Sekonic SPEEDMASTER L-858D User manual

Light Meter
SPEEDMASTER
L-858D
L-858D-U
Operating Manual
Thank you for purchasing our product.
Please read this operating manual so that you will fully understand the features and
operation of this product. Then keep the operating manual in a safe place for future use.
Please see the Startup Guide for information about the basic operations.

Please read this operating manual thoroughly to gain a full understanding of the contents
and ensure safe and correct use of this product.
The SPEEDMASTER L-858D is a photographic light meter with the following
features;
●World's rst*1 HSS (High Speed Sync) ash measurement
●Flash duration measurement
●Multi-brand wireless triggering & control (with optional transmitter)
The multi-function SPEEDMASTER L-858D is the agship of the Sekonic family of
light meters. Offering reected-spot and incident light measurement of ambient and
ash light sources, the L-858D features a host of new functions and operations to
make it the perfect tool for all light measurement needs.
The color touch-screen panel is the control center of the ergonomic, rubber-
cushioned body. Weatherproong seals enable using the L-858D in all shooting
conditions. Increased sensitivity and wide measuring range provide the high level of
accuracy demanded for today's digital imaging.
Using the Sekonic-developed Data Transfer Software*2 enables mapping your
camera's exposure prole and tuning the L-858D to your shooting style. Up to 10
Exposure Proles*3 can be stored in the meter and called up anytime you need
them. Precision tuning of the L-858D enables instant check scene and subject
brightness against dynamic range of your camera for the very best exposure
decisions. The Data Transfer Software also allows customizing the L-858D to your
operating preferences.
*1 World's rst as a hand-held light meter (As of September, 2016, Investigated by SEKONIC.)
*2 Download the Data Transfer Software from www.sekonic.com, and install it on your
computer.
URL: www.sekonic.com/support/downloads/dtssoftwareformacandwindows.aspx
To use this software, connect your computer to the L-858D using a USB cable (micro-B
type, available commercially).
*3 An exposure prole contains information that indicates each characteristic feature (exposure
compensation amount between the camera and light meter, clipping point, and dynamic
range) of the digital camera you are using. To create the exposure prole, it is necessary to
do shooting in advance, and use the Data Transfer Software.
©2017 All Rights Reserved.

i
■Terms and Trademarks
●Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
●The ofcial name of Windows is "Microsoft®Windows® Operating System".
●Macintosh and Mac OS are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. in the
United States and/or other countries.
●Adobe Reader is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems Inc.
●Elinchrom is the registered trademark of Elinchrom SA.
●Phottix®is the registered trademark and Strato™ is the trademark of Phottix Hong
Kong Ltd.
NOTICE
●The reproduction of all or any part of this document without permission is strictly
forbidden.
●The product concerned and/or this manual may be subject to changes without prior
notication
●The screens in this operating manual may differ from the actual displays of the meter you
are using. (Colors, letters, etc.)

ii
■Safety Precautions
Before using this product, please read this "Safety Precautions" for proper operation.
WARNING
The WARNING symbol indicates the possibility of death or serious
injury if the product is not used properly.
CAUTION
The CAUTION symbol indicates the possibility of minor to moderate
personal injury or product damage if the product is not used properly.
NOTICE The NOTICE symbol indicates cautions or restrictions when using the
product. Please read all notes to avoid errors in operation.
NOTE
The reference symbol indicates additional information about the
controls or related functions.
Reading these is recommended.
The arrow indicates reference pages.
WARNING
●Infants or toddlers may accidentally wrap the strap around their neck,
so please place it in a location out of their reach. There is a danger of
suffocation.
●Infants or toddlers may accidentally swallow the lens cap, so please place it
in a location out of their reach. There is a danger of suffocation.
●Do not look directly at the sun or an intense light source via the viewnder.
Doing so may damage your eyesight.
●Do not place batteries in open ames, attempt to short, disassemble or
apply heat to them, use unspecied batteries, or recharge them (except
rechargeable batteries). They may burst and cause res, serious injury, or
damage to the environment.
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) cable and cord notice
●Handling the cord on this product or cords associated with accessories sold
with this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of
California to cause cancer, and birth defects or other reproductive harm.
Wash hands after handling.

iii
CAUTION
●Do not handle this product with wet hands, or leave it in the rain or in a
location where it may be splashed with water, submerged, or come into
contact with moisture. There is a danger of electric shock if the "Cord Flash
Mode" is used. This may also result in damage to the product.
●Make sure the Synchro terminal cover cand USB connector cover aare
rmly in place when not using the meter in Cord Flash Mode or it is not
connected to a computer. If not sealed by the covers, the meter is no longer
water-resistant and moisture could damage the circuitry of the meter.
●Do not under any circumstances remodel or disassemble this product for
modication or part replacement purposes. Refer any servicing to qualied
and authorized personnel if the product has malfunctioned. Otherwise,
measuring results may be affected and/or the product may be damaged.
●Gently tap the meter's LED panel when changing modes or making
selections. Using pointed pens or pencils may scratch the LCD screen or
damage the product.
●Infants or toddlers may accidentally grab the strap and swing the product, so
please place it in a location out of their reach, as the meter may be damaged
by impacts.
●Be careful that the neck strap does not come loose when carrying the
product, as the meter may be damaged when dropped.
●This neck strap is made of polyester ber.
Please refrain from using the product if synthetic bers cause your skin
to become irritated, inamed or itchy in order to prevent worsening your
symptoms.

iv
NOTICE
●A protective sheet is attached to the LCD. Peel it off before use.
●Although the LCD monitor is manufactured to very high standards, it is possible to
observe a few dead pixels on the screen. This is normal and not a malfunction of the
meter.
●Do not use at altitudes above 2,000m (6,561 feet).
●Our company shall not be liable for any data loss caused by, but not limited to, malicious
acts and control errors.
●Be sure not to drop the meter or subject it to sudden impacts, as the meter will be
damaged.
●Do not store the meter in areas of high temperature of high humidity, as the meter will be
damaged.
●Be careful not to transport the meter from cold to warm moist conditions as condensation
will form on the meter and may damage it.
●If the meter is operated in temperatures below -10°C, the response of the LCD will
greatly slow down and the display may be difcult to view and read. This will not harm
the meter. Also, if the temperature exceeds 50°C, the liquid crystal display will darken
and become difcult to read, but when it returns to room temperature it will return to its
normal condition.
●If the meter is left in direct sunlight, a vehicle, or near a heater, the unit's temperature will
rise and may result in damage. Please be careful when using the meter in these types of
locations.
●If the meter is left where corrosive gases may be generated, the gases may affect the
product and may result in damage. Please be careful when using the meter in these
types of locations.
●In case of disposing the meter, follow the rules of disposal in your area.
Maintenance Notes
●Be careful not to let the Light Receptor become dusty, dirty, or scratched as this may
affect the precision of the measurement.
●If the meter becomes dirty, wipe it with a dry, soft cloth. Never use organic solvents such
as thinner or benzine.
NOTE
●For used batteries, dispose of them according to the rules of your area, or bring them to
a battery recycling shop near you.
●Insulate plus and minus terminals with tape or other insulation material.
●Do not disassemble the batteries.

v
■Intended Usage
The meter is designed for:
●Measurement of articial light sources or natural light for photo, video, or movie
●Display of latitude (dynamic range) from the shadow to the highlight of a digital
camera
●Measurement of the ash high-speed synchro exposure or ash duration time for
diversifying ash shooting
●Flash unit triggering and power control functions with the transmitter (sold
separately)
●High-level measurement accuracy and a wide measurement range in all shooting
situations from outdoor to indoor with all weather design
■Features of the L-858D
[Basic functions and performance]
1 Model with incident light and reected light (spot photometry 1 degree) systems
2One-touch switching between extended lumisphere and retracted lumisphere (Light
receiving part up-down mechanism)
3 Flash Analyzing Function which provides the percentage of ash in total exposure as
well as ambient and ash components.
4 Exposure Prole Function (using the Data Transfer Software application software)
5 Simplied luminance measurement (cd/m2,Foot-lambert) and simplied illuminance
measurement (Lux, Foot-candle)
[New functions and performance]
1 2.7-inch liquid-crystal color touch panel
The operability is enhanced by assigning frequently used functions to Function Buttons
at the bottom of the screen.
2 Flash duration analysis (1/40 to 1/55,500 sec., t0.1 to t0.9, which can be changed in
0.1 steps)
3Exposure measurement in HSS (High Speed Synchro) Mode
4Improvement of lower light measurement performance (from -5 EV in incident light
measuring, from -1 EV in reected light measuring) (based on ISO100).
5Flash units triggering and power control functions with multi-brands of the transmitter
(sold separately)
6
Enhancement of video/cine functions such as frame rate setting (1 to 1,000 f/s), shutter
angle setting (1 to 358 degrees), and lter compensation is possible. (+/-12 EV value,
or select the desired option from the registered lter names.)

vi
■Intended Users
The intended users of this product are the following.
Those working in the areas of photography, lming, etc. such as photographers,
videographers, and movie camera operators, gaffers, and cinematographers
■Restrictions
There are some cautions and restrictions regarding the use of this product.
Please read and understand the following before using the meter.
NOTE
●The contents of this manual may be subject to change for the product's specication
modications and other reasons without prior notice.
We recommend that you download the latest operating manual from our website and use
this product.
URL: www.sekonic.com/support/instructionmanualuserguidedownload.aspx
●The safety-related precautions such as "Safety Guide and Maintenance" and "Safety
Precautions" conform to the legal and industry standards that were applicable at the time
this operating manual was created. Therefore, this manual may not contain the latest
information. If you are using the previous operating manual, please download and refer
to the latest operating manual.
●The product may contain printing materials such as cautions related to safety and/or
printing errors as a supplement to the operating manual.
●The contents of this operating manual may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes
and for personal use only. However, the reproduced material must contain the copyright
notice of our company.
●The screens in this operating manual may differ from the actual displays of the meter you
are using. (Colors, letters, etc.)

vii
■Accompanying Accessories
The following items are included with the meter in the package. Please be sure to check
that all noted items are included.
* If any items are missing, please contact the distributor or the reseller you purchased the
meter from.
* The USB cable (that has the A connector and Micro-B connector) is not included in the
package. Please obtain this separately.
* Batteries (two AA) are not included in the package. Please obtain these separately.
Meter Lens cap
(Attached to the meter)
Soft case
Anti-glare sheet for LCD screen Strap
Startup Guide Safety Precaution
Safety Precaution
For Proper Operation
Before using this product, please read this "Safety Precautions" for
proper operation.
WARNING
The WARNING symbol indicates the
possibility of death or serious injury if the
product is not used properly.
CAUTION
The CAUTION symbol indicates the
possibility of minor to moderate personal
injury or product damage if the product is
not used properly.
NOTICE
The NOTICE symbol indicates cautions
or restrictions when using the product.
Please read all notes to avoid errors in
operation.
General Safety Information
• Read the Operating Manual before use.
• Keep the Operating Manual on hand for reference at any
time.
• Stop using this product when there are any abnormalities.
• The modication or disassembly of this product is prohibited.
• Do not attempt to repair this product by yourself.
• This product is intended only for persons with expert
knowledge.
• Monitor children so that they do not touch this product.
• Use this product in a usage environment described in the
Operating Manual.
• This product is not waterproof.
WARNING
There is a danger of electrical shock when using high
voltage strobes.
Avoid contacting the terminals.
This product emits electromagnetic waves.
Do not bring this product close to persons with
pacemakers.
Do not use this product in an explosive atmosphere.
Use of devices emitting electromagnetic waves is
prohibited in hospitals.
CAUTION
• Check the material of the neck strap to see if there is any
risk of allergy.
• Be careful of sudden emission of lights from strobes.
NOTICE
• Do not leave this product on car dashboards in hot weather.
This may damage the product.
• Remove the batteries when this product is not in use for a
long period of time.
• When the desired performance is not achieved, stop using
this product and contact the service center.
Information for Users on Collection and
Disposal of Old Equipment
To protect environment, do not through this device
and batteries away with the normal household waste
at the end of those life, but bring them in at an
ofcial collection point of your country for recycling.
English

viii
1. Names and Functions of Parts ................................................................................................. 1
1-1 Names of Parts ......................................................................................................................... 1
1-2 Functions of Parts .................................................................................................................... 2
2. Before Use................................................................................................................................................ 3
2-1 Attaching the Strap .................................................................................................................. 3
2-2 Inserting the Batteries ............................................................................................................. 4
2-3 Power ON/OFF ......................................................................................................................... 5
2-4 Auto Power Off Function......................................................................................................... 7
2-5 Checking the Battery Capacity .............................................................................................. 8
2-6 Replacing Batteries.................................................................................................................. 8
3. Screen Operations.............................................................................................................................. 9
3-1 Basic Operations ...................................................................................................................... 9
3-2 Locking and Unlocking the Screen .................................................................................... 13
3-3 Screen Transition ................................................................................................................... 14
3-4 Screen Display........................................................................................................................ 15
3-4-1 Measuring Screen.................................................................................................................. 15
3-4-2 Measuring Operation/Display Area..................................................................................... 18
3-4-3 USB Connection Screen....................................................................................................... 23
3-4-4 Viewnder Display.................................................................................................................. 24
3-4-5 Tool Box Screen ..................................................................................................................... 26
3-4-6 Menu Screen........................................................................................................................... 29
Table of Contents
■Terms and Trademarks ...............................................................................................................................i
■Safety Precautions.......................................................................................................................................ii
WARNING ....................................................................................................................................................ii
CAUTION ....................................................................................................................................................iii
NOTICE .............................................................................................................................................................iv
■Intended Usage.............................................................................................................................................v
■Features of the L-858D ..............................................................................................................................v
■Intended Users .............................................................................................................................................vi
■Restrictions.....................................................................................................................................................vi
■Accompanying Accessories ...................................................................................................................vii