Sekonic L-208 Twinmate review: a pocketable light meter with retro charm

This entry-level device from Sekonic is a light meter in its purest form. It’s accurate, easy to use and so small and light, you’ll forget it’s in your back pocket

Sekonic Twinmate L-208 being placed in top pocket
(Image: © Future)

Digital Camera World Verdict

If you’re looking to pocket a no-frills light meter that can accompany you on film photography excursions then the Sekonic Twinmate L-208 is a great choice. It’s not the cheapest light meter out there – especially considering its plasticky build – but Sekonic are second to none when it comes to its light meter heritage.

Pros

  • +

    Accurate metering

  • +

    Easy to use

  • +

    Battery capacity checker

  • +

    Cold-shoe mount

  • +

    Light and pocketable

Cons

  • -

    Tiny lumisphere can make it harder to know exactly where you're pointing

  • -

    Other Sekonic light meters boast better build quality

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We all know the resurgence of film photography has caused a rise in the popularity of retro cameras, lenses and film stock, but suddenly the best light meters – like the Sekonic Twinmate L-208 – are back in vogue, too. This is largely because some of the best film cameras don’t have built-in light meters at all and aging SLRs with built-in light meters can be notoriously unreliable.

The Sekonic Twinmate L-208 is about as simple as a light meter can get. It’s a pocketable, stripped-back device that doesn’t meter flash, and can only be used for incident and reflected ambient lighting. It easily fits in the palm of the hand and is so light, you’ll hardly notice you’re carrying it.

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Reflected meteringYes
Incident meteringYes
FlashNo
Angle of view33 degrees
EV rangeEV3-17
Shutter speed range30-1/8000sec
Aperture rangef/1.4-32
ISO rangeISO12-12,500
LCD displayNo
Battery1x CR2032
Dimensions1.6x2.6x0.9in / 40x65x24mm
Weight0.1lbs / 40g
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FeaturesFew bells and whistles make this as simple as a light meter can get, but the battery checker button is a neat additional touch★★★★☆
DesignEasy to operate / read results and sliding lumisphere avoids the need to carry around any attachments ★★★★★
PerformanceAccurate incident and reflective meter readings, while ease of use reduces human error ★★★★★
ValueThe entry point into Sekonic light meters, but you’ll find cheaper meters out there ★★★★☆
Sekonic Studio Deluxe III L-398A

Sekonic Studio Deluxe III L-398A
One for the retro faithful. The Studio Deluxe is a celebration of Sekonic's past. It's not the best low-light performer, but it's top build quality, accurate metering in brighter conditions and video features still make it a fine purchase for the right content creator.

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Mike Harris
How To Editor

Mike is Digital Camera World's How To Editor. He has over a decade of experience, writing for some of the biggest specialist publications including Digital Camera, Digital Photographer and PhotoPlus: The Canon Magazine. Prior to DCW, Mike was Deputy Editor of N-Photo: The Nikon Magazine and Production Editor at Wex Photo Video, where he sharpened his skills in both the stills and videography spheres. While he's an avid motorsport photographer, his skills extend to every genre of photography – making him one of Digital Camera World's top tutors for techniques on cameras, lenses, tripods, filters and other imaging equipment – as well as sharing his expertise on shooting everything from portraits and landscapes to abstracts and architecture to wildlife and, yes, fast things going around race tracks...