SEKONIC L-508 User Manual

Operating Manual

SEKONIC

Zoom Master L-508

Congratulations on your purchase of a

Table of Contents

Sekonic Zoom Master L-508 Exposure Meter.

The Zoom Master L-508 is the latest addition to the extensive line of Sekonic
Exposure Meters which have been market leaders for over four decades.
It was designed to be the ultimate meter, a do-all instrument for the most
demanding pros.
It is the first zoom spot meter on the market. Nine camera-quality lens elements
are required to accomplish its 1° to 4° zoom range.
Its sealed housing and controls make it water and moisture resistant.
Yes, you can use it in the rain, but it is not an underwater meter.
Its large LCD display makes readings easy and lights up automatically in dark
surroundings.
In order not to crowd the controls, four functions which are less frequently used,
are confined to DIP switches, located in the battery compartment.
Because of its many features, the L-508 requires this rather extensive manual.
But since you will never use them all at the same time, once you have learned all
about it, it is simple and its use will become second nature.
The Zoom Master L-508 has undergone extensive quality controls at every step
of manufacture. Please read this instruction manual thoroughly, to be able to take
advantage of its many features and to obtain the long service life it is designed
for. Thank you for your confidence in Sekonic.

1. Parts Designation ....................................................................................................1

2. Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) ......................................................... 2-3

3. Before Using ........................................................................................................ 4-5

1. Attach the strap .................................................................................................... 4

2. Inserting the battery

3. Checking battery capacity ...................................................................................... 4

4. Replacing battery during measurement

or when using the memory function .........................................................................5

5. Auto Power Off function ........................................................................................5

6. Setting main ISO film speed ................................................................................... 5

7. Setting second ISO film speed (ISO 2) ..................................................................... 5

4. Basic Operation ................................................................................................... 6-9

1. Incident or Reflected Spot Measuring ......................................................................6

2. Setting measuring mode ........................................................................................7

3. Setting DIP switches

4. When set for incident light ......................................................................................8

5. When set for reflected light (spot metering)

5. Measurment .....................................................................................................10-18

1. Measuring Ambient Light ..................................................................................... 10

1-1 Shutter Speed Priority mode ........................................................................... 10

1-2 Aperture Priority mode ................................................................................... 10

1-3 EV mode ...................................................................................................... 11

1-4 Cinematography ........................................................................................... 12

2. Measuring Flash Light ......................................................................................... 13

2-1 Cord Flash mode

2-2 Auto Reset Cordless Flash mode ..................................................................... 15

2-3 Cord Multiple Flash (cumulative) mode ............................................................. 16

2-4 Cordless Flash Cumulative mode .................................................................... 17

6. Advanced Functions ..........................................................................................19-24

1. Memory function ................................................................................................. 19

2. Averaging function .............................................................................................. 19

3. Brightness Difference function ............................................................................... 20

4. How to use the L508 as an incident Illuminance (LUX) Meter .....................................22

5. How to use a reflected luminance (cd/mz) meter ...................................................... 23

6. How to change the compensating function .............................................................. 24

7. Accessories .......................................................................................................... 25

8. Technical Data .................................................................................................. 26-27

9. Safety Guide ........................................................................................................ 27

10.Care and Maintenance .......................................................................................... 28

..............................................................................................4

.............................................................................................8

...............................................................9

.......................................................................................... 13

1. Parts Designation

16. Zoom Lens R

ing

14. Memory button

13. Memory Clear button

10. Mode set button

9. Strap eyelet

2. Lumisphere

3. Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

rEV (Brightness Difference) button

6. ISO 2 button

7. Power button (ON/OFF switch)

8. Synchro terminal

22. DIP Switches

23. Battery Compartment

Spot Selector Switch

18. Viewfinder Eyepiece

2. Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display

15. Zoom Lens Protective Glass

12. Booster Outlet

11. ISO (main) button

1. Lumisphere UP/DOWN ring

4. Average/

5. Set/change Dial

17. Incident /Reflected

19. Measuring button

20. Battery
Compartment Cover

¼” Tripod Socket

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24. Zoom Lens Cap

25. Synchro Terminal Cap

NOTE: For explanation purposes, the display illustrated here shows all icons and

readouts simultaneously. Actual display will never show as above.

Auto Electro-Luminescent Display

In low light (EV 3 or less), a blue backlight will automatically illuminate the entire LCD. When using
the Mini Light Receptor or a Booster (optional accessories) the LCD will be illuminated after
measuring, regardless of the ambient light level.
The LCD will not be automatically illuminated during measuring, or in Cordless Flash mode.
The Electro-luminescent backlight will automatically turn off 10 seconds after last operation.

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2.Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display

[1] Measuring Mode Icons

Cord Flash (see page 13)
[2] Incident/ Reflected Spot Function Icons (see page 6)

Lights when in Reflected Spot mode

ISO Displays ISO film setting

Displays second ISO film setting when ISO 2 button is depressed

[4] +/- Compensation Indicator

Lights when +/- Compensation is set

Digital aperture value, Aperture Priority, EV Brightness Difference, Average function, EV display

lights when using EV mode (see page 11)

values

Battery Power Indicator (see page 4)

[9] Memory / Multiple Flash Indicator Display

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3. Before Using

WARNING

wrapped around his neck. There is danger of strangulation.

the Battery cover latch.

battery positive and negative terminals are not reversed.

• When the Power button 7 is ON, the battery power indicator on the LCD is lit.

(Blinking) Replace battery immediately.

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Ambient (see page 10)
Auto-Reset Cordless Flash (see page 15)

Lights when in Incident mode

[3] ISO Display

[5]

lights when in Aperture Priority (f/stop) mode (see page 10)
lights When Using brightness difference function (See Page 20)
lights when using Averaging function (see page 19)

[6] Analog Aperture and Memory Scale
Displays marks at apertures indicating full or half f/stop values for measurement, memory, average

1. Attach the strap

Attach the Strap 26 by passing the small end loop through the

eyelet 9 and passing the other end of strap through it.

•Please place in a location where an infant cannot reach and accidentally get the strap

2. Inserting the battery

• Requires one 1.5 v AA size battery. Accepts any of the
following types:

Manganese battery (R6P)
Alkaline battery (LR6)
Lithium battery (FR6)

1. Open the Battery compartment cover latch 21, and re­ move the Battery compartment cover 20 .

2. Insert the battery, observing the polarity with the +,- marks
in the battery chamber.

3. Align the tabs of the Battery compartment cover with the
notches in the back of the meter, and press down to close

NOTE:

•Nickel cadmium (NiCad) and nickel hydroxide (NiH) rechargeable batteries cannot be
used.

•To prevent loss of All-weather seal, be careful that dirt does not get stuck on the rubber
seal and that the seal is not damaged.

•Remove battery if meter is not used for an extended period. Batteries can leak and
damage the exposure meter. Dispose of used batteries properly.
If the LCD does not light, check that the battery capacity is sufficient, and check that the

[8]

lights when reading is memorized (see page 19)
lights when in Multi (cumulative) flash measurement mode (see page 16)

3. Checking battery capacity

(Lit) Battery power level is good.
(Lit) Battery power level is low. Have a spare battery ready.

Reference:

• If the Measuring Button is pressed continuously, the battery life at normal room
temperature will be as follows:
Manganese battery approximately 10 hours
Alkaline battery approximately 20 hours
Lithium battery approximately 35 hours

We recommend you always have a spare battery on hand.

3. Before Using

down, and cause an accident, injury or pollute the environment.

pressed again the last settings are displayed.

displayed.

measurements. The new value is automatically is displayed.

4. Basic Operation

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4. Replacing battery during measurement or when using the memory function

• Always turn the power OFF before replacing batteries. If batteries are removed with the power
ON, measurements and settings in memory can no longer be recalled.

• If after replacing the battery, or during measurements, strange screens (displays that have
not been set) appear in the LCD, or nothing happens, no matter what button is pushed,
remove the battery and wait at least ten seconds and then replace the battery. This allows the

5. Auto Power Off function

6. Setting main ISO film speed

7. Setting second ISO film speed

software to automatically reset, and is not a malfunction.

WARNING:

• Never place batteries in fire, short, disassemble, or heat them. The batteries might break

• To conserve battery power, the meter will turn off about twenty minutes after last use.

• Whether the Auto Power Saving feature turns the power off or the Power button 7 is pressed,

the settings and measured values remain stored in memory. When the Power button is

• Hold down the ISO button 11 and turn the Set/change

to select ISO speed for the film being used

dial 5

• You can also change the ISO film speed after taking
measurements. The new value is automatically

• This feature is useful when using a second film with
different ISO speed, using Polaroid
for exposure correction (when using a filter, close-up
photography, etc.).

1. Hold down the ISO 2 button 6 and turn the Set/change
dial to select ISO speed of the film being used.

2. Once this is set, after taking a measurement, the
measured value for the second film speed will be
displayed when the ISO 2 button is depressed.

3. You can also change the second ISO film speed after taking

™ proofing film, or

.

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