Sekonic Flashmate L-308X-U

Affordability and new features highlight a $219 addition to Sekonic’s selection of light meters.

Housing Cine Mode, HD Cine Mode, and Photo Mode, the Sekonic Flashmate L-308X-U gives modern multimedia professionals an inexpensive, entry-level light metering solution that is capable of metering in three different ways. Replacing the L-308S-U and L-308DC-U, it retains the pocket sized dimensions of 2.5" x 4.3" x 0.9" but grows in features, like backlit LCD that illuminates automatically at under EV5.

Cine Mode is designed as the go-to solution for sets. With user-selectable frame rates and shutter angles, ISO 850 is a new option for Sekonic, a common light sensitivity native to many digital cinema cameras like the Canon Cinema EOS C300 and EOS C500. The range of ISO, ISO 3 to ISO 8,000, is available in 1/3 step increments. For filmmakers and photographers used to shooting video with still cameras, the HD Cine Mode provides shutter speed and frame rate information instead.

Photo Mode has full exposure controls for flash and ambient light readings. A new Aperture Priority Mode has been added to Shutter Priority and EV Mode as an option for ambient work, while cordless flash or corded through PC sync are available for strobe photography. At an ISO of 100, the L-308X-U will measure ambient light from 0 to 19.9 EV, with flash coverage from f/1.0 to f/90.9. Illuminance is also available in either Lux or foot candles (2.50lx to 190,000lx / 0.23fc to 17,000fc) if purchasing the optional $29 Lumidisc Accessory.

Offering an exposure value range of EV0 to EV19.9, readings are accurate to within 1/10 of a stop. Sliding the Lumisphere to the side during metering will reveal 40-degree lens to switch quickly from incident to reflected light levels. Weighing approximately 80g without battery, it’s powered from a single AA battery. 

A number of limited quantity gripped cases are also available in six colors.

Established in 1951, Sekonic is based in Tokyo. Follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

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