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Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter

BH #SEL858DU • MFR #401-858
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Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter
Key Features
  • Incident Metering for Ambient & Flash
  • 1° Spot Metering with Viewfinder
  • Measuring Range: -5 to 22.9 EV (ISO 100)
  • Illuminance Range: 0.1 to 2,000,000 lux
Aiming to provide for the needs of both photographers and filmmakers, the Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter from Sekonic comes packed with a variety of upgraded features and capabilities that make it an almost essential tool for a working professional. It is able to take incident and reflected light readings of both flash and ambient light with an expanded measuring range of -5 to 22.9 EV at ISO 100, or within an illuminance range of 0.1 to 2,000,000 lux. Users will also find it intuitive and easy-to-use thanks to the use of a 2.7" color touchscreen LCD and an all-weather design.
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Sekonic L-858D-U Overview

Aiming to provide for the needs of both photographers and filmmakers, the Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter from Sekonic comes packed with a variety of upgraded features and capabilities that make it an almost essential tool for a working professional. It is able to take incident and reflected light readings of both flash and ambient light with an expanded measuring range of -5 to 22.9 EV at ISO 100, or within an illuminance range of 0.1 to 2,000,000 lux. Users will also find it intuitive and easy-to-use thanks to the use of a 2.7" color touchscreen LCD and an all-weather design.

The meter can use either a 270° rotating and collapsible lumisphere or an integrated 1° spot viewfinder to account for varying needs of the user. Also, it offers an extensive range of cinema and video settings as well as the unique ability to measure flash duration and to take readings when using high-speed sync flash. The L-858D-U is equipped with a variety of other functions as well, including memory recall, a Flash Analyzing Function, and extended ranges on nearly every setting. Additionally, through the use of optional modules, users can add radio triggering support for PocketWizard and Elinchrom/Phottix systems.

Lumisphere receptor head rotates 90° right and 180° left and retracts for conversion to a flat diffuser.
Integrated 1° spot viewfinder with full information display provides a precise method of measuring specific parts of a scene.
Ability to measure flash duration within a range of 1/40 to 1/55,500 second using t0.1 to t0.9 settings.
Improved sensitivity of the L-858D-U allows it to record a reading at just 0.1 lux illuminance as well as use expanded range of -5 to 22.9 EV for incident readings and -1 to 22.4 EV for reflected light. Also, it features an extended ISO range of ISO 3 to ISO 13,107,200 with an option available for ISO 850.
Optional radio modules are available for PocketWizard and Elinchrom/Phottix systems for advanced wireless triggering and remote flash control.
High-Speed Sync support allows photographers to accurately take readings while using HSS with their flashes and cameras.
Flash Analyzing Function measure ambient and flash simultaneously to provide a percentage of flash in the final exposure. Users can then adjust the mix as the display shows camera settings and the relationship between the flash and ambient light in your exposure.
Users can determine the dynamic range of their camera using optional targets by taking bracketed shots with their measurement data and they using the Sekonic Data Transfer Software to graph and then save the information to the meter.
Expanded shutter speed ranges now allow for readings between 1/64,000 second to 30 minutes with ambient light and 1/16,000 second to 30 minutes for flash.
A comprehensive set of cinema modes allows for settings of 1-1000 fps as well as shutter angles of 1-358°. Twenty user determined settings are also available that provide more precise options of 0.001-360° shutter angles and 0.001-99,999.999 fps.
2.7" color touchscreen LCD provides a fast and intuitive method for viewing and changing settings.
Micro-USB port can be used for firmware updates, applying custom settings, and to use exposure profiling.
The L-858D-U features an all-weather construction that is dust and splash proof (JIS Class 4).

Sekonic L-858D-U Specs

Key Specs
Meter Type
Ambient, Cine, Flash, Spot
Spot Metering
1° Spot
Flash Metering
Cordless
Light Reading Method
Incident, Reflected
Light Readings
Candelas per Meter Squared (cd/m²), Foot Lamberts (fl), Footcandle, Lux
Measuring Modes
Aperture Priority, FPS Metering, Flash Duration Analysis, HSS Flash, Shutter Priority
Max Flash Sync Speed
1/16,000
Cine Speed / Shutter Angle
0.001 to 1000 fps at 1 to 358°
Diffuser
Adjustable Spherical to Flat
Display
2.7" / 6.9 cm Color Touchscreen LCD
System Connection
PC Sync Terminal
Micro-USB Port
Battery
2x AA (Alkaline, Manganese)
Radio System
No
Spot Metering
1° Spot
Flash Metering
Cordless
Metering
Light Reading Method
Incident, Reflected
Light Readings
Candelas per Meter Squared (cd/m²), Foot Lamberts (fl), Footcandle, Lux
Measuring Modes
Aperture Priority, FPS Metering, Flash Duration Analysis, HSS Flash, Shutter Priority
Aperture Range
Flash, Incident: f/0.5 to 128.9 at ISO 100
Flash, Reflected: f/1 to 128.9 at ISO 100
f/0.5 to 161.2 (1, 1/2, 1/3-Step Increments) at ISO 100
EV Range
Ambient, Incident: -5 to 22.9 EV at ISO 100
Ambient, Reflected: -1 to 24.4 EV at ISO 100
ISO Range
3 to 13,107,200 (1/3-Step Increments), Plus 850
Shutter Speed Range
1/64,000 to 30 Minutes (1, 1/2, 1/3-Step Increments), Plus 1/400, 1/200
Max Flash Sync Speed
1/16,000
Cine Speed / Shutter Angle
0.001 to 1000 fps at 1 to 358°
Illuminance Range
0.1 to 2,000,000 Lux / 0.01 to 180,000 fc
Luminance Range
0.3 to 290,000 fL / 0.1 to 980,000 cd/m²
Exposure Memory
Yes, 9 Readings
Physical
Receptor Element
Silicon Photodiode
Diffuser
Adjustable Spherical to Flat
Display
2.7" / 6.9 cm Color Touchscreen LCD
System Connection
PC Sync Terminal
Micro-USB Port
Media Card Reader
No
Tripod Mounting Thread
1/4"-20 Female
Environmental
Operating Temperature
14 to 122°F / -10 to 50°C
Operating Humidity
0 to 85%
Storage Temperature
-4 to 140°F / -20 to 60°C
Storage Humidity
0 to 85%
General
Battery
2x AA (Alkaline, Manganese)
Radio System
No
Dimensions
3.7 x 6.9 x 1.9" / 94 x 176 x 49 mm
Weight
8.5 oz / 240.0 g (without Batteries)
Packaging Info
Package Weight
1.395 lb
Box Dimensions (LxWxH)
10.3 x 6.55 x 3.8"

Sekonic L-858D-U Reviews

See any errors on this page? Let us know

Does the screen light up for night use ?? If so, ...

Does the screen light up for night use ?? If so, for how long ?? Jim
Asked by: James W
Yes and can be set for 20-60 seconds.
Answered by: Rob
Date published: 2021-02-10

Is there a PC socket?

Is there a PC socket?
Asked by: Mark
Yes under the blue flap in the lower right corner of the meter
Answered by: Nicholas
Date published: 2020-03-13

The spot meter measures in foot lamberts rather ...

The spot meter measures in foot lamberts rather than foot candles. I have never used foot lamberts before and I am finding conflicting answers to how many foot lamberts 250 foot candles is. I got the meter because I want to work with the zone system following Ansel Adams books. He talks about spot metering in foot candles and knowing that the moon, in Hernandes NM was 250 fc. Can someone point me to an easy conversion tool such as an ios app?
Asked by: Timothy
The Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter can also be set to foot candles. This is mentioned on pages 44 and 69 in the user manual. Please take a look at the following link: https://bhpho.to/2XhpxtV
Answered by: Dan W
Date published: 2021-09-27

Does this have a t-stop mode? When working with ...

Does this have a t-stop mode? When working with cinema lenses that use t stops instead of f stops, how can I use this light meter?
Asked by: James
F/stops are arithmetically calculated based on the lenses physical size. The amount of light coming through the lens is therefore theoretical. This means two different lenses at f/5.6 could be passing different amounts of light. In the days of movie making film, this caused a great deal of problems for movie printmaking where the density of the image would vary greatly between shots. This would take extra time, effort and money to get a consistent print. To eliminate this problem, the 20th Century Fox camera department in the 1930's developed the T or Transmission stop. What they did is measure the amount of light coming through the lens and then set that as the T/stop. Since glass absorbs light, there is a light loss compared to f/stops. All this to say, there are no T/stop meters; they are all f/stop. Just read the meter, set that number on the T/stop ring and enjoy a consistent, lens to lens, exposure.
Answered by: Dennis L
Date published: 2021-01-15

This meter works with profoto b10 plus lights...? ...

This meter works with profoto b10 plus lights...? Thanks
Asked by: Rafael E.
You can use it with a B10, but it will not have direct control of the light.
Answered by: Reuben K
Date published: 2021-03-18

Hi The version L-850D - U, (U for USA) can also ...

Hi The version L-850D - U, (U for USA) can also work in PAL system 25 fps and 1/50 T, or is it only done by the L-850D? BR. Renzo
Asked by: Nicolas
I think he ment sekonic L-858D vs L-858D-U, I'm also very curious about the differences. Couldn't find any answers anywhere.
Answered by: Alberto
Date published: 2021-03-04

Does this work with profoto lights?

Does this work with profoto lights?
Asked by: CHINA
Yes it does, but not the A1, A1X or A10 speedlights by profoto. You will have to buy the module for the meter and a pocket wiizard transmitter/receiver. You place the pocket wizard transmitter in the meter and the pocket wizard transmitter/receiver attaches to the profoto strobe via a cord.
Answered by: Ricco
Date published: 2022-06-26

Luddite question: can the touchscreen actually be ...

Luddite question: can the touchscreen actually be operated with (winter) gloves?
Asked by: Peter
If the gloves work on a smart phone they will work on the meter. I have big fingers a would still need to take the glove off to get the setting I wanted.
Answered by: Dennis
Date published: 2021-09-27
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