DUALMASTER L-558/L-558 Operating Manual Blank page Congratulations on your purchase of a Sekonic DUALMASTER L-558/L-558CINE Exposure Meter The DUALMASTER L-558/L-558CINE is the latest addition to the extensive line of Sekonic Exposure Meters, which have been market leaders for over 50 years. The DUALMASTER was designed to offer more of what today's photographer needs, and less of what they don't. It offers flash and ambient exposure metering in both spot and incident modes. The DUALMASTER is the first multi-function meter to offer a 1-degree (nine element camera-quality) spot that measures reflected flash output as low as f/2.0. Along with its many unique features, the L558 is also capable of wireless flash triggering with an optional radio module. Utilizing rubber seals throughout the housing and controls of the meter, the DualMaster is water and moisture resistant. Although the meter can be used in rainy or wet conditions, it should not be used underwater. The large LCD panel makes reading the data easy and convenient; the panel illuminates automatically in low light surroundings. In order to retain the simple stylish look of the DUALMASTER, less frequently used functions and controls are confined to custom software settings. The DUALMASTER L-558 and L-558CINE is loaded with many features and control options. Since each of these features has a detailed explanation, this instruction booklet is extensive. We recommend that you read the manual to familiarize yourself with the potential of the meter. Once you have established which features and functions are important to you, refer to these sections only. The DUALMASTER has undergone extensive quality control at every step of manufacture. Please read this instruction manual thoroughly, to be able to take advantage of its many features and to obtain the long service life that it was designed to offer you. Thank you for investing in Sekonic. Table of Contents 1. 2. 3. Parts Designation ................................................................................................................ 1 Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) .................................................................. 2-4 Before Using ........................................................................................................................ 5-7 1. Attach the strap ......................................................................................................... 5 2. Inserting the battery ................................................................................................... 5 3. Checking battery capacity ......................................................................................... 5 4. Replacing battery during measurement or when using the memory function .......................................................................... 6 5. Auto Power Off function ............................................................................................. 6 6. Setting main ISO film speed ...................................................................................... 6 7. Setting second ISO film speed (ISO 2) ..................................................................... 6 8. Mode and setting Lock or Lock Off ............................................................................ 7 Basic Operation ................................................................................................................... 8-11 1. Incident or reflected spot measuring ......................................................................... 8 2. Setting measuring mode ........................................................................................... 9 3. When set for incident light ......................................................................................... 10 4. When set for reflected light (spot metering) .............................................................. 11 Measurment ........................................................................................................................ 12-22 1. Measuring Ambient Light ........................................................................................... 12 1-1 Shutter Speed Priority mode ........................................................................... 12 1-2 Aperture Priority mode .................................................................................... 13 1-3 EV mode ......................................................................................................... 14 1-4 Cinematography .............................................................................................. 15 2. Measuring Flash Light ............................................................................................... 17 2-1 Cord Flash mode ............................................................................................. 17 2-2 Auto Reset Cordless Flash mode ................................................................... 18 2-3 Cord Multiple Flash (cumulative) mode ........................................................... 20 2-4 Cordless Multiple Flash (cumulative) mode .................................................... 21 Advanced Functions ............................................................................................................ 23-37 1. Memory function ........................................................................................................ 23 2. Averaging function ..................................................................................................... 24 3. Brightness Difference function ................................................................................... 24 4. How to use an incident Illuminance (LUX or FC) Meter ............................................ 26 5. How to use a reflected luminance (cd/m2 or FL) meter ............................................. 27 6. How to use Exposure compensation function ........................................................... 28 7. How to use Calibration compensation function ......................................................... 29 8. Filter compensation ................................................................................................... 30 9. Flash analyzing function ............................................................................................ 31 10. Custom setting function ............................................................................................. 32 11. Wireless flash radio triggering system ....................................................................... 34 Accessories ........................................................................................................................ 37-38 Technical Data ..................................................................................................................... 39-40 Safety Guide ........................................................................................................................ 41 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Care and Maintenance ........................................................................................................ 42 1. Parts Designation q Lumisphere retracting ring w Lumisphere @4 Spot Lens Protective Glass e Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) @2 Eyepiece (with Diopter Adjustment) u Memory button IC ON SEK r Average / EV (Brightness Difference) button ("A" in radio channel setting) t Jog Wheel !2 Power button (ON/OFF switch) EV E/ AV PO WE R A y ISO 2 button ("c" in radio channel setting) c MEMORY 2 ISO 1 ISO b M.C LE AR d !1 ISO 1 button ("b" in radio channel setting) !0 Mode set button MO DE @3 Memory Clear button ("d" in radio channel setting) i Flash Synchro terminal DU L-5 AL 58 M T AS ER o Strap eyelet @5 Incident/Reflected Spot Selector Dial !080 Synchro Terminal Cap !4 Measuring button !5 Battery Compartment Cover !9 Strap !6 Battery Cover Latch @1 Lens Cap @0 Connector cover !3 RT-32 Radio transmitter module compartment !7 Battery Compartment @6 1/4" Tripod Socket -1- 2. Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display L-558 !0 q w e o i r t u L-558CINE y w e !0 q o i r !1 t NOTE: For explanation purposes, the display illustrated here shows all icons and readouts simultaneously. Actual display will never show as above. Auto Electro-Luminescent Display (EL) · In low light (EV 6 or less), a green backlight will automatically illuminate the entire LCD. · The LCD will not be automatically illuminated during measuring, in Cordless Flash mode or Wireless flash radio triggering mode. · The Electro-luminescent backlight will automatically turn off 20 seconds after last operation. u y -2- 2. Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display Display in viewfinder In setting : i Flash analyzing : r Luminance : / (Only L-558CINE) y t q Measuring Mode Icons Ambient (see page 12) Auto-Reset Cordless Flash (see page 18) Cord Flash (see page 17) Wireless flash radio triggering mode (see page 34) Incident / Reflected Spot Function Icons (see page 8) Appears when in Incident mode Appears when in Reflected Spot mode ISO Display (see page 6) Displays ISO film setting Displays second ISO film setting when ISO 2 button is pressed Flash Analyzing indicator (see page 31) 0 to 100% in 10% increments (percentage of the flash in the total exposure) +/- Compensation Indicator (see page 28) Appears when +/- Compensation is set Digital aperture value, Aperture Priority, EV Brightness Difference, Average function, EV display Appears when in Aperture Priority (f/stop) mode (see page 13) Appears when using brightness difference function (See Page 24) Appears when using Averaging function and brighness difference function (see page 24) Appears when using EV mode (see page 14) Analog Scale Displays marks at apertures or shutter speed indicating full or half stop values (558),or full or 1/3 stop values (558 CINE) for measurement, also displays memory and average values Appears when below display range Blinks when under exposed below measurement range Appears when above display range Blinks when over exposed above measurement range w e r t y u -3- 2. Explanation of the Liquid Crystal Display i Shutter priority indicator, shutter speed display for still photography or frames per second (f/s) for cinematography Appears when Shutter Priority (T) mode (see page 12) Appears when shutter speed is in minutes Appears when shutter speed is in full seconds Appears when cine speed is set in frames per second (see page 15) Appears when shutter angle is set to a value other than 180 degrees (558 CINE)(see page 16) Battery Power Indicator (see page 5) Memory / Multiple Flash Indicator Display Appears when Multi (cumulative) flash measurement mode and shows the cumulated number of measurements (see page 20) Appears when reading is memorized and shows the number in memory (see page 23) Illuminance mark / Luminance mark (558 CINE) Appears when Foot-Candle is selected Appears when Lux is selected Appears when Foot-Lambert is selected Appears when Cd/m2 is selected o !0 !1 -4- 3. Before Using 1. Attach the strap Attach the Strap !9 by passing the small end loop through the eyelet o and passing the other end of strap through it. E OD MO DU AL M AS TE R L- 55 8 WARNING · Please place in a location where an infant cannot reach and accidentally get the strap wrapped around his or her neck. There is danger of strangulation. 2. Inserting the battery 1. Requires one 3.0 v CR123A lithium battery. 2. Open the Battery compartment cover latch !6 , and remove the Battery compartment cover !5. 3. Insert the battery, observing the polarity with the +,- marks in the battery compartment !7. 4. Align the tabs of the Battery compartment cover with the notches in the back of the meter, and press down to close the Battery cover latch. NOTE: · To prevent loss of All-weather seal, be careful that dirt does not get stuck on the rubber seal and that the seal is not damaged. · Remove battery if meter is not used for an extended period. Batteries can leak and damage the exposure meter. Dispose of used batteries properly. · If the LCD does not light, check that the battery capacity is sufficient, and check that the battery positive and negative terminals are not reversed. · The meter has a connector for a plug-in radio transmitter module. Do not remove the connector cover unless you are installing the radio module, failure to do so could cause the electronic circuit board to be exposed to damaging static electricity. 3. Checking battery capacity · When the Power button !2 is ON, the battery power indicator on the LCD is displayed. (Displayed) Battery power level is good. (Displayed) Battery power level is low. Have a spare battery ready. (Blinking) Replace battery immediately. Reference: · We recommend you always have a spare battery on hand. · If the liquid crystal display exti ...