Kenko KCM-3100 Professional Color Temperature Meter
The Kenko (THK Photo Products) KCM-3100 Professional Color Temperature Meter reads both ambient and flash light. In photography, accuracy is what counts. When shooting in any kind of mixed lighting scenario, a good, reliable color temperature meter is the only true and proven way to get accurate readings. In areas such as commercial, fashion and certainly architectural work, a color temperature meter is a "must".
This meter is designed with a minimum of clutter and is very user-friendly. The large LCD readout combined with its variety of features make this meter a top contender.
The KCM-3100 has 3 display modes for displaying color temperature. Each mode is designed for a certain type of photography or filtering system. LB (Light Balancing) index is used to select the necessary amber or blue LB filter; The Mired difference between the specific photographic color temperature for the selected film type and the light source.
CC (Color-Correction) displays the Kodak filter number(s) of the necessary light-balancing filter(s) to make for easy selection of the required light balancing filter. Whereas the LB system uses amber or blue filters, the CC system uses magenta or green color compensating filters.
Finally, it displays photographic color temperature in degrees Kelvin. This is a useful setting to determine filtration based on the light source and the spectral sensitivity of the film used.
Other benefits of this meter are its ability to read in either sync or non-sync mode, i.e. without a cord. It also has an "Analyzer Mode" for measurement of flash lighting only. Setting the shutter speed to "F", the meter will only read light from flash.
Finally, The KCM-3100 has 9 memory channels which can be custom set to specific lighting situations or individual film characteristics. By doing this, you can be pre-set for certain types of film or lighting set-ups.
- Good meter for both still and cine work
- 3 types of displays for balancing light and filtration
- "Analyzer Mode" for measuring flash light
- 9 memory channels for customizing individual preferences
| Measuring System | Three-color hand-held digital color meter for color photography; Determines photographic color temperature of light sources, and filtration required |
| Measuring Modes |
Measuring Range: |
| Receptor Head |
Incident-light reading Incident- flat diffuser Rotating receptor head 90° right/180° left 3 Silicon photocells filtered red, green, blue sensitivities |
| Aperture/Shutter Priority | Aperture and Shutter |
| Display Readout |
LCD type Display Ranges: |
| ISO Range | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| f/Stop Display Range | Flash: f/2.8 to 180 in two ranges |
| Shutter Speed - Ambient | 1/500 sec. to 1 sec. in 1-stop increments |
| Shutter Speed - Flash | 1/500 sec. to 1 sec. (in 1-stop increments) |
| EV Range (ISO-100) | Ambient light: EV 3.0 to 16.3 |
| Cine Speeds | Not Applicable |
| Exposure Memory | 9 channels |
| Shadow/Highlight Calculation | Not Applicable |
| Brightness Difference | Not Applicable |
| Flash to Ambient Ratio | Not Applicable |
| Multiple Flash | Not Specified by Manufacturer |
| Power Source |
Two "AA" Alkaline dry-cell batteries (not included) Operating Temperature Range: 14 to 122°F (-10 to 50°C) |
| Weight | 6.0 oz (200g) without battery |
| Dimensions | 2.75 x 6.7 x 1.1" (70 x 170 x 28mm) (WxHxD) |
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by PowerReviews(based on 2 reviews)
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Reviewed by 2 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-2
Pros
- Accurate
- Easy To Use
- Reliable
Cons
- Expensive
Best Uses
- Arena photography
- Sports Photography
Comments about Kenko KCM-3100 Professional Color Temperature Meter:
I use my Kenko meter for sports photography in arenas. Tired of the color temp of your backgrounds not matching the color temp of the close-up subject? The light fixtures in most arenas have two colors of non-daylight-colored light. Like most non-incandescent lights, they pulse many times per second -- one dominant color and a second that emits as the power falls off before the next pulse. Although easy enough to look up the specs on the bulb/fixture manufacturer's web page, it's often impossible to determine the precise type of bulb used in your locations fixtures, and in any event the wall paint schemes affect the hue. This meter helps me measure the two temps of the ambient lighting, and then gel my arena strobes first to absorb the primary hue missing from the ambient fixtures, and then to gel again to absorb the second hue. The meter is then used again to fire the strobes, and then by changing the shutter speed on the meter with that single reading, it reports both the color of the strobes and the ambient light to help ensure you've got them reasonably matched. It's expensive, but if you invest the time to master it, you can build formulas and gel packs for every arena you shoot. I've even used it on occasion to gel my camera-mounted strobe to match the ambient light.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Accurate
- Compact
Cons
Best Uses
- Film
- Photography
Comments about Kenko KCM-3100 Professional Color Temperature Meter:
Commercial production moves pretty fast at times. Having the Kenko temp meter helps keep me honest in delivering even light balance when needed. The only thing I would change is to put the tables in the LCD and not on the back. All you would need is a selection button. To get really fancy the LCD could be in color and to give you two color samples, previous and corrected. Please pass along to Kenko. Thanks
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- Neck Strap
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- One-Year Warranty
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