Discontinued Sekonic L-478D LiteMaster Pro Lightmeter

I've been taking pictures for about 36 years now. I recieved a Kodak Instamatic camera for my 14th birthday and was hooked. A few years later I purchased my first SLR camera. Like so many people out there I thought that the camera is basically a light meter in itself so I figured I could get by without that extra expense. I was proved wrong today when this meter arrived. Straight out of the box and without reading the instructions I was in the field consistently taking razor sharp handheld images on a overcast and foggy day. This is the acid test if you will. Normally I would be getting a few good pix here and there but not with this meter. Every single picture I took today was tack sharp. Basically what the meter does is accurately measures the light falling onto your subject whereas your camera only measures the light that is being reflected back to it. It simply gives you a more accurate reading of the light you are using be it ambient or flash. This little device will make you a more confident photographer and will free up time so you can get more involved in the creative process of photography. I'm excited about the built in video capabilities as well. Now I can step out of the auto mode to make my videos using my 5DMll more creative as well.

So they aren't even supposed to be selling these in the United States.These light meters although very cool, have a set language that cannot be changed for any reason. Via firmware, menu settinsYou are stuck with the language that it is programed with at the factory.So mine both of mine. Yep bought two for the studio again...Chinese. just Chinese. Cannot change this, so I either have to return these( what I plan on doing) or learn how to read and write Chinese!Not even sure what dialect to start with.Do not buy this until you know for sure what language it is set in. Don't let the box fool you either.Both if the boxes are written in English. Put batteries in power it up and Chinese..Spent s lot of money to get screwed here. Not at all happy, and one of my photographers, well he is flat out pissed.Chinese, had to be Chinese!!!

I needed a good light meter, and I couldn't be happier with the Sekonic L-478! Since I often shoot with multiple manual speedlights, this has taken a lot of the guesswork and trial and error out of setting up and adjusting the lights. It's enabled me to be consistent with my lighting in different environments. It's small, easy to use, and can be calibrated to match my camera's specifics. I highly recommend this meter!

The meter itself is excellent. This meter would have gotten five stars, but for a few things:1) The pouch should have a flap over the top2) The meter cannot measure reflective light without the 5 degree attachment (minor for me, given I was going to buy it anyway for the 5 degree spot)3) Dual complaint between this and the 5 degree attachment - the 5 degree reflective spot attachment comes in a little drawstring pouch. Sekonic should have provided a single pouch with this 478 (or with the 5 degree) that would allow storage of the dome and 5 degree attachment and meter. Why are there two incompatible carrying cases? Comes across as someone not thinking it through.Be aware that you must choose according to whether you currently (or will) use pocket wizards. The 478DR is for that. This 478D cannot be upgraded to pocket wizard capability later, so if you're going to use PW, get the 478DR instead. It's the only difference between the two (well, that and price).The menu, as someone else pointed out, is a little clunky. I got used to it within a day or so. I don't have a problem with the touchscreen, but then I don't have hands like a truckosaurus.Also, there is currently an issue with the Wacom driver and the driver for the Sekonic 478 that results in the 478 not being detected by the DTS software. The fix? You have to install everything (driver, DTS software etc., including the reboot) version 3.05 FROM THE CD ONLY (do not install the latest version, 3.06), plug in your light meter and turn it on, open DTS software. At this point it still will not be detected. Go to the update section inside the DTS software and update it to 3.06. DTS will auto close and reopen after this update and then your light meter will be detected. You can unplug the light meter and plug it back in again without issues, but if you close DTS you will have to uninstall 3.06, reinstall 3.05 from the CD, update from within DTS again to 3.06 for the auto close/reopen for it to see your meter. Sekonic are aware of this issue and are apparently working on it.Dome in gives me the ability to measure incident light from one source/angle, useful if I have multiple lights arrayed around a subject.Dome out gives me incident light in 3D.Things I love about this meter:-Accurate-Able to calibrate my camera to my meter using my existing X-rite color checker passport, and have my dynamic range right there on the meter-Can fine tune my own DR settings using the calibration profile-ISO range exceeds my 5D Mk III on the low end and on the high end, with some future proofing there-Memory functions-Was only $70 more than the 378-Memory functions are great, can see at a glance where all my measurements are-Light-Touch screen is responsive-Able to angle dome/spot-Sekonic have a TON of video tutorials, not just on their light meters but on using them in different scenarios, including an excellent vid for how to calibrate itI like that I can use AAA batteries in this. I have a bucketload of AA and AAA eneloops for flashes and triggers and other devices. I also get very good battery life out of it, I've had the meter for about two weeks now, and am still at 3/4 battery charge.

Extremely well made and easy to use light meter. Love the touch screen functionality and it seems to provide a highly accurate light reading from my experience so far with it and I have had it now for several months. I've been a photographer and videographer for over a decade and this is and easy five stars in my book.

This is a great light meter and very intuitive to use. It works flawlessly with my pocket wizards. I highly recommend this light meter to anyone who is a serious amateur or professional.

Very easy to use. It's accurate and has lots of features. But the screen is a disappointment. The first iPhone had a much better display and touch sensitivity. And it's quite hard to read the screen in bright sunlight, and small and ugly menus add to that. I rather to have mechanical buttons and an old school digital lcd.

Tengan cuidado al compralo por que según la pagina se SEKONIC: "Products that come in different languages have 3 versions: English, Chinese and Japanese. These versions are determined in our factory so it is not possible to change the language on your unit. The appropriate versions are sold in the appropriate countries. Please refer to the product page for more information."

This is great light meter. It was delivered quickly and was out with me in my camera bag the same day.

Muito bom mesmo, uma ferramenta imprescindível para quem trabalha com fotografia.

Sekonic is a reliable and durable brand.Working fine. The touchscreen on a light meter needs some getting used to.Lighter and smaller than a 758. The pouch is very flimsy though. Would not recommend hanging it on the belt on your trousers. Personally I put it in my sweatshirt pouch... Have to figure out what to do in summers though.2 months old purchase

As this is a JDM model. Menu system is in Japanese. However, all essential light meter functions can be operated without any knowlege of Japanese language. I like to use off-camera flash and being able to meter flash output accurately makes flash photography much easier.

フラッシュ光を測るために購入。シンクロコードなしでも露出計本体だけで使えるので、コード等が邪魔にならないのが良いです。残念な点は「測光の設定メニュー」と「機能の設定メニュー」が同一の項目からスクロールダウンして選ぶ仕様なので大変に使いづらい。その点はバージョンアップで対応できそうなので、是非とも項目を別けて欲しいです。