exposure profiles and modify custom settings for your meter.
- Measure and memory buttons are located on the side of the device for recording and initiating exposure readings. A PC sync terminal is located on the bottom of the device for direct, corded flash metering. A USB terminal is located on the side and provides a connection point to your computer for firmware updates and for loading exposure profiles to your meter. The attached light receptor features a retractable Lumisphere that can be rotated 90° clockwise or 180° counter-clockwise. It is also removable in order to facilitate the use of optional attachments.
Wireless Flash Power Control
- Wirelessly control and modify the power output of Phottix mounted/enabled strobes or flashes directly from your meter.
- Three sliders allow you to dial up or dial down flash power from full to 1/64th power directly from the meter.
- Up to three zones can be managed; when working with more than one zone, determine each zone's values individually in order to establish desired lighting ratios, then an overall exposure sum will be determined.
Versatility Between Metering Methods
- Ability to measure incident or flash light and display exposure readings as f/-numbers, shutter speeds, or ISO settings for use with still imaging, HD video, and cine uses. Exposure constants also include frame rate and shutter angle for a variety of motion uses.
- Also capable of measuring illuminance as footcandles/lux or luminance as candela per square meter/foot-lamberts.
- Flash metering can display the percentage of flash-to-ambient light within the scene for precise lighting ratios.
- Comparative metering can be accomplished by using the AVE/EV function; allowing you to set a standard reading and have subsequent readings shown as the difference in exposure value.
- Cinematic modes offer creative options for setting frame rates between 1 to 1000fps or shutter angles from 1° to 358°.
- Filter compensation mode enables you to directly apply the effects of filters to your exposure reading. Up to four different filter factors can be applied at once, and up to 30 different filter factors can be stored for use (24 common filters are pre-programmed, including CTB, CTO, ND, /- green, and 85 amber filters).
Custom Profiling
- You can enable and disable different metering modes from showing up in menus, allowing you to configure the meter to your own personal workflow.
- Calibration and custom profiling can be accomplished in accordance to your own personal camera by executing a series of exposure tests, processing the tests through Sekonic's Data Transfer Software (included), and outputting the results as a personal profile for use with your meter. These personal profiles confine your meter to work within your specific camera's dynamic range (up to 10 distinct profiles can be saved). Profiles can also be modified or created directly through the meter.
Display Range
- ISO- ISO 3 to 409600 (in 1/3 steps)
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Shutter Speed- Ambient: 30 min. to 1/6400 sec. (in 1, 1/2, and 1/3 steps), 1/200 and 1/400 sec. also available
Flash: 30 min. to 1/1000 sec. (in 1, 1/2, and 1/3 steps), 1/75, 1/80, 1/90, 1/100, 1/200, and 1/400 sec. also available - Aperture- f/0.5 to f/162.2 (in 1/3 steps)
- Frame Rate (f/s)- 1 to 1000 (20 types other possible settings)
- Shutter Angle- 1° to 358° (20 types other possible settings)
- EV- EV -27.9 to 55.8 (only effective with ambient light)
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Analog- T scale: 4 to 1/2000 sec. (in 1/3 steps)
F scale: f/1.0 to f/90 (in 1/3 steps)
EV scale: EV -3 to 3 (incident light, in 1/3 steps) / EV -7 to 7 (reflected light, in 1/3 steps)
Illuminance lux: 0 to 50,000 lux
Illuminance fc: 0 to 5,000 fc
Luminance cd/m2: 0 to 2,500 cd/m2
Luminance fl: 0 to1,000 fl - Contrast- EV -9.9 to 9.9 (in 1/10 steps)
- Filter Compensation- EV -5 to 5 (in 1/10 steps)
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Compensation- EV -9.9 to 9.9 (in 1/10 steps)
Specifications
Type |
Digital light meter for flash and ambient light |
Radio Frequency |
2.4 GHz (Phottix Strato II) |
Receptor Element |
2 x Silicon photo diodes |
Receptor Head |
Incident Light: Lumisphere convertible to flat diffuser, rotates 90° right & 180° left Reflected Light: Optional 5° viewfinder |
Measuring Modes |
Ambient Light: Aperture priority, shutter speed priority, TF priority, EV metering, HD Cine (shutter priority, FPS metering, lux or fc), Cine (FPS metering, shutter angle setting, lux or fc), illuminance (lux or fc), luminance (cd/m² or fl) Flash Light: Cord (PC sync terminal), cordless, wireless radio triggering |
Measuring Range |
Ambient Light (ISO 100): Incident: -2 EV to 22.9 EV; Reflected: 3 EV to 22.9 EV Flash Light (ISO 100): Incident: f/1.0 to f/128.9; Reflected: f/2.8 to f/128.9 Illuminance: 0.1 to 180,000 fc / 0.63 to 2,000,000 lux Luminance: 0.29 to 290,000 fl / 1.0 to 980,000 cd/m² |
Repeat Accuracy |
±0.1 EV or less |
ISO Range |
3 to 409,600 in 1/3 steps, plus 850 |
Shutter Speed |
Ambient Light: 1/64,000 sec to 30 min, plus 1/200 & 1/400 sec, in 1, 1/2, and 1/3 steps Flash Light: 1/1,000 sec to 30 min, plus 1/75, 1/80, 1/90, 1/100, 1/200, & 1/400 sec, in 1, 1/2, and 1/3 steps |
Aperture |
f/0.5 to f/161.2 in 1, 1/2, and 1/3 steps |
Frame Rate |
1-1,000 fps |
Shutter Angle |
1-358° |
EV Range |
-27.9 EV to 55.8 EV (only ambient light) |
Memory Function |
9 readings |
Groups |
4 groups |
Connections |
1 x PC sync terminal 1 x Mini-USB port |
Screen |
2.7" / 6.9 cm color touchscreen LCD |
Power Source |
2 x AAA batteries (alkaline, manganese, lithium, nickel hydride, or nickel) |
Operating Temperature |
14 to 122°F / -10 to 50°C |
Storage Temperature |
-4 to 140°F / -20 to 60°C |
Dimensions |
2.2 x 5.5 x 1.0" / 57 x 140 x 26 mm |
Weight |
4.9 oz / 140 g without batteries |
What's Included
1x Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478DR Light Meter for Phottix