Controlling Light is an essential skill for photographers, videographers and digital filmmakers. Sekonic makes tools such as light meters, color meters and illuminometers to help you measure and control light for the perfect exposure. Save time and money by getting it right in-camera instead of in post-production.
Sekonic Light Meter
Sekonic Mission
Help photographers, videographers, and digital filmmakers master the essential skill of controlling light.
About
Sekonic makes tools such as light meters, color meters and illuminometers to help photographers and cinematographers measure and control light for the perfect exposure.
Compant overview
Sekonic Corporation Japan provides the widest range of light measurement devices for photographers around the world. Established in June 1951 as Seiko Electric Industries Co., Ltd., the first Sekonic brand exposure meter introduced was the revolutionary Sekonic P-1. Over the years, worldwide demand for exposure meters resulted in growth and the construction of a new factory in June of 1959. Sekonic meters became so well recognized that in February 1984 the Sekonic Digipro X-1 and L-518 meters were taken into space on the NASA Space Shuttle. Today Sekonic continues to produce and develop meters for every aspect of photography, serving the film, video, cinematography, and digital photography markets.
History
It all started on June 16th, 1951, when Mr. Ryuichi Mitani, a young man at the time, established “Seiko Electronic Co. Ltd” engineering, manufacturing, and design company for exposure light meters and selenium purification systems. That same year, the company released their first exposure meter, the L-1, under the brand name Sekonic. By 1960 the Sekonic brand meters became so popular that the company changed the name from Seiko Electronic Co. Ltd to Sekonic Corporation, a true testament that Sekonic meters were destined for success.
The company grew over the years and in 1963 it was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Sekonic’s detail to precision engineering and business expertise in the electronics business landed them many notable OEM clients such as Copal and Konica. In 1974 Sekonic received the “Good Design” award from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry for the L-428 System Meter. Sekonic would later be honored with this prestigious award again in 1994 for the L-308B Flashmate. During the years to follow, Sekonic diversified into other markets such as Industrial Recorders, Plotters, Optical Mark Readers, and other various measuring instruments.
In 1984 Sekonic received worldwide recognition when NASA chose the L-518 Digipro X-1 for the Space Shuttle missions.
As the first Shuttle launched, so did the future of Sekonic light meters, with popular models such as the L-408 Multi Master in 1995, and L-508 Zoom Master in 1997. As the new millennium started, Sekonic released the world’s first radio triggering light meters (L-358 Flash Master and L-608 Super Zoom Master) compatible with PocketWizard, offering wireless triggering and measuring of remote flash equipment in addition to other features.
As the photo industry evolved into digital capture technology Sekonic demonstrated its commitment to the needs of the professional photographer. Starting with the L-558 DualMaster and then the L-308S, Sekonic began to release digital-ready light meters.
However, in 2006 Sekonic completely reinvented the meaning of a light meter with the world’s first digital “Exposure Profiling” solution, the L-758 DigitalMaster. The L-758 series currently leads the product line and remains unchallenged in the industry by offering photographers a hardware/software package that ensures perfect digital exposure control. It is the first truly digital-ready light meter with tons of cool features, and earned the nickname the ultimate “Multi Tool.” With the L-758 off the drawing board, Sekonic engineers, fueled with excitement, set off to break another digital milestone. In 2008 the world’s first digital-ready color meter with wireless triggering built-in was born: the C-500 series.
In recent times, Sekonic has seen the merge of still and moving images, and Sekonic is there with products such as the L-308DC DigiCineMate launched in 2010. Today Sekonic continues to bring innovative new products to professional photographers and videographers. We at Sekonic have come a long way, and there are many more miles ahead of us. We couldn’t have done it without the loyal people behind the company, and so it’s with pride and gratitude that we ask you our customers to join us in celebrating this most auspicious occasion.
In 2012 with the astounding penetration of smartphone touch screen technology, Sekonic re-energized the concept of a light meter by creating the L-478 Series LiteMaster Pro. Breaking all the barriers, Sekonic created the world's first color touch screen, wireless power control & triggering ready exposure profiling light meter. Its compact and intuitive design offers today's shooters everything they need at the touch of a finger.
With the rapid development of new light sources entering into the Photo/Video industry, Sekonic was faced with the challenge of measuring pushed light sources like LEDs accurately. Responding to the needs of today's color-conscious image-makers, the SpectroMaster C-700/C-700R was born in 2014. Providing a large color touch screen interface, the C-700 series offers color measurements of all light sources including wirelessly triggered flash. In 2015, an additional industrial version of the C-700 was launched - the C-7000 - to address industrial color control accuracy requirements using standards of measure necessary for the market.
As new flash photography techniques and functions enter the industry, it became necessary for Sekonic engineers to raise the bar with ground-breaking features never before available in a traditional light meter. The SpeedMaster L-858D was introduced in 2016 and has fast become one of the most popular multi-function meters in the world. With its ability to measure flash duration, High-Speed Sync, and easily navigate through its large color LCD screen, the L-858D has revolutionized what a light meter is today.
Most recently, Sekonic has updated and added value to its very popular FlashMate series. Combining Photo/Video/Cine modes all in an affordable and compact design the new 2017 FlashMate L-308X is everyone's go-to meter.
Sekonic raised the bar again meeting the needs of the ever-changing world of Cine/Video lighting with the new and improved C-800 SpectroMaster. Released in 2018, the C-800 incorporates expanded Color Rendering Properties to address the evolutionary progress of the industry. Software enhancements now include Spectral Similarity Index (SSI), Television Lighting Consistency Index (TLCI), Television Luminance Matching Factor (TLMF), and Technical Memorandum (TM-30-18). Today Sekonic continues to bring innovative new products to professional photographers and cine/videographers.
Sekonic... Because it's all about controlling the light.