Gossen MetraWatt Starlite 2 User manual

Starlite 2
Operating Instructions - 15390

2 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
1
Preparation……………………………………….
1.1
Battery………………………………………………
7
1.2
Self-test…………………………………………….
7
1.3
Selecting the function groups:
DIP switches in the battery compartment……….
8
2
Display panel
2.1
The display panel and its elements……………...
9
2.2
Display duration…………………………………….
10
2.3
Key Lock…………………………………………….
10
3
Operating elements
3.1
ISO1 - IS02; selecting the film speed……………
11
3.2
Menu………………………………………………...
12
3.3
Setting wheel……………………………………….
12
3.4
Measuring buttons M and AVR
12
3.5
Measuring head with optical viewfinder 1 ° or 5°
Flat dome- spherical dome……..…………………
13
4
This is how the Starlite 2 works
4.1
Incident and reflected light measuring…………..
14
5
Meas. functions - Ambient light
5.1
Aperture priority…………………………………….
16
5.2
Exposure time priority……………………………..
17
5.3
Exposure value EV………………………………...
17
5.4
Contrast measuring in the t and EV functions…..
18
5.5
Averaging value AVR in the t and EV functions..
19
5.6
Selecting the exposure time values……………...
20
5.7
Taking measurements in the zone system……...
21
6
Measuring functions- Flash light
6.1
Flash light measuring……………………………..
23
6.2
Flash calculation for changed meas. times….…
24
6.3
Multiple flash calculation………………………….
24
6.4
Average value……………………………………...
25
7
Taking a measuring outside the
measuring range - display range
7.1
Taking a measurem. outside the meas. range…
26
7.2
Taking a measurement outside the display
range………………………………………………..
26
8
Setting and measuring correction values
and extension factors
8.1
Setting correction values………………………….
27
9
CINE meter for cinematographers -
PHOTOMETRY
9.1
Preselecting the Cine speeds……………………
29
9.2
Taking measurements in the CINE function……
29
9.3
Setting the shutter angle………………………….
30
10
Photometry
10.1
Selecting the Photometry display unit…………..
31
10.2
Meas. the Illumination Lux (Ix) or footcandle (fc)
31
10.3
Measuring the luminance candela/m² (cd/m²)
or footLambert (fL)………………………………..
32
10.4
Measuring time-integral values
(lxs, fcs, cds/m2, fLs)……………….……………..
33
11
Practical tips………………………………………
34
12
Technical data…………………………………….
37
13
Service Interface…………………………………
39
14
Service……………………………………………..
39

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
3
Measuring head
with optical viewfinder
Display panel
Description
on page 9
ISO1 button
ISO2 button
Socket for
the flash sync cord
Menu buttons
Retractable dome
Dome ring for setting of
reflected/incident light measuring
Reflected light measuring 1°
Reflected light measuring 5°
Incident light measuring,
flat dome
Incident light measuring,
spherical dome

4 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
Optical viewfinder
Measuring button M
Setting wheel
Measuring button AVR
Eyelet
for connection cord
Service-
interface

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
5
DIP Switches
Battery
Battery
compartment cover
Serial number

6 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
Your STARLITE 2 is the top device in the GOSSEN
product range and represents a real all-in-one light
meter. It combines a light meter for ambient and flash
light, a CINE meter for cinematographers as well as a
measuring Instrument for lighting technology and
photometry. And the clarity of the operating control
elements and the digital display is still preserved.
Functions used over and above the normal metering
can be individually integrated by the user.
The STARLITE 2 can be easily converted into a
complete CINE meter for the cinematographer and
their needs.
Due to the microprocessor technology, the user
benefits from our knowledge on lighting technology
which we have gained over decades of experience in
the construction of light meters.
As a result of its precise calibration, the STARLITE 2
provides very accurate measuring results and is easy
to operate.
Characterising of the STARLITE 2:
- Splashwaterproof housing
- Digital stop display in 1/10 stop increments
- Automatic display Illumination
- Shutter Speeds in full or 1/2 time values
- Second ISO value
- Incident light measuring with spherical/flat dome
- Reflected light measuring, option of 1° or 5°
- Flash measuring (cord/cordless)
- Display of the ambient light portion
- Flash calculation with different measuring times
- Flash calculation for multiple flashes
- Analogue contrast display
with f/stops in 1/2 stop increments
- Averaging of up to 9 measuring values
- Storage of settings and measuring values
- Configurable EV correction
- Measuring in accordance with the zone system
- Direct display of the measuring values on the
zone scale
- Special CINE meter, settable for shutter angles
other than 180 degrees, conversion with
formulas is not necessary
- Functional range of photometry
Measuring of illuminance
and luminance with ambient and flash light
- Key lock

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
7
1 Preparation
1.1 Battery
The STARLITE 2 works with a 1.5 V AA battery
(Alkaline-manganese.
When the battery is running low, the BAT display
appears in addition to the measured values as a
warning to the user.
At this stage, it is advisable to replace the battery as
soon as possible.
When BAT appears on the display alone,
measurements can no longer be taken.
Replace the battery immediately.
To replace the battery, open the battery compartment
of the STARLITE 2, remove the old battery and insert
the new one. Observe the "+" and "-" polarity! Please
close the cover of the battery compartment.
1.2 Self-test
After the new battery has been inserted, the micro-
computer will carry out a self-test. Here, every display
segment of the display panel appears. The self-test
takes about 10 s. It can, however, be interrupted
before by pressing any button.
As soon as the self-test is complete, the factory preset
standard settings are activated.
ISO1 100/21° 0/1,0
ISO2 50/18°
f5,6 t1/125
EV 12 Blitz f 1/60
f/s 24
Warning!
Do not view and do not aim the meter directly
at the sun.
You may not only damage your eye, but also ruin the
light-sensitive cell.

8 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
1.3 Selecting the function groups:
DIP switches in the battery compartment
In addition to the standard functions, your STARLITE 2
features a range of additional characteristics and
functions which can be selected using the
"DIP switches" in the battery compartment.
- DIP 1 Selection STILL –Photography
CINE und PHOTOMETRY
- DIP 2 Selection SHUTTER SPEEDS (1/1 or 1/2)
- DIP 3 Selection DISPLAY UNIT photometry
- DIP 4 Selection Measuring function - ZONES
Zone System
fc fl
1/2 t-Steps
CINE
4
-
lx cd/m²
1/1 t-Steps
STILL
3
2
1
DIP 4
DIP 3
DIP 2
DIP 1

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
9
2 Display panel
2.1 The display panel and ist elements
1 Menu
- Ambient light
- Flash light
2 Measuring head
- Incident light measuring
- Reflected light measuring
3 Meter functions
- Photography
- Cine / Photometry
4 Film speed ISO1 - ISO2
5 Digital display of the film speed
6 Display signal f- EV
7 Display signal Zone
8 Display signal –Function correction value
9 Display signal t–f/s
10 Battery check warning signal
11 Display signal second (s) –minutes (m)
12 Display signal AVR u. M(memory)
13 Display signal photometry
- Illuminance (lx –fc)
- Luminance (cd/m2–fL)
- Time integral values
( lx*s –fc*s –cd/m2*s –fc*s)
14 Analogue scale
15 left digital displays for
- f-stop (f)
- Exposure value (EV)
- Correction values
- Multiple flash calculation
- Average (f) –Number of measurings
- Zone
- Ready for flash (F)
- Photometric measuring values
16 Right digital display for
- Exposure time (t)
- Extension factor –correction value
- Flash calculation, number of flashes
- Cine speeds (f/s)
17 Zone scale
18 Aperture scale
6 1 7 2 13 3 8 4 9 5 10
14 12 15 12 16 1718 11

10 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
2.1.1 Automatic display illumination
When the lighting conditions are poor (about EV 4 or
less), the background lighting of the displayis switched
on automatically for 10 seconds.
2.2 Display duration
If the STARLITE 2 display panel is idle for about
2 minutes, it is switched off automatically. The
measuring values and the preset values remain
stored in memory.
- By pressing anyone of the buttons, you can recall
the measuring value from the memory.
- By pressing the measuring button M, a new
measurement is taken.
The measuring values of the last measurement remain
stored in the memory until a new measurement is
taken.
The STARLITE 2 has separate memories for ambient
and flash light measuring.
2.3. Key Lock
lt makes sense to activate the key lock to avoid
switching on the STARLITE 2 by accident.
- Activating the key lock: press
ISO1 and IS02 simultaneously.
OFF, ISO and IS02 appear for 3 seconds on the
display. Then the instrument switches off
automatically.
If you press any button, OFF, ISO and IS02 are
displayed again for 3 seconds.
- Deactivating the key lock:
press ISO1 and IS02 simultaneously.

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
11
3 Operating elements
3.1 ISO - IS02
Selecting the film speed
You can select two different film speeds with the
ISO1 and IS02 buttons.
- Select the film speed by pressing and holding
"ISO1" or "IS02". ISO or IS02 will flash on the
display panel.
- Set the desired ISO value using the setting wheel.
When another operating function is selected,
the preset film speed is retained in the STARLITE 2
memory.
The film speed you have selected, either ISO1 or IS02,
appears in the top right corner of the display panel (IS02
as long as the IS02 button is pressed).
When the IS02 button is pressed, the converted
shutter speed/f-stop values are displayed on the basis
of the last measuring. Therefore, you no longer have to
carry out time consuming calculations when working
with 2 films of different speeds.
If the film speed is changed, the last measuring value
is converted to the new ISO settings. The selected film
speed is memorized until it is changed in accordance
with the above mentioned procedure.

12 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
3.2 Menu
With the function buttons you can select the measuring
modes ambient light or flash light an.
Keep the menu button pressed and select the sub-
functions time preselection t, f-number preselection f
or exposure value EV using the setting wheel.
3.3 Setting wheel
The setting wheel allows you to change values and
functions.
- Presetting for ambient, flash and ISO
- Calling up shutter speed/f-stop combinations after
measuring. Multiple flash calculation
- Allocation of zones
- Selection of shutter angles in the CINE function
3.4 Measuring buttons –Mand AVR
With the measuring button Myou can trigger off a new
measurement and delete all previous measuring
values.
The measuring button AVR is used for calculation
average values.
Menu-
Buttons
Setting wheel
Button AVR

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
13
3.5 Measuring head with optical viewfinder 1°or5°
Flat dome- spherical dome
The measuring head is the optical control center of the
STARLITE 2. The 270° rotating measuring head
provides the basis for effective working in practice.
Caution:
Never try to overwind the built-in lock by force.
Sooner or later this will cause the connection
between measuring head and basic meter to break
and will have to be repaired!
The following measuring modes can be selected
using the diffuser ring at the measuring head
- Reflected light measuring 1°, spot measuring
- Reflected light measuring 5°, selective measurement
- Incident light measuring, flat dome
- Incident light measuring, spherical dome
The optical viewfinder with measuring angles of 1 ° and
5° for reflected light measuring is also located in the
measuring head. Due to these measuring angles it is
possible to precisely focus an even the smallest spots in
the subject.
The viewing field is about 12°.
Reflected light
measuring 1°
Reflected light
measuring 5°
Incident light measuring,
spherical dome
Dome ring
Incident light measuring,
flat dome

14 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
4. Incident and reflected light measuring
Your STARLITE 2 is designed for the enthusiastic
amateur as well as for professional use.
Its rotating measuring head is the optical "control center",
and the following measuring functions can be set:
- Incident light measuring, dome raised:
spherical measuring characteristics
- Incident light measuring, dome lowered:
flat measuring characteristics
- Reflected light measuring with 5° measuring angle
through the viewfinder
- Reflected light measuring with 1 ° measuring angle
through the viewfinder
Thus, the meter can be conveniently used for all
measuring methods including the zone system.
4.1.1 Incident light –Spherical dome
Set "dome raised" with the dome ring at the measuring
head. The symbol appears on the display.
Taking measurements using the incident light method
in particular can produces perfectly exposed shots.
With the incident light mode, the STARLITE 2
measures with its dome the incident light from the
subject towards the camera.
This guarantees that the tone quality of the picture is
equivalent to that of the subject. This is especially
important for very bright or dark subjects.
Even under very difficult photographing conditions, as
for example with subjects which have a lot of contrast,
the incident light measuring method is a much more
reliable way of producing well-exposed and
professional pictures.
4.1.2 Incident light –Flat dome
The lowered/retracted dome having a flat
characteristic is suitable for reproductions and
for taking measurements for special lighting technology
and photometry.
For this function, the "dome lowered" with the
dome ring at the measuring head must be set.

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
15
4.1.3 Reflected light –1° Spot measuring
For this function, the setting ring at the base of the dome
must be set to the "Reflected light - 1° Symbol. The
symbol appears on the display. In the viewfinder, the
measured area corresponds to the inner, smaller
circle.
Your STARLITE 2 offers reflected light measuring with
1°(spot measuring) via the viewfinder in the measuring
head. When you look through the viewfinder, you can
measure using the measuring buttons Mand AVR from
the camera towards the object. This way, even the
details of a subject can be accurately measured and
analysed through the viewfinder. Now, only the light
reflected from the subject is detected.
When using the reflected light mode, the measuring
values always depend on the reflection of the subject!
As a result of this, bright subjects are reproduced darker
and are therefore not properly exposed.
If the exposure measurement is carried out in
accordance with the reflected light measuring method,
it is advantageous to use a grey chart (18% diffuse
reflection). Furthermore, you can also be given the
average values of up to 9 measuring values. The
different contrast measuring values are displayed on
the analogue aperture scale. Subject contrast is
measured with the reflected light measuring method
and displayed by the STARLITE 2 on the analogue
scale.
4.1.4 Reflected light –5° Selective measurement
For this function, the "Reflected light measurement 5°"
must be set with the dome ring at the measuring head.
The symbol appears on the display.
In the viewfinder, the measuring area corresponds to
the outer, wider circle.
The functions and notes of chapter 4.1.3, page 15 also
apply here.

16 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
5 Measuring functions –Ambient light
- Select with the left menu button ambient
light (the last stored measuring value
appears in the display).
- Keep the function button pressed down and
select the corresponding sub-function using the
setting wheel. This function is displayed in a
frame .
- Set the desired value using the setting wheel
alone.
5.1 Aperture priority
- Press the measuring button Mto take a
measurement.
- The measured exposure time t appears on the right
digital display. The f-number is automatically adjusted
to the time measured in 1/10 stop increments.
Furthermore, the f-number, which is rounded to 1/2
stop increments, is displayed as a mark on the
analogue scale.
- Other shutter speed/f-stop combinations can be
selected using the setting wheel.
Note:
When preselecting f-stop, the stored values
of the last measurement are displayed in 1/10stop
increments. These are, however, irrelevant, since a
new reading has to be taken.

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
17
5.2 Exposure time priority
- Press the measuring button Mto take a
measurement.
- The measured f/stop appears on the left digital
display (resolution in 1/10 stop increments) and is
marked an the analogue scale, rounded to 1/2 stop
increments.
- Select other paired f/stop-exposure time values with
the setting wheel.
- Instead of the full exposure time values, also ½
time values can be set byactivating DIP switch 2.
5.3 Exposure value
- Press the button Mto measure.
- The measured exposure value EV appears on
the left digital display (resolution in 1/10 stop
increments) and the f/stop is marked additionally
on the analogue scale rounded to 1/2 stops.
- Select other paired f/stop-exposure time values with
the setting wheel.

18 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
5.4 Contrast measuring
in the t and EV functions
Contrast of the subject reflected light
measuring through the viewfinder
- Keep the measuring button Mpressed
and focus on the various areas of the subject to be
measured.
- The first measuring value appears on the left digital
display. It is constantly displayed as a reference value
(e.g. measurement on a grey chart) during the course
of the entire measuring process. The actual
measuring value flashes on the analogue scale.
- After releasing the measuring button M, the
measured subject contrast range appears on the
analogue scale.
Illumination contrast
with flat or spherical dome
-Keep the measuring button Mpressed to measure
the different light sources.
- The first measuring value appears an the left digital
display. It is constantly displayed as a reference
value (e.g. main light source) during the course of the
entire measuring process. The actual measuring
value flashes on the analogue scale.
- After you release the measuring button M, the total
illumination contrast measured appears on the
analogue scale.

Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
19
5.5 Averaging value AVR in the t and EV
functions Reflected light measuring
through the viewfinder
- The first measurement is to be taken with the
measuring button M.
- With the average measuring button AVR you can
measure up to 8 further contrast spots.
The single measuring values are displayed on the
analogue scale (identical measuring values are only
displayed once, but are taken into consideration when
the averaqe is calculated). After each measurement
with AVR, the average of all previous measuring
values is displayed. The average AVR appears on
the left digital display: for EV with f-numbers in 1/10
increments and flashing on the analogue scale,
rounded to 1/2 stop increments. In the middle of the
display, the number of measurements Mis displayed
(4 measurements in the example).
Incident light
with flat or spherical dome
Correspondingly, you can determine the average value
of the illumination of the various lights with the above
mentioned procedure. To do this, you can measure for
example your main, fill-in and background light
individually in the Studio.

20 Gossen Foto- und Lichtmesstechnik GmbH
5.6 Selecting the exposure time values
In addition to the standard full time values, also half
time values (1/2 TV) can be set at some cameras.
For this reason, the STARLITE 2 can also be set
additionally to half time values.
The selection is made activating the DIP 2 switch:
- 1/1 full time values
Exposure times are displayed in 1/1 full time values
or when using the CINE function, in the standard
CINE film speeds.
- 1/2 half time values
Exposure times are displayed in 1/2 half time values.
With this function, additional CINE speeds are
displayed.
DIP 2