Sekonic STUDIO DELUXE? L-398A User manual

STUDIO DELUXE Ⅲ
L-398A
Operating Instructions

This manual uses the following safety labels for WARNING and
CAUTION that you must follow.
Indicates hazards or unsafe practices that can re-
sult in severe personal injury or death.
Indicates hazards or unsafe practices that can re-
sult in the personal injury or damage to your L-398A
exposure meter.
•Keep Lumisphere, Lumidisc, Lumigrid or High-
slide out of reach of young children, as swal-
lowing such objects can cause suffocation.
•Please place in a location where an infant can-
not reach and accidentally get the strap
wrapped around his or her neck. There is a
danger of strangulation.
•This L-398A has a powerful magnet. Do not
place it close to the following materials, other-
wise the data stored may be damaged or the
products may malfunction:
Cash cards, floppy disc, other magnetic cards,
TV Set, CRT display or LCD, and other appa-
ratus sensitive to magnetic fields.
SAFETY PRECAUTION
CAUTION
CAUTION
WARNING
WARNING

SAFETY PRECAUTION
CONTENTS
1. Features …………………………………………………… 1
2. Specifications ……………………………………………… 3
3. Part Designations …………………………………………… 4
4. Accessories ………………………………………………… 5
5. Basic Operation of Meter Unit …………………………… 6
1. Stopper Button Operation …………………………… 6
2. Zero Position Check and Adjustment ……………… 6
3. Memo Pointer Operation ……………………………… 7
6. Standard Accessory Operation …………………………… 8
Incident Light Measurement ……………………………… 8
1. Lumisphere …………………………………………… 8
2. Lumidisc …………………………………………… 11
Reflected Light Measurement ………………………… 12
1. Lumigrid ……………………………………………… 12
Other Operations ………………………………………… 14
1. Exposure Value (EV numbers) Readout ………… 14
2. Employing Cine Scale ……………………………… 14
3. Using Exposure Multipliers (-2, -1, +1, +2) ……… 15
7. Optional Accessories Operation ……………………… 16
1. Direct Reading Slides ……………………………… 16
2. Direct Reading Slide Application ………………… 17
8. Handling Cautions ……………………………………… 18
CONTENTS

1
Nearly all photographic subjects combine complex variations of
strongly reflecting surfaces (high reflectivity) and weakly reflecting
surfaces (low reflectivity). These variations delicately influence expo-
sure determination and to which portion the exposure is set becomes
a vital factor that considerably affects the appearance of the finished
photograph.
Although risk of failure can be minimized by taking maximum and
minimum readings of all portions of the subject, then averaging the
values, such an approach is both time consuming and tedious. The
Studio Deluxe Ⅲis the answer to this problem.
1. Optimum exposure meter for incident light measuring method (also
applicable for reflected light method.)
2. Freely rotatable light sensor section for very easily performed
measurements.
3. Meter stopper mechanism allows operation while hand is released
from meter.
4. Meter release mechanism is also included which allows the needle
to deflect freely. This provides greater convenience when deter-
mining light balance.
5. Memo pointer enables easier light balance setting.
6. Lumisphere detects the same light as strikes the subject. Since
subjects are normally 3-dimensional, according to the lighting con-
ditions, brighter surfaces (highlights) and darker surfaces (shad-
ows) are produced (illumination contrast). The Studio Deluxe Ⅲ
mechanism automatically takes into account the strength of light
from all directions, causing the meter to indicate a value appli-
cable to photography. It is thus most convenient for determining
typical exposures.
7. After combining film sensitivity and shutter speed, direct reading
slides (optional) can be used for directly determining the aperture
valve.
8. AMORPHOUS PHOTOSENSOR is employed as light sensing
element, eliminating need for battery.
9. Wide selection of available accessories allows numerous photo-
graphic techniques to be enjoyed.
1. FEATURES

2
2
11.4
051020
2.8
40 80
4
8
320
16
640
1.25K
5.6
INCIDENT
LIGHT
160
•Your L-398A has a powerful magnet. Do not
place your L-398A close to the following
materials, otherwise the data stored may
be damaged or the product may malfunc-
tion: Cash cards and other magnetic cards,
floppy disk, TV Set, CRT display, and other
apparatus sensitive to magnetic fields.
Caution:
AMORPHOUS PHOTOSENSOR
BACK LIGHT
MAIN LIGHT
LUMISPHERE
FILL-IN LIGHT
MAGNET
MICROAMMETER
1. FEATURES

3
Analog exposure meter for ambient light
Incident light and reflected light
Incident light: Lumisphere and Lumidisc
Reflected light: Lumigrid (30 deg. of light
receiving angle )
Incident light: EV4 to 17
Reflected light: EV9 to 17
ISO 6 to 12,000 (in 1/3 step)
60 sec. to 1/8000 sec. (in full step)
F0.7 to F128 (in 1/3 step)
8, 18, 24, 64, 128
EV1 to 20 (in 1/3 step)
Incident light: C=340 (Lumisphere),
C=250 (Lumidisc)
Reflected light: K=12.5
0℃to 40℃
-20℃to 60℃
112(H) ×58(W) ×34(D) mm
Approx. 190g
2. SPECIFICATIONS
Type
Light receiving method
Light receiving section
Measuring range
(ISO 100)
Film speed
Shutter speed
Aperture value
Cine speed (f/s)
EV (Exposure Value)
Calibration Constant
Operating temperature range
Storage temperature range
Dimensions
Weight
Note: Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

4
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
0
･
･
1
1
･
･
1
2
E
V
S
t
u
d
i
o
D
e
l
u
x
e
Ⅲ
L-398A
1
.
2
5
k
6
4
0
3
2
0
1
6
0
8
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
5
0
2
28
4
56
8
11
16
11.4
60
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
8
15
30
60
125
250
500
1
k
1/SEC
8
k
4
k
4
2
k
100
50
200
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
128
90
64
45
32
22
16
11
8
5.6
2.8
4
2
1
0.7
F
1.4
H
3. PART DESIGNATIONS
Front
Rear
Footcandle scalee
EV scalet
Dial ring!6
Scale marki
Stopper button!3
Stopper
button mark!9
“H” marko
EV marky
Film sensitivity
selector knob@0
Memo
pointer!7
Needle!8
ISO mark!1
Strap eyelet@5
Dial scaleu
Lumispherq
Light sensorw
Aperture value
(for direct reading)r
ISO scale!0
Cine scale!2
Aperture scale!5
Zero adjust screw@1
Shutter speed scale!4
Meter
scale
Dial
scale

5
Total of 11 direct reading slides
(set of 11 slides in case).
•Keep Lumisphere, Lumidisc, Lumigrid or
High-slide out of reach of young children,
as swallowing such objects can cause suf-
focation.
Warning
4. Accessories
No. 5
HIGH
Lumisphereq
Lumidisc@3
Lumigrid@4
High (H) slide@2
Optional Accessories
(sold separately)
Direct reading slides.

6
5. BASIC OPERATION OF METER UNIT
1.Stopper Button Operation
If the stopper button !3 is pressed
when the stopper button mark !9
is set to ○, the meter needle !8
deflects according to brightness.
Then when the button is released,
the needle remains fixed at the
indicated position.
By holding the stopper button de-
pressed and turning it clockwise
so that the mark position becomes
○, the needle is released.
At this time, the meter will deflect
freely even if the stopper button
is released. To fix the needle, turn
the stopper button counter-clock-
wise to where the mark is posi-
tioned ○.
2.Zero Position Check and
Adjustment
With stopper button in released ○
position, cover light sensor with
hand or black cloth to completely
block light. Check that meter
needle !8 correctly indicates zero
position. If the indication deviates
from zero, while observing meter
indication, use a coin or similar
tool to turn the rear zero adjust
screw @1 and adjust for zero indi-
cation.
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
0
･
･
1
1
･
･
1
2
E
V
S
e
1
.
2
5
k
5
0
2
11
16
11.4
100
50
200
60
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
60
12
5
250
500
1
k
1/SEC
8k
4
k
2
k
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
128
90
64
8
2
1
0.7
F
1.4
H
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
0
･
･
1
1
･
･
1
2
E
V
S
e
1
.
2
5
k
5
0
2
11
16
11.4
100
50
200
60
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
60
12
5
250
500
1
k
1/SEC
8k
4
k
2k
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
128
90
64
8
2
1
0.7
F
1.4
H
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
0
･
･
1
1
･
･
1
2
E
V
S
t
u
d
i
o
D
e
l
u
x
e
Ⅲ
L-398A
1
.
2
5
k
6
4
0
3
2
0
1
6
0
8
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
5
0
2
28
4
56
8
11
16
11.4
60
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
8
15
3
0
60
125
250
500
1
k
1/SEC
8
k
4
k
4
2
k
100
50
200
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
128
90
64
45
3
2.8
4
2
1
0.7
F
1.4
H
・
・
・
・
Black cloth

7
5. BASIC OPERATION OF METER UNIT
Dial
3.Memo Pointer Operation
Rotate both Dial Ring !6 and dial
of Memo Pointer !7 to align with
Needle !8 position or desirable
setting position.
※See page 11 for actual use.
Memo Pointer

8
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
100
50
200
6
0
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
0
60
1
25
250
500
1
k
1
8
k
4
k
4
2
k
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
90
64
2.8
2
Incident Light Measurement
1. Lumisphere
a. Mount Lumisphere qto light
sensor w. To mount, align
white dots of Lumisphere
frame and light sensor, then
turn Lumisphere carefully
clockwise (approx. 45 deg.)to
secure.
b. Set film sensitivity knob @0 to
sensitivity value of employed
film. Set ISO value to right
side ISO mark !1.
Photo shows setting for ISO
100.
c. From position where subject
is to be measured, point
Lumisphere qin direction of
camera. (Light sensor wcan
be turned freely.)

9
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
H
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
S
t
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d
i
o
D
e
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u
x
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Ⅲ
1
.
2
5
k
6
4
0
3
2
0
1
6
0
8
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
5
0
2
28
4
56
8
11
16
11.4
L-398A
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
7
･
･
8
･
･
9
E
V
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1
.
2
5
k
4
0
2
1
0
5
0
2
2
11
16
11.4
100
50
200
60
30
15
1/SEC
8
k
4
k
2
k
IS
O
NE
128
90
64
H
d. Hold meter erect and press stopper button !3. Meter needle !8
deflects according to brightness. When the stopper button is re-
leased, the meter needle becomes fixed at the deflected position.
If the location is excessively bright and the meter needle deflects
beyond scale, insert the High slide @2.
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
2
･
･
1
3
･
･
1
4
E
V
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t
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d
i
o
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x
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1
.
2
5
k
6
4
0
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
5
0
2
28
4
56
8
11
16
11.4
100
50
200
60
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
8
15
30
60
125
250
500
1
k
1/SEC
8
k
4k
4
2
k
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
128
90
64
45
32
22
16
11
8
5.6
2.8
4
2
1
0.7
F
1.4
H
e. Read the footcandle scale e
of the meter needle.
f. Transfer footcandle value to
the dial scale u. Rotate the
dial ring !6 and set the ▲
scale mark i. If the High slide
@2 has been inserted, set the
mark o.
▲
H

10
g. At this time, the shutter speed scale !4 and aperture scale !5
combination becomes the correct exposure.
Example:With High slide inserted, meter indicates 80 footcancles.
At ISO 100, the proper exposure becomes 1/250 sec at F/
5.6, 1/30 sec at F/16 and 1 sec at F/90.
h. By changing ISO setting, the set combination of shutter speed
and aperture scale is automatically altered to the appropriate one
corresponding to the changed ISO value.
※Meter scale intermediate values
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
Footcandles
1
.
2
5
k
6
4
0
3
2
0
1
6
0
8
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
5
0
2
28
4
56
8
11
16
11.4
2
4
6
128
16
25
50
64
100
125
200
250
400
500
800
1k
2.8
4
2
1
2
810
15
30
25
60
50
125
100
200
400
800
250
500
1k
1.6k
1/SEC
8k
4k
45
2k
128
112 110
80 72
56
50
40
36
28
25
20
18
14
13
10
9
6.4
7.1
5
3.6
2.5
1.8
1.3
0.8
4.5
3.2
2.2
1.6
1.1
0.9
90
64
45
32
22
16
11
8
5.6
2.8
4
2
1
0.7F
1.4
6
8
10
16
20
32
40
64
80
125
160
250
320
500
640
1k
1.2k
2.5k
2k
4k
5k
8k
10k
12
25
50
100
200
400
800
1.6k
3.2k
6.4k
12k
ISO
※Film sensitivity intermediate
values
※Intermediate values for
Shutter speed and ap-
erture scale

11
2.Lumidisc
Employ for illumination contrast adjustment and illuminance measure-
ment.
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
Main light
Fill-in light
•Contrast measurement
a. Mount Lumidisc @3 to light
sensor w. Install in the same
manner as Lumisphere. (See
P. 8)
b. Hold meter at subject position
and point Lumidisc @3 directly
toward center of main light.
c. Press stopper button !3 and
read meter scale footcandle
indication e.
d. Turn the memo pointer dial
and set the memo pointer !7
at the footcandle value the
needle points to.
e. In the same manner, measure
the fill-in light. In this case,
take care that light from main
source does not enter sensor.
f. Read a difference between
the footcandle value the
memo pointer is set (see
above d) and the one for fill-
in light (= needle position).
Ratio between main and fill-in light footcandles becomes the con-
trast ratio.
Example:With main light at 640 footcandles, fill-in light reads 320 foot-
candles. Illumination contrast ratio becomes;
640 2
320 1 or 2 : 1
=

12
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
•Illuminance (Lux) measurement
a. Mount Limidisc @3 to light sensor win the same manner as
Lumisphere.
b. Place Lumidisc @3 parallel with the light source.
c. Press stopper button !3 and read meter scale footcandle indica-
tion e.
d. Multiply this value by 10.76 to obtain lux.
Example:80 x 10.76 = 860.8 lux
If meter deflects beyond scale, insert High slide @2, then
multiply footcandle indication by 32.
Example:80 x 32 = 2560 footcandles
2560 x 10.76 = 27545.6 lux
Reflected Light Measurement
1.Lumigrid
a. Mount Lumigrid to light
sensor win the same man-
ner as Lumisphere q. (See
P.8)
b. Set sensitivity value of em-
ployed film. Setting is per-
formed in the same manner
as for incident light measure-
ment. (See P.8)
c. From camera position, point
Lumigrid @4 directly toward
part of subject to be mea-
sured.
d. In case of measuring narrow
areas, as close as possible to
the subject, measure re-
flected light from main point
of subject. Use adequate care
at this time that meter shadow
etc. does not interfere.
@4

13
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
e. Press stopper button !3, and read meter scale footcandle indica-
tion e. However, since footcandles are units of incident light only,
this value becomes simply a reference.
f. Transfer indicated value to dial scale u. Rotate the dial ring !6
and set mark o.
g. At this time, shutter speed scale !4 and aperture scale !5 combi-
nation becomes the correct exposure.
Note:Do not employ slides for reflected light measurement.
※More accurate results can be obtained for reflected light mea-
surement by using a Gray card (optional accessory).
▲
H

14
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
Other Operations
1.Exposure Value (EV number) Readout
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
7
･
･
8
･
･
9
E
V
S
t
u
d
i
o
D
e
l
u
x
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Ⅲ
1
.
2
5
k
6
4
0
3
2
0
1
6
0
8
0
4
0
2
0
1
0
5
0
2
28
4
56
8
11
16
11.4
100
50
200
60
30
15
8
4
2
1
2
60
12
5
250
500
1
k
1/SEC
8
k
4
k
2k
ISO
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
128
90
64
45
32
22
1
0.7
F
L-398A
H
Reading this exposure value to
perform setting becomes conve-
nient for cameras which employ
a light value system of shutter and
aperture combination.
a. Read meter needle !8 foot-
candle indication e.
b. Transfer this number to the
dial scale u. Rotate dial ring
!6 and set ▲scale mark i.
If the High slide is inserted, set
the mark o.
c. EV value indicated by EV
mark ybecomes the correct
exposure value.
2
8
15
30
60
125
250
500
1
k
4
k
4
2
k
8
18
24
64
128
CINE
2
16
11
8
5
.6
2.8
4
2
1
0.
7
1.4
2.Employing Cine Scale
Incident and reflected light mea-
surements during cine photogra-
phy are performed in the same
manner as described previously.
However, since the cine scale !2
numerals correspond to cine cam-
era film speed, read the aperture
scale !5 indication that pertains to
the employed film speed.
▲
H

15
6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION
3.Using Exposure Multipliers (-2, -1, +1, +2)
Exposure multiplier indications are provided at both sides of the
and ▲marks of the dial scale. Use the -1 or -2 mark when desiring to
cut the exposure to 1/2 of 1/4 and +1 or +2 mark to multiply the expo-
sure by 2 or 4.
Set the appropriate mark, instead of the or ▲mark, to the dial
scale value.
T = 360×R
θ R = Frames exposed in 1 second
T = Exposure time
= Shutter angle
θ
5
1
0
2
0
4
0
8
0
1
6
0
3
2
0
6
4
0
1
.
2
5
k
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
-
2
-
1
+
1
+
2
0
･
･
1
1
･
･
1
2
E
V
6
1/SEC
k
H
-2 -1
+1
+2
-2
-1
+1 +2
Note: Some cine cameras possess faster exposure times due to a
narrower rotating shutter angle (angle of light transmitting portion). It
is important to know the accurate shutter angle value versus cine
speed for your camera in order to determine proper exposure. Refer
to the camera operating instructions, maker’s catalogue, etc. for shut-
ter angle information.
Shutter angle and exposure calculation:
▲
H
▲
H

16
1.Direct Reading Slides
A total of 11 slides are available, all of which may be used together
with the Lumisphere and Lumidisc. (Note that they cannot be used
with Limigrid.) The High slide, as mentioned previously, is employed
for varying the measuring range in 2 steps (high and low illumination),
however, it can also be used for direct reading.
7. Optional Accessories Operation
Note:
•HIGH slide can be used as a part of direct reading slide.
•One set of slides consists of slide numbers 1 to 11 in a case.
HIGH slide is standard accessory and not included in the slide
set, though there is a space to store it in the case of slide set.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
HIGH
ISO
64
50
40
32
25
20
16
ISO
125
100
80
64
50
40
32
25
20
16
ISO
160
125
100
80
64
50
40
32
25
20
12
ISO
200
160
125
100
80
64
50
40
32
25
16
ISO
250
200
160
125
100
80
64
50
40
32
20
12
400
320
250
200
160
125
100
80
64
40
25
400
320
250
200
160
125
80
50
400
320
250
160
100
Slide No.
Shutter
speed
1
15
1
30
1
40
1
50
1
60
1
125
1
250
1
500