Operating Instructions
SIXTOMAT
15007 • 1/5.98
FUNCTION
M
SIXTOMAT flash
Adjustable
diffuser
Socket to
connect the
synchronizin g cable
Display
Measuring
button M
Buttons
to adjust
the values
Buttons to select
the requi r ed
function
Made in Germany
SIZE AA LR6 1,5 Volts
Battery
compartment
cover
Battery
compartment
Eyelet for
carrying strap
2 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
Contents
1 Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
1.1 The display and its elements . . . . . . . 5
1.2 Display duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2 How the SIXTOMAT flash functions . 6
2.1 Preparations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 Incide nt an d reflecte d lig ht
measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
3 The individual functions . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.1 Setting the film speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2 Measuring fun c tio ns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
3.2.1 Flash readings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3.2.2 Multiple flash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.3 Measurements outside t he
measuring range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3.3.1 Display outside the display range . . . 14
3.4 Settin g an d me as ur i ng
correction values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
3.4.1 Setting correc ti on value s . . . . . . . . . 15
3.4.2 Measuring correction values . . . . . . 16
3.4.3 Cancelling correction values . . . . . . 17
3.4.4 Important remarks concerning
correction values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4 Service remarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5 Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3.2.3 Shutter priority mode . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
3.2.4 Contrast measurement . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.5 Aperture priority mode . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3.2.6 Exposure value EV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
3.2.7 CINE scale (frames per second) . . . . 13
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 3
Your SIX TOMAT f lash is an e xposu re met er wi th
digital display from GOSSEN. It measures continuous li ght and flash, and it covers a wide
measuring range with great accuracy.
A wealt h of knowledge in t he area of light metering, based on many decades of experience in
the manufacture of exposure meters, is now
being made available to the user, in the simplest
manner possible, through microprocessor technology.
As a result of its precise calibration, the
SIXTOMAT flash measures with the greatest accuracy, and operation is exceptionally simple
and convenient.
Features characterising the SIXTOMAT flash:
– Measures incident and reflected light,
flash (w ith cord or cord less) and the level of
ambient light
– Microprocessor contr olled
– Digital LCD display in tenth stops
– Analog contrast display in half stops
– Storage of settings and readings
– Programmable exposure correction
– Recall of all possible shutter speed /aperture
combinations of a given reading
– Aperture or shutter priority preselecti on
– Extremely convenient to measure flash
– Covers the entire CINE scale
(frames per second), including the
TV standard 25 and 30f.p. s .
– Warning when range is exceeded
– Automatic battery check
– Auto off
4 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
1Display
1.1 The display and its elements
34
1
2
3 Display identification for aperture
4 Display identification for
exposure value (LW)
f
EV
5 Analog aperture scale
6 Left-hand digital display
– Aperture
– Exposur e va lue
f
EV
– Correction valu e sto ps
– Multiple flash
5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
1 Functions
– Flash measurement
– Continuous light measurement
with s h utter priority
– Continuous light measurement
with aperture priority
– Continuous light measurement
with read-out of exposure values (EV)
– Entering the correction values
– Setting the fil m speed
2 Digital display of film speed DIN/ASA (ISO)
– Film speed in DIN
7 Display identification for exposure time
8 Warning sign for battery check
t
BAT
9 Display identification „/“ for fractions
of a second
10 Right-hand digital display
– Exposure time
t
– Exposure extens io n fac tor
– CINE (frames per second); symbol:
– Film speed in ASA
11 Unit symbol m = minutes
12 Unit symbol s = seco nds
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 5
1.2 Display duration
The display is automatically shut off, i.e. there
are no readings, if any control button of the
SIXTOMAT flash has not been used for 2 minutes; the r eadin gs are stored.
– The stored values ar e recalled by depressing
the function or value buttons
– Renewed measurement is instantly possible
when the metering button is depr essed.
2 How the SIXTOMAT flash functions
2.1 Preparations
Battery
The SIXTOMAT flash operates with a 1,5 V
AA-ty pe batter y (alkaline-manganese battery).
Since the meter’s power consum ption i s minim al,
the battery will last for a long time. When the battery’s capacity becomes exhausted, the
symbol ap pears on the disp lay as a warnin g that
BAT
the battery has to be replaced at the earliest pos-
The values of the last meter reading are stored
until a new meter re ad in g is take n.
The SIXTOMAT flash is fitted with separate memories for continuous light an d flash measurement.
sible op po rtunity .
Measurements c ease to be possib le if the dis-
play only indicates . The battery must be im-
BAT
mediately replaced.
To change the battery open the battery comp-
partment of the SIXTOMAT flash. Remove the
exhausted battery and insert the new one. Ensure correct polarity „+“ and „–“! Push back the ba ttery compartment cover. Battery changing
erases all stored values.
6 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
Self-Chec ki ng rout i ne
2.2 Incident and reflected light
measurement
With reg ard to it s measuring possibilities and
operation, the SIXTO M AT flash was designed
for professional use. Due to its adjustable diffuser dome, the meter is easily adapted for the dedicated amateur and the profes sional
The microcomputer performs a self-checking
routine as soon as the battery has been inserted.
Every possible display segment appears on the
display during this routine. The duration of the
self-checking routine is approximately 10 seconds, but it can be interrupted by depressing any
button. The factory-pro grammed basic settings
are automatic a lly adj usted as soo n as the se lf checkin g routine has been completed.
Basic values
ISO 100/21° COR 0/ 1.0
f 5.6 t 1/125
EV 12 Flash f 5.6 1/60
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 7
photographer.
Incident light measurement leads to particularly
precise exposures. With incident light measurement the SIXTOMAT flash is used with the diffuser dome in place, and pointed from the subject
to the camera.
This guarantees a precise exposure in conformity with the correct tonal values of the subject.
This is parti c ularly important wi th inhe rently
bright or dar k subj ects . Even i n dif ficul t exp osure
situations, for instance with contrasty subjects,
incident light measurement with the diffuser results in f ar more accurate exposures to satisfy
the most discerning professional requirements.
Measurement by the incident method is far more
accurate and reliable to establish the correct exposure setting than the calculating of a mean value ob tained w ith th e refl ected l ight measure ment
in your camera. In the latter case, the reading depends upon the range of contrasts of the subject.
However, there is not always a uniform distribution of bright and dark areas of equal importance
within the subject. Incident light measurement is
also imperati ve with inaccessible subjects.
For this purpose it is necessary to select a point
that has the same lighting level as the subject.
And then a meter reading is taken that lies parallel with the projected connecting line between the
actual subject and the camera. This very convenient method of light metering at a point with the
same light i ng lev el is high ly r ec om me nd ed for
outdoor shots. The measurement is performed
with a complete „180°“ turn in front of the camera
so that the reading is taken with the meter pointing towards the camera, i.e. opposite the actual
picture shooting direction.
Incident light measurement, i.e. with diffuser, also
gives a precise reading of the brightness range of
the lighting. Both kinds of lighting – flash and continuous light – are measured with great accuracy
by the incident light method with diffuser.
Parallel to this, the SIXTOMAT flash also offers
the refl ec te d lig ht measur in g me thod. In thi s
mode the diffuser dome is pushed aside to the
left or right, and the meter is pointed from the camera towards the subject. The meter now only
measures th e li gh t re fl ec ted by th e su bject . Consequen tly, t he rea ding always depe nds upon the
inherent brightness of the subject!! This means
that inhe rently brighte r subjects ar e not precis ely
measured and therefore rend ered darker. If readings a re to b e taken e xclus ivel y by th e refl ected
light me asu rin g me t ho d, th en it i s ad va nt ageo us
for the professional to use a grey card (18 % reflection) in this mode. The reflected light method
is used to me asu r e the su bj ec t contr a st wh ic h is
displ ayed by the SIXTOMAT flash on its analog
scale (s ee Se ctio n 3.2. 4 Cont ras t measur emen t,
page 12).
8 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
3 The individual functions
3.1 Setting the film speed
3.2 Measuri ng functi ons –
Continuous light measurement
– Shutter priority in function :
t
a reading is taken for the corresponding aperture (see Section 3.2.3 Shutter priority mode –
Continuous light measurement, page 11)
– Contrast meas ure me nt in func tio n
t
(see Section 3.2.4 Contrast measurement,
– Select with the function buttons
ISO
– Adjust the required ISO value with the
value buttons (display left: DlN value,
right: ASA value)
Once the film speed has been set, it is transferred to the memory of the SIXTOMAT flash when
the meter is adjusted to any operating function,
and remai ns v is ib le on the t op righ t -han d s id e of
the digital display.
Any change of the film speed directly influences
the stored paire d ap er tu r e and sh ut t er valu es .
The selected film speed is retained in the memory until it is changed in the described manner.
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 9
page 12)
– Aperture priority in function :
f
a reading is taken for the corresponding shutter speed (see Section 3.2.5 Aperture priority
mode, page 12)
– Exposu re value mea su r em ent in function
EV
: the shutter spe ed is preselectable, and
the aperture is given as an analog value (see
Section 3.2.6 Ex posure value EV, page 13)
– CINE (frames per second) in function : (see
t
Section 3 .2.7 CI NE scal e (frames p er second ),
page 13)
Select the required function with the corresponding fu nctio n buttons.
3.2.1 Flas h readings Readings can be taken with or without synchronizing cable. When used in conjunction with a
synchr onizin g cable the flash is fired by depressing the button – the flash is automatically fi-
M
red and measured.
– Select w ith the fun c tio n butto ns
– Adjust the desir ed synchronizin g speed with
the value buttons. Synch range from 1 s to
1/1000 s (including 1/90 s)
– Depress the measuring button .
M
SIXTOMA T flash is operabl e for meteri ng for a
period of 45 s (meter readiness prevails as
long as F remains visible on the display)
– Fire the flash
– The measu red apert ure (t otal of flas h and co n-
tinuous light) appears on the left digital display, and as a fla shing ma rk on the analog
aperture scale. The aperture for the share of
continous lig ht is additionally indica ted on the
aperture scale (in our example f/8).
10 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
3.2.2 Multiple flash
3.2.3 Shutter priority mode –
Continuous light measurement
Occasionally the light output from a sin gle flash
may not be sufficient to enable you to work at the
– Select with the function butto ns (the last
apertur e desired. When this happens, simply
push the top value button until the desired
– Adjust the desired shutter speed with the vaf/number appears in the display.
The digital shutter speed display disappears, to
be replac ed by i nfo rmati on on t he numb er of flas-
– Measure by pressing the meas. button
– The measured aperture appears
hes that have to be fired for the desired f-stop
(e.g.: F4 = 4 flashes).
The SIXTOMAT flash will calculate up to a
maximum of 10 flash sequences.
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 11
– Select alter nativ e aperture/shutter speed-
t
stored value appears on t he display)
lue but tons
M
on the le ft-hand digital display
(accuracy: 1/10stops), also as a rounded
mark in the analog aperture scale
combinations with the value buttons
3.2.4 Contrast measureme nt
3.2.5 Apertur e prio ri ty mo de
– Select with the function bu tto ns
– Keep the measuring button depressed
t
M
– Select with the function buttons
– Set the desir ed aperture with the value but-
while a imi ng th e me te r at vari ou s area s of th e
subje c t. The analog aperture scale displays
the f-s top se ries be twee n two ext reme va lues ,
and with th e ac tu al me asured val ue flashing .
The first measured f-stop is displayed on the
left-hand side of the display (it remains displayed as a reference value (e.g. of a
– Measure by pressing the meas. button
– The measured shutter speed appears on the
grey card)).
– After the measuring button is released, the
– Automatic adapta tio n of the aper tu re
entire measur ed contrast range is disp layed
on the analog aperture scale, and the last
– Select other paired aperture/shu tter values
measured value will cease to flash.
12 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
f
tons. The intermed iate 1/1 0 stop val ues stor ed
from the last measurement appear when the
aperture is preset. These a re invalid because
the val id 1/1 0th s tops will only appe ar a fter the
next meter reading is taken.
M
right- h an d di gital dis pla y
in 1/10 stops to t he mea s ur e d shutter sp ee d
with the value buttons
3.2.6 Exposure val ue EV
3.2.7 CINE scale (frames per second)
– Select with the function bu tto ns
EV
– Measure by pressing the meas. button
– The measured exposure value appears
on the left- h an d dig ital disp la y
(accuracy: 1/10 stops), and the aperture as a
rounded-off mark in the analog aperture sca le
– Select with the value bu tto ns o the r paired
aperture/shutter speed values corresponding
with this exposure value.
M
– Select the desired Cine speed (f.p.s.)
– Measure by pressing the meas. button
– Select with the function buttons
t
by inc rea sing the sh utter speed setti ng
beyond 1/ 8000 sec. After approx. 1 second
the meter switches over to CINE speeds.
The symbol appears on the display.
The CINE speeds can be preset between
8 and 64 frames/ second.
M
– The measured aperture appears on the left-
hand dig ital display (accuracy: 1/10t h stops),
and additional ly as a ro unded-off mar k in the
analo g ap erture sca le
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 13
The disp la ye d a pe rtu re ap pl ie s to a 18 0° shutter
COR
blade. E nte r a C OR valu e in the funct ion for
other shutter blades as an extension factor.
V = 180°: open aperture angle
3.3 Measu r em ents outs ide the
measuring range
3.3.1 Display outside the display range
If the sym bo l or appea rs o n th e r igh t or l e ft
digital display it indicates that the taken readi ng
is outside the meter’s display range.
With actuate value button to enter the display range.
to enter the dis-
– The SIXTOMAT flash will not produce any
With acuate value button
play range.
useful readings outside its measuring range
– If it is too dark or too bright, an E (= Error) ap-
pears on the left-hand digital display, and alongside it for too dark, or for too bright
14 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
3.4 Setting and measuring correction values
(see Section 3.4.4 Important remarks concerning correction val ues, page 17)
The extension factor is shown in the right-hand
digital display, and the correction value in stops
in the left-hand section.
Enter in 1/10th stops (small figure) within a range
3.4.1 Setting correction values
of ±7.9 exposure value stops.
A figure preceded by „–“ indicates an exposure
extending cor rection.
Example:
–3.1 stop s equal factor 8.6.
In the event of an exposure shortening correc-
– Select with the function buttons (the last
COR
valid correction value appears on the di splay)
tion, on ly th e le ft- han d di sp la y ap pear s as an exposure value differenc e in stops.
– Enter or ch an ge the corre cti on value wit h the
value bu ttons
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 15
3.4.2 Measuring correction values
Insert the li ght-re ducing fi lter (e .g. ne utral de nsity
filter) in the optical path, and press the measuring button.
The light reducing factor in stops, and the extension factor, automatically appear on the display.
Pressing the function buttons transfers the
correction values to the memory of the
SIXTOMAT flash.
The box around still appears when a corre-
COR
tion value was entered.
Correct ion valu es can als o be direct ly measu red.
However, measurement does require constant light.
Depression of the measuring button initiates a
The COR va lu e i s now a uto mat ical l y co ns ider e d
in all s ubsequent measuring f unctions.
reference measurement that is identified on the
digital display by rF --.
16 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
3.4.3 Cance l li n g cor re ct i o n va lues
3.4.4 Important remarks concern ing
correction values
The SIXTOMAT flash is a precision meter calibrated with great accuracy to provide exact exposure d ata. S hould y ou st ill no t be satisf ied wi th
the resu lts , then you s hould r emem ber th at the re
are ind epe nd en t va ri a bles th at c an in fl u enc e th e
– Se lect with the function bu ttons
COR
– Press measur ing button (display rF --)
– Select any other functio n with a functi on
button
– Correction value is cancelled, an d the box
around COR disappears
success of your exposures.
For instance:
– the „true“ speed of your film can deviate from
that on the pack
– the „true“ shutter speeds and f-stops
on your camera can differ slightly form
the rated values
– Deviations can arise when the film is processed
To abov e must be added purely subjective factors and matters of personal preference in the
assessment of the finished photo s . However ,
you can ca librat e your SIXTOMAT flash to characteristics of your camera, your brand of film,
your pr oc es s in g me thods, an d to your proj e ct or .
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 17
We recommend the following procedure:
Take the readings of a few normal su bjects with
the utmost care by the reflect ed and in cident li ght
measurin g me thod s, an d take fi ve shot s of each
subject on colour reversal film. The first picture
should be expose d with the exposure settings
supplied by the SIXTOMAT flash. The exposure
settings for the remaining shots are then
increased and decreased, respectively, by half
an f-stop and then a full f-stop. Make a note of
the shooting conditions. These must not change
while the five shots are being taken. Now select
from the processed pictures th e one you consider to be optimal and compare its settings with
the meter readings.
If you find that y ou prefer exposu res taken with
settings that differ fr om thos e suppli ed by the
meter, then these settings can be programmed
into your SIXTOMAT flash. With your correction,
the SI XTOMAT flash wi ll gi ve p recis e re adin gs to
produce optimal exposure results.
18 GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
4 Service remarks
In the event that your SIXTOMAT flash is not
working to your complete satisfaction, please
send it to:
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH
Lina-Am mon-Str . 22
D-9047 1 Nürnberg
Tel.: 0911 / 8602-180
Fax: 0911 / 8602-142
or to the GOSSEN Agency in your country.
5 Technical data
Measuring methods Incident light
Reflected light
Contr ast meas urement
Flash (cord/c ordless)
Indicatio n of
ambient light share
Calculation
for multiple flash
Programmable
exposure correction
Sensor Silicon blue cell
photodiode
Measuring range
(with ISO 100/21°)LW –2.5 to +18
Repeatable accuracy ±0.1 EV
Exposure times 1/8000 s to 60 min
Aperture stops f/1 to f/90 9/10
Measuring range flash
(with ISO 100/21°) f/1 to f/90
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtmeßtechnik GmbH 19
Flash synch speeds
(meas. time)
CINE values 8 to 64
Adjustable and measurable
correction values –7.9 to +7.9
Extension factors 1.0 to 240
Film speeds ISO 3.2/6° to 8000/40°
Acceptance angle
for reflected light 25°
Battery 1 x 1.5 V AA-type,
Accessories Case, neck strap,
Dimensions ca. 65 x 118 x 19 mm
Weight ca. 95 g
1 to 1/1000
includ ing 1/90 s
includ ing 25 an d 30 TV)
battery condition
indication
battery and
operating instructions
(without battery)
Printed in Germany • Subject to change without notice
GOSSEN Foto- und Lichtm eßtechnik GmbH
Lina-Ammon-Str. 22
D-90471 Nürnberg
Tel.: +49 911 / 8602-180
Fax: +49 911 / 8602-142
http://www.gossen-photo.de
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