STUDIO DELUXE

L-398A
Operating Instructions

SAFETY PRECAUTION
This manual uses the following safety labels for
CAUTION that you must follow.

WARNING and

WARNING
Indicates hazards or unsafe practices that can result in severe personal injury or death.

CAUTION
Indicates hazards or unsafe practices that can result in the personal injury or damage to your L-398A
exposure meter.

WARNING
Lumisphere, Lumidisc, Lumigrid or High Keep
slide out of reach of young children, as swallowing such objects can cause suffocation.

place in a location where an infant can Please

not reach and accidentally get the strap
wrapped around his or her neck. There is a
danger of strangulation.

CAUTION
L-398A has a powerful magnet. Do not
This
place it close to the following materials, otherwise 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 apparatus sensitive to magnetic fields.

CONTENTS
SAFETY PRECAUTION
CONTENTS
1. Features

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

Reflected Light Measurement

11

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

16

1. Direct Reading Slides

16

2. Direct Reading Slide Application

17

8. Handling Cautions

18

7. Optional Accessories Operation

1. FEATURES
Nearly all photographic subjects combine complex variations of
strongly reflecting surfaces (high reflectivity) and weakly reflecting
surfaces (low reflectivity). These variations delicately influence exposure 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 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 determining 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 conditions, brighter surfaces (highlights) and darker surfaces (shadows) are produced (illumination contrast). The Studio Deluxe
mechanism automatically takes into account the strength of light
from all directions, causing the meter to indicate a value applicable 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 photographic techniques to be enjoyed.

1. FEATURES
BACK LIGHT

MAIN LIGHT
AMORPHOUS PHOTOSENSOR

LUMISPHERE

FILL-IN LIGHT

10

2
.4

320

5.6

5K

16

INCIDENT
LIGHT

8
1.2

05

2.8

160

11

80
4

64

20

40

MICROAMMETER
MAGNET

Caution:

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 malfunction: Cash cards and other magnetic cards,
floppy disk, TV Set, CRT display, and other
apparatus sensitive to magnetic fields.

2. SPECIFICATIONS
Type

Analog exposure meter for ambient light

Light receiving method

Incident light and reflected light

Light receiving section

Incident light: Lumisphere and Lumidisc

Reflected light: Lumigrid (30 deg. of light
receiving angle )

Measuring range

Incident light: EV4 to 17

(ISO 100)

Reflected light: EV9 to 17

Film speed

ISO 6 to 12,000 (in 1/3 step)

Shutter speed

60 sec. to 1/8000 sec. (in full step)

Aperture value

F0.7 to F128 (in 1/3 step)

Cine speed (f/s)

8, 18, 24, 64, 128

EV (Exposure Value)

EV1 to 20 (in 1/3 step)

Calibration Constant

Incident light:

C=340 (Lumisphere),
C=250 (Lumidisc)

Reflected light:
Operating temperature range

0 to 40

Storage temperature range

-20 to 60

K=12.5

Dimensions

112(H) 58(W) 34(D) mm

Weight

Approx. 190g

Note: Features and specifications are subject to change without notice.

3. PART DESIGNATIONS
Front

Lumispherq
Light sensorw
Footcandle scalee
Aperture value
(for direct reading)r

Memo
pointer!7
Needle!8

32

EC

1/S
64

EV scalet

Dial scaleu
Scale marki
ISO scale!0
Cine scale!2
Stopper button!3

128
CINE
4
8 18 2

250

ISO

45

2.8 00 1k 2k 4k 8k
2 1.4
1 0.7 F

-1
-2

Strap eyelet@5

200
100
50

2 1

Film sensitivity
selector knob@0

64
128 90

ISO mark!1
Stopper
button mark!9

11
0

60 3
0 15 8 4

EV marky

5k 2
+

5k

H marko

L-398A

16 0
80
320
56
40
8
640
0 28 4
2
0
Deluxe
o
i
d
u
1
t
S
11 1.2
5 2
6
1
0
0
320
8
.4
11 0 40 +2 -2 -1 640 1
1
2
.2 6
1
0 H + 12 E V
+1

5
2 4
0 12
8 15 30 6
64

22 16 11 8 5.

Shutter speed scale!4

Aperture scale!5
Dial ring!6

Rear
Zero adjust screw@1

Meter
scale

Dial
scale

4. Accessories
Lumisphereq

High (H) slide@2

HIGH

Lumidisc@3

Optional Accessories
(sold separately)
Direct reading slides.

No. 5
Lumigrid@4

Total of 11 direct reading slides

(set of 11 slides in case).

Warning

Keep Lumisphere, Lumidisc, Lumigrid or

High-slide out of reach of young children,
as swallowing such objects can cause suffocation.

e
S
11 1.2
0 160 320
640
40 8
1.2 16
20 +1 +2 -2 -1
0 H 2 EV
+1

2
.4

EC

/S
k 1

-1

11

-2

CINE

50

12

250 8
50

2 1

64

4
8 18 2

2
60 1

11 1.2
0 160 320
640
40 8
1
1
0
2
2
1
1
2
+
.2 6
0 H +1 2 EV
+1

2
1.4

60 30

12

2 1

64
128 90

15 8 4

200
100
50

ISO

8 2
1.4 1 0.7 F

EC
250 8 C I N E
1/S
500 1k
2k 4k 8k

-1

11

-2

5k 2
+

5k

200
100

ISO

6
128 90
5

5k 2
+

11

8 2 0 1k 2k 4k 8
1.4 1 0.7 F

60 30
15 8 4

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 depressed 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-clockwise to where the mark is positioned
.

5k

1.Stopper Button Operation

5. BASIC OPERATION OF METER UNIT

64

4
8 18 2

25
60 1

Black cloth

2 -2 -1
+1 +

CINE

500 1k

128

250

4
24 6

2 1.4
1 0.7 F

200
100
50

ISO

2 1

64
128 90

45

16

1.2

1/S
2k 4k 8k

EC

+1

-2

EV
12

5
8 18
2 4
0 12
8 15 30 6
4

2.8

-1

11
0

5k 2
+

640
11 1.2

5k

320
8

Deluxe

0 160 320 6
40 8
40

20

15 8 4

S tu d i o

L-398A

16 0
56

80
4

40
28

20
5 10 2
.4
11
0

60 30

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 indication.

2.Zero Position Check and

Adjustment

5. BASIC OPERATION OF METER UNIT

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.

Dial

Memo Pointer

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

Incident Light Measurement
1. Lumisphere
a. Mount Lumisphere q to light
sensor w. To mount, align
white dots of Lumisphere
frame and light sensor, then
turn Lumisphere carefully
clockwise (approx. 45 deg.)to
secure.

12

15 8 4

2 1

ISO

2 4

4
8 18 2

64

12
0 60

60 3
0

90 6
c. From position where subject
is to be measured, point
Lumisphere q in direction of
camera. (Light sensor w can
be turned freely.)

200
100
50

250 8 C I N E
5
k 1
2.8 00 1k 2k 4k 8

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.

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

320
8

ISO

EC

8 C
INE

ISO

12

15 8 4

200
100
50

128

2 1

8 24

64

250

60 30

-2

-1

16

1/S
5
5.6 00 1k 2k 4k 8k
F
4 2.8
0.7
2 1.4 1

640
11 1.2

5k

13
2

5k

15

90 64

60 30

200
100
50

0
56
40
4
8
2 0 28
Deluxe
S tu d i o
5 10 2
0 320 640 1.25
.4
11 80 16 2 -2 -1 k
+
+1
0 H + 1 14 E V

5 10
20

16

E
NE
1/S
2k 4k 8k

-1

+1

-2

40
11 1.2

+2

16

.2
40 1
06
32

16
0
H
2
2
Deluxe
S tu d i o
5 10 2
20 4 0
.4
80
5 10
11
16
2 -2 -1
0
+1 +
V
H

640
11 1.2

80

5k

L-398A

5k

16 0
80
56
40
0 28 4
2
Deluxe
S tu d i o
5 10 2
20 4 0
.4
5 10
11
2 -2 -1
+1 +

128

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

H mark o.

d. Hold meter erect and press stopper button !3. Meter needle !8
deflects according to brightness. When the stopper button is released, 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.

90

5
8 1
2 4
0 12
8 15 30 6
64
1 8

45 32 22 16 1

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

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

8k 1/SEC

11
8
13 10 9

5.6
6.4

10

12
8

12k

25

20
16

10k
8k

100
50

40
32

3.2k

80
64

40

200

6.4k

160
125

64
50 0
0

5k
4k

3
25020

ISO

1.6k
k
1.2 1k 800

2.5k
2k

Film sensitivity intermediate

values

.2
2.8 2
4
3.2 2.5
4.5 3.6

1.8

1.3 1.1

0.8

0.9

0.7F

4k
1

16
18
14

0
80 1k
400500

1.6 1.4

1.6
k
2k

25 50 100 200 50
2
30
60 125

15

5k

640
11 1.2

80 1k
0

320
8

16

7.1

10

50
400 0

8 10

2
25 2
20

250
200

125
100

16 0
56

80
40
0 28 4
2
5 10 2 2.8
2
.4
11

12 16
8
6

5
4
2
32 28
1
4 2
6
45 40 3
64
50
128 90
56
112 110 80 72

Intermediate values for

Shutter speed and aperture scale

25

64
50

Footcandles

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

2.Lumidisc
Employ for illumination contrast adjustment and illuminance measurement.

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
Main light
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
Fill-in light
memo pointer is set (see
above d) and the one for fillin light (= needle position).
Ratio between main and fill-in light footcandles becomes the contrast ratio.
Example:With main light at 640 footcandles, fill-in light reads 320 footcandles. Illumination contrast ratio becomes;
640
2
=
or 2 : 1
320
1

11

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

Illuminance (Lux) measurement

a. 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 indication 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 @4 to light
sensor w in the same manner as Lumisphere q. (See
P.8)
b. Set sensitivity value of employed film. Setting is performed in the same manner
as for incident light measurement. (See P.8)
c. From camera position, point
Lumigrid @4 directly toward
part of subject to be measured.
d. In case of measuring narrow
areas, as close as possible to
the subject, measure reflected light from main point
of subject. Use adequate care
at this time that meter shadow
etc. does not interfere.

12

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

e. Press stopper button !3, and read meter scale footcandle indication 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.
H
g. At this time, shutter speed scale !4 and aperture scale !5 combination becomes the correct exposure.
Note:Do not employ slides for reflected light measurement.
More accurate results can be obtained for reflected light measurement by using a Gray card (optional accessory).

13

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

Other Operations
1.Exposure Value (EV number) Readout

EC

1/S

-2

128

ISO

2 1

4
8 18 2

64

250

15 8 4

CINE

60 3
0

90 64 45 32 2

200
100
50

16

50
k
1 0 0 1k 2k 4k 8
.7 F

-1

+1

EV

+2

9
8

.25k
40 1
06
32

640
11 1.2

5k

L-398A

16 0
80
320
56
40
4
8
0
2
28
0
e
D
l
u
x
o
i
e
d

S tu
51 2
20 4 0
.4
80
5 10
11
16
2 -2 -1
0
+1 +

128

Reading this exposure value to

perform setting becomes convenient for cameras which employ
a light value system of shutter and
aperture combination.
a. Read meter needle !8 footcandle 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
H mark o.
c. EV value indicated by EV
mark y becomes the correct
exposure value.

25

60 1

14

64

2.8
2 1
.4 1 0.7

4
8 18 2

250

Incident and reflected light measurements during cine photography are performed in the same
manner as described previously.
However, since the cine scale !2
numerals correspond to cine camera film speed, read the aperture
scale !5 indication that pertains to
the employed film speed.

128
CINE
500 1k
2k 4k

2.Employing Cine Scale

5
2 4
0 12
8 15 30 6

2 16 11 8 5.6 4

6. STANDARD ACCESSORY OPERATION

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, makers catalogue, etc. for shutter angle information.
Shutter angle and exposure calculation:

T=

R = Frames exposed in 1 second

T = Exposure time

= Shutter angle

360R

3.Using Exposure Multipliers (-2, -1, +1, +2)

Exposure multiplier indications are provided at both sides of the

H
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 exposure by 2 or 4.

Set the appropriate mark, instead of the

H or mark, to the dial
scale value.

+1

+2

-2

-1
+1

EC

-1
-2

+2

11
0

+2

-2

0 160 320 6
40 8
40
1.2
20 +1 +2 -2 -1
0 H 12 EV
+1 5

/S
k 1

-1

15

7. Optional Accessories Operation

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.
Shutter 1
speed

15

30

50

60

ISO
64

ISO
125

ISO
160

ISO
200

ISO
250

50

100

125

160

200

400

40

80

100

125

160

320

32

64

80

100

125

250

25

50

64

80

100

200

400

20

40

50

64

80

160

320

16

32

40

50

64

125

250

25

32

40

50

100

200

400

20

25

32

40

80

160

320

10

16

20

25

32

64

125

250

12

16

20

40

80

160

12

25

50

100

Slide No.

11
HIGH

40

125

250

500

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.

16

7. Optional Accessories Operation

2.Direct Reading Slide Application
When photographing, select slide
from the above table according to
film sensitivity and shutter speed.
Insert slide and perform measurement in the same manner as for
incident light. Read directly the aperture value r indicated by the
meter needle !8.
Since it is not necessary to rotate the dial when employing
direct reading slides, setting
becomes extremely fast and
convenient.

17

8. HANDLING CAUTIONS
Since the Studio Deluxe is a high precision instrument, use ample
care in regard to the following points.

18

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).

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

JG1297521