Sekonic Flashmate
posted 2-18-'04

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CLICK HERE FOR Sekonic Flashmate
PDF MANUAL
MADE FROM THIS FILE

Sekonic Flashmate

 

Sekonic Flashmate Sekonic Flashmate
 
 

Liquid Crystal Display instructions

Sekonic Flashmate


3.
Mode Selection

Sekonic Flashmate

Sekonic Flashmate Switching between the incident or reflected light method of measurement
Slide the lumisphere to the a orb click position. (Figs. 1 and 2).

* Hold down and move the knurled part to move the lumisphere (Fig. 3).

Incident Light Method Measurement
Place the exposure meter at the position of the subject to be photographed with the lumisphere facing the camera lens for measurement (Fig. 4).

Sekonic Flashmate Reflected Light Method Measurement

• Place the exposure meter at the position of the camera or in the same direction as the camera with the lens facing the desired part of the subject to be photographed for measurement (Fig. 5).

• If the exposure meter is placed at the position of the camera for measurement, the average value for the overall subject is obtained.

•   For partial measurement, place the exposure meter as
close as possible to the desired part of the subject.

* Be careful not to allow the exposure meter shadow or
other object to affect the measured part.

4. Preparation for Measurement
 Sekonic Flashmate (1) Inserting the battery

Use a 1.5-V "AA" battery (UM3 dry, LR-6 or R-6).
1. Slide the battery case cover in the direction of the arrow to remove it (Fig. 6).
2. Insert the battery into the battery case, observing the (+) and (-) indications on the inner surface of the case. Insert the (
end first, then push the battery in toward the (-) side.
3. Slide the battery case cover along the unit to close it. Check that the cover is securely closed.
4. Press the power switch to turn ON the power. "b.c" and bar symbols indicating the battery capacity appear on the liquid crystal display (Fig. 7), then the meter is switched to the measurement mode.
* When the remaining battery capacity is low, the "b.c" display flashes or disappears.
* If the meter is left ON, the auto-off function is activated, automatically switching off the display in about four minutes.
* To use the meter again after auto-off, turn ON the power.
* The mode setting is held even after power OFF or auto-off.
* Ni-cd or lithium batteries cannot be used.

Preparation for Measurement

(2) Setting the measurement mode
1. Every time the mode selection button is pressed, functions (mode) cycle as follows:

Sekonic Flashmate

 

Sekonic Flashmate * You can switch the EV or F value display by pressing the mode selection button while holding down the ISO button in the ambient light measurement mode (Figs. 8 and 9).
Sekonic Flashmate (3) Setting the film speed (ISO)
1. Press either side of the UP/DOWN button while holding down the ISO button to set the film speed (Fig. 10).
* The ISO value is continuously changed by keeping either side of the UP/DOWN button held down for more than 1 second while holding down the ISO button.

(4) Setting the shutter speed (T)
1. Press either side of the UP/DOWN key to set the shutter speed (Fig. 11).
2. After "1/8000" appears, the cine scale is displayed. The cine scale is based on a 180° shutter blade opening. (Fig. 12)
3. In the flash light measurement mode, the shutter speed of "1/75", "1/80", "1/90" then "1/100" are displayed after "1/500" (Fig. 13).


5. Ambient Light Measurement (EV or F value)

Sekonic Flashmate 1. Press the selection key to set the Sekonic Flashmate ambient light measurement mode.

2. Set the film and shutter speeds.

3. Press the measuring switch to display the measured value.

•   In the ambient light measurement mode, light measurement is continuously conducted 
    while the measuring switch is set to ON.
•   After measurement, measured values are automatically calculated by changing the ISO or T (time) setting.
•   Switching between EV and F value display. Press the mode selection switch while 
    holding down the ISO key. The above 2 illustrations refer to switching between EV or F value. (Figs. 14 and 15).
•   Each bar symbol on the liquid crystal display expresses 1/10 of the F value. 
    For example, Fig. 15 expresses F2.0 + 3/10 stop.
•   If the measuring range is exceeded, the digital F-stop number is replaced with either mark of E.u. (underexposure) or E.o. (overexposure).


6. Flash Light Wireless Measurement

Measurement without using the synchro cord

1. Press the mode selection key to set the wireless measurement mode.

2. Set the film and shutter speeds.

Sekonic Flashmate 3. When the measuring switch is pressed, the Sekonic Flashmate mark starts flashing, indicating the waiting state.

4. When the meter receives a flash burst, the F value is displayed (Fig. 16).

Even after light measurement, the Sekonic Flashmate mark continues flashing, indicating the waiting state. When the meter receives another flash, the previous F value is replaced by the new F value.
   TheSekonic Flashmate mark continues flashing for about 90 seconds.
   Light cannot be measured unless the Sekonic Flashmate mark is flashing.
If the meter does not detect a light in the wireless measurement mode even if a flash occurs, switch to the wired measurement mode. (The meter may not sense when flash light is less bright than surrounding light.)

Sekonic Flashmate • If the shutter speed setting (T) is changed after measurement, the measured value is erased and the F value displayed as "0".
• If the measuring range is exceeded, the digital F-stop number is replaced with either mark of E.u. (underexposure) or E. o. (overexposure).


7. Flash Light Wired Measurement
Measurement using the synchro cord

Sekonic Flashmate 1. Press the mode selection key to set the Sekonic Flashmate wired measurement mode (Fig. 17).

2. Set the film and shutter speeds.

3. Connect a flash unit to the synchro terminal of the meter using the synchro cord (Fig. 18).

4. Press the measuring switch to produce a flash and display the F value (Fig. 19).


Sekonic Flashmate 5. To measure another flash, press the measuring switch again and a new F value is displayed.

•   Set the shutter speed after checking the synchronization range of the flashbulb.
•   Connecting the synchro cord to the synchro terminal or switching ON/OFF 
      causes some flash units to fire.
•   Before setting the shutter speed, check and confirm the synchronization range of the camera.      When time conversion is made after measurement, the F value become "0".
•   If the flash unit does not fire, measure light in the wireless measurement mode.


Synchro cord (used for Sekonic Flashmate wired measurement) is sled separately.
This 5-m-long cord has three plugs for synchronizing the exposure meter and your flash unit or your camera and the flash unit (Fig. 20). This is very convenient since it eliminates cord re-connection prior to photography. The terminal on the exposure meter is also equipped with a locking mechanism to securely connect the cord.
8. Precautions on Handling
Since the Sekonic Flashmate L-308 is a precision electronic instrument consisting of many electronic parts, observe the following points:

8. Precautions on Handling

1. Never drop it or apply impact to it.

2. Do not keep in a high-temperature or humid place.

3. Keep the lumisphere and lens surfaces clean and free from dust, foreign particles and scratches.

4. Wipe off dirt with a soft or silicon cloth. Never use solvent such as thinner or benzine.

5. To prevent battery wastage, keep the power OFF as much as possible when not in use.

6. If the meter does not operate normally, remove the battery, wait for about 10 seconds, then re-insert the battery.

7. Remove the battery if the meter is not to be used for a long time.

In the case of failure, take the meter to the nearest dealer or send it to the service center. If mailing the meter, wrap it in 3-cm or thicker shock-absorbing material, then pack it in a corrugated cardboard box.


9. Specifications

Measurement  • Incident and reflected light methods
  •   Digital exposure meter for ambient and flash lights
Measuring range (ISO100) • Ambient light: EV1 to 19 :*t" (19.9)
  •   Flash light: F2 to 90 - (F90 + 0.9 stop)
Repeat accuracy   • ±0.1 EV or less
Light receiving section • Incident light: Lumisphere
  •   Reflected light: Lens (light receiving angle of 40`)
Light receiving element • Silicon photo diode
Calibration constant  • C = 340, K = 12.5
Display range • ISO (film speed): 3 to 8,000 (unit: 1/3 SV)
  •   T (shutter speed) : Ambient light: 60 sec to 1/8,000 sec. (unit: 1 TV)
  f/s (cine scale)   : 8, 12, 16, 18, 24, 25, 30, 32, 64 or 128
  Opening angle   : 180°
  Flash light   : 1 sec to 1/500 sec. (unit: 1 TV) plus 1/75, 1/80, 1/90 or 1/100 sec.
  •   F (stop): 0.5 to 90
  •   EV (exposure value): -4 to 26 ' ' -
  •   Fractions of For EV value:. , (0.1) to (0.9)
Other display • Measuring range E.u (underexposure) and E.o (overexposure)
  •   Measurement mode Sekonic Flashmate
  •   Battery check: b.c to -
Battery used  • One "AA" battery (UM3 dry R-6, LR-6), 1.5 V
Operating temperature range • 0°C to 40°C
Storage temperature range • -20°C to 60°C
Standard accessories • Strap, soft case and dry battery (one)
Size and weight   • 110 x 63 x 22 mm
  •   Approx. 80 g (excluding the battery)

* The specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice due to improvements