STUDIO DELUXEⅢL-398A

Operating Instructions

This manual uses the following safety labels for WARNING andCAUTION 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-398Aexposure 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 strapwrapped around his or her neck. There is adanger of strangulation.

• This L-398A has a powerful magnet. Do notplace it close to the following materials, other-wise the data stored may be damaged or theproducts 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 ofstrongly reflecting surfaces (high reflectivity) and weakly reflectingsurfaces (low reflectivity). These variations delicately influence expo-sure determination and to which portion the exposure is set becomesa vital factor that considerably affects the appearance of the finishedphotograph.Although risk of failure can be minimized by taking maximum andminimum readings of all portions of the subject, then averaging thevalues, such an approach is both time consuming and tedious. TheStudio Deluxe Ⅲ is 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 Ⅲmechanism automatically takes into account the strength of lightfrom all directions, causing the meter to indicate a value appli-cable to photography. It is thus most convenient for determiningtypical exposures.

7. After combining film sensitivity and shutter speed, direct readingslides (optional) can be used for directly determining the aperturevalve.

8. AMORPHOUS PHOTOSENSOR is employed as light sensingelement, eliminating need for battery.

9. Wide selection of available accessories allows numerous photo-graphic techniques to be enjoyed.

1. FEATURES

2

211

.4051

020

2.8

4080

4 8

320

16640

1.25K

5.6

INCIDENTLIGHT

160

• Your L-398A has a powerful magnet. Do notplace your L-398A close to the followingmaterials, otherwise the data stored maybe damaged or the product may malfunc-tion: Cash cards and other magnetic cards,floppy disk, TV Set, CRT display, and otherapparatus 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. SPECIFICATIONSType

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

510

2040 80

160 320 640 1.25k

-2-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1

+20･･11･･

12 EV

Studio DeluxeⅢ

L-398A

1.25k

640

32016080

40201050 2

284 56 8

11

1611.4

603015

84

21

28 15 30 6

0125 2

50500

1k1/S

EC

8k4k

4

2k

10050

200

ISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E12890

64

45 32 22 16 11 8 5.6

2.8

4

21

0.7F

1.4

H

3. PART DESIGNATIONSFront

Rear

Footcandle scalee

EV scalet

Dial ring!6

Scale marki

Stopper button!3Stopperbutton mark!9

“H” marko

EV marky

Film sensitivityselector knob@0

Memopointer!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

Meterscale

Dialscale

5

Total of 11 direct reading slides(set of 11 slides in case).

• Keep Lumisphere, Lumidisc, Lumigrid orHigh-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 UNIT1.Stopper Button OperationIf the stopper button !3 is pressedwhen the stopper button mark !9is set to ○ , the meter needle !8deflects according to brightness.Then when the button is released,the needle remains fixed at theindicated position.By holding the stopper button de-pressed and turning it clockwiseso that the mark position becomes○ , the needle is released.At this time, the meter will deflectfreely even if the stopper buttonis released. To fix the needle, turnthe stopper button counter-clock-wise to where the mark is posi-tioned ○ .

2.Zero Position Check and AdjustmentWith stopper button in released ○position, cover light sensor withhand or black cloth to completelyblock light. Check that meterneedle !8 correctly indicates zeroposition. If the indication deviatesfrom zero, while observing meterindication, use a coin or similartool to turn the rear zero adjustscrew @1 and adjust for zero indi-cation.

510

2040 80

160 320 640 1.25k

-2-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1+20･･

11･･12 EV

S e 1.25k50 2 11

1611.4

10050

200

603015

84

21

2 60125 2

50500

1k1/S

EC

8k4k

2kISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E12890

64 82

10.7

F1.4

H

510

2040 80

160 320 640 1.25k

-2-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1

+20･･11･･

12 EV

S e 1.25k50 2 11

1611.4

10050

200

603015

84

21

2 60125 2

50500

1k1/S

EC

8k4k

2kISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E12890

64 82

10.7

F1.4

H

510

2040 80

160 320 640 1.25k

-2-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1

+20･･11･･

12 EV

Studio DeluxeⅢ

L-398A

1.25k

640

32016080

40201050 2

284 56 8

11

1611.4

603015

84

21

28 15 30 6

0125 2

50500

1k1/S

EC

8k4k

4

2k

10050

200

ISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E12890

64

45 3

2.8

4

21

0.7F

1.4

H

・

・

・

・

Black cloth

7

5. BASIC OPERATION OF METER UNIT

Dial3.Memo Pointer OperationRotate both Dial Ring !6 and dialof Memo Pointer !7 to align withNeedle !8 position or desirablesetting position.※ See page 11 for actual use.

Memo Pointer

8

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

10050

200

603015

84

21

20 60

125

250500

1k1

8k4k

4

2kISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E

9064 2.8

2

Incident Light Measurement1. Lumispherea. Mount Lumisphere q to light

sensor w. To mount, alignwhite dots of Lumisphereframe and light sensor, thenturn Lumisphere carefullyclockwise (approx. 45 deg.)tosecure.

b. Set film sensitivity knob @0 tosensitivity value of employedfilm. Set ISO value to rightside ISO mark !1.Photo shows setting for ISO100.

c. From position where subjectis to be measured, pointLumisphere q in direction ofcamera. (Light sensor w canbe turned freely.)

9

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

5 10 20 40 80 160H

+1 +2-2 -1

Studio DeluxeⅢ 1.25k

640

32016080

40201050 2

284 56 8

11

1611.4

L-398A

5 10 20 40 80 160 320 6401.25k

-2-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1

+27 ･･8 ･･

9 EV

Studio DeluxeⅢ 1.25k

4021050 22

11

1611.4

10050

200

603015

1/SEC

8k4k

2kISO NE

12890

64

H

d. Hold meter erect and press stopper button !3. Meter needle !8deflects 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 deflectsbeyond scale, insert the High slide @2.

510

2040

80160 3

20 640 1.25k

-2-1

+1 +2 -2 -1

+1

2･･13･･

14 EV

Studio DeluxeⅢ 1.25k

640040

201050 228

4 56 811

1611.4

10050

200

603015

84

21

28 15 30 60

125

250500

1k1/S

EC

8k4k

4

2kISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E

12890 64 45 32 22 16 1

1 8

5.62.8

42

10.7

F

1.4

H

e. Read the footcandle scale eof the meter needle.

f. Transfer footcandle value tothe dial scale u. Rotate thedial 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 !5combination 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 speedand aperture scale is automatically altered to the appropriate onecorresponding to the changed ISO value.

※ Meter scale intermediate values

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

Footcandles

1.25k

640

32016080

40201050 2

284 56 8

11

1611.4

2

4 6

128

1625

5064

100125

200 250

400 500

800 1k

2.8

42

12

8 1015

3025

6050

125100 20

0400

800

250500

1k

1.6k

1/SE

C8k

4k

4 5

2k

128112110

8072

5650

4036

28

2520

18 14 13 10 9 6.47.1 5

3.6

2.5

1.8

1.30.8

4.53.2

2.2

1.61.1

0.9

9064

4532

2216

11 8 5.6

2.8

4

2

10.

7F

1.4

6810

1620

3240

6480

125160

250320

500640

1k1.2k

2.5k2k

4k 5k 8k10k

12

25

50

100

200

400

800

1.6k

3.2k

6.4k

12k

ISO

※ Film sensitivity intermediatevalues

※ Intermediate values forShutter speed and ap-erture scale

11

2.LumidiscEmploy for illumination contrast adjustment and illuminance measure-ment.

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

Main light

Fill-in light

• Contrast measurementa. Mount Lumidisc @3 to light

sensor w. Install in the samemanner as Lumisphere. (SeeP. 8)

b. Hold meter at subject positionand point Lumidisc @3 directlytoward center of main light.

c. Press stopper button !3 andread meter scale footcandleindication e.

d. Turn the memo pointer dialand set the memo pointer !7at the footcandle value theneedle points to.

e. In the same manner, measurethe fill-in light. In this case,take care that light from mainsource does not enter sensor.

f. Read a difference betweenthe footcandle value thememo pointer is set (seeabove 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 2320 1

or 2 : 1=

12

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

• Illuminance (Lux) measurementa. Mount Limidisc @3 to light sensor w in 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, thenmultiply footcandle indication by 32.

Example:80 x 32 = 2560 footcandles2560 x 10.76 = 27545.6 lux

Reflected Light Measurement1.Lumigrida. Mount Lumigrid to light

sensor w in the same man-ner as Lumisphere q. (SeeP.8)

b. Set sensitivity value of em-ployed film. Setting is per-formed in the same manneras for incident light measure-ment. (See P.8)

c. From camera position, pointLumigrid @4 directly towardpart of subject to be mea-sured.

d. In case of measuring narrowareas, as close as possible tothe subject, measure re-flected light from main pointof subject. Use adequate careat this time that meter shadowetc. 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 !6and 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 Operations1.Exposure Value (EV number) Readout

5 10 20 40 80 160 320 6401.25k

-2-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1

+27 ･･8 ･･

9 EV

Studio DeluxeⅢ 1.25k

640

32016080

40201050 2

284 56 8

11

1611.4

10050

200

603015

84

21

2 60125 2

50500

1k1/S

EC

8k4k

2kISO

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E

12890

6445

3222 1

0.7F

L-398A

H

Reading this exposure value toperform setting becomes conve-nient for cameras which employa light value system of shutter andaperture 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, setthe 　 mark o.

c. EV value indicated by EVmark y becomes the correctexposure value.

28 15 30 60

125

250500

1k4k

4

2k

8 18 24 6

4128

CIN

E

2 16 11 8 5.6

2.84

21

0.71.4

2.Employing Cine ScaleIncident and reflected light mea-surements during cine photogra-phy are performed in the samemanner as described previously.However, since the cine scale !2numerals correspond to cine cam-era film speed, read the aperturescale !5 indication that pertains tothe 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 tocut 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 dialscale value.

T =360×Rθ� R = Frames exposed in 1 second

T = Exposure time　= Shutter angle θ

510

2040 80

160 320 640 1.25k-2

-1

+1 +2-2 -1

+1

+20･･11･･

12 EV

6 1/SEC

k

H

-2-1

+1

+2

-2

-1

+1+2

Note: Some cine cameras possess faster exposure times due to anarrower rotating shutter angle (angle of light transmitting portion). Itis important to know the accurate shutter angle value versus cinespeed for your camera in order to determine proper exposure. Referto the camera operating instructions, maker’s catalogue, etc. for shut-ter angle information.

Shutter angle and exposure calculation:

▲H

▲H

16

1.Direct Reading SlidesA total of 11 slides are available, all of which may be used togetherwith the Lumisphere and Lumidisc. (Note that they cannot be usedwith Limigrid.) The High slide, as mentioned previously, is employedfor 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 slideset, 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

ISO64

50

40

32

25

20

16

ISO125

100

80

64

50

40

32

25

20

16

ISO160

125

100

80

64

50

40

32

25

20

12

ISO200

160

125

100

80

64

50

40

32

25

16

ISO250

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.

Shutterspeed

1

15

1

30

1

40

1

50

1

60

1

125

1

250

1

500

17

2.Direct Reading Slide Application

7. Optional Accessories Operation

When photographing, select slidefrom the above table according tofilm sensitivity and shutter speed.Insert slide and perform measure-ment in the same manner as forincident light. Read directly the ap-erture value r indicated by themeter needle !8.

※ Since it is not necessary to ro-tate the dial when employingdirect reading slides, settingbecomes extremely fast andconvenient.

18

Since the Studio Deluxe Ⅲ is a high precision instrument, use amplecare in regard to the following points.

• Avoid dropping or subjecting it to strong shock. • Do not store in areas subject to magnetic fields or where insect

repellants are located (metal cabinets, clothing dressers, etc.). • Keep Lumisphere and Lumidisc clean and protect from dust and

scratches. • Wipe Lumisphere and Lumidisc with a dry soft cloth if it becomes

dirty. Never use organic cleaners (like Thinner or benzene).

8. HANDLING CAUTIONS

JG1297521

7-24-14, OIZUMI-GAKUEN-CHO, NERIMA-KU,

TOKYO 178-8686 JAPAN

TEL:+81(0)3-3978-2335 FAX:+81(0)3-3978-5229

http://www.sekonic.co.jp/English