Sekonic L-858D Speedmaster Light Meter measure ambient light, flash and HSS with greater precision, and make faster, more informed exposure decisions on set.
The Sekonic L-858D Speedmaster is a professional light meter for photographers and filmmakers who need reliable control over both continuous and flash lighting. Its 2.7-inch colour touchscreen, wide measuring range and advanced flash functions make it a flexible tool for studio work, location photography and demanding low-light situations.
With support for Elinchrom Skyport via the optional radio module, the L-858D can also become part of a more streamlined wireless lighting workflow.
Precise control of flash and ambient light
The L-858D measures both flash and ambient light, helping you understand exactly how the two contribute to the final exposure.
Its Flash Analyzing function displays the percentage of flash in the total exposure, making it easier to balance daylight and flash when working on location. This is particularly useful when you want to open up shadows, retain detail in the background or create a deliberate balance between natural and artificial light.
Key benefits
- Measures incident and reflected light
- Measures flash and ambient light simultaneously
- Supports High-Speed Sync measurement
- Measures flash duration
- 1° built-in spot meter
- Wide sensitivity range for low-light work
- Optional wireless triggering and power control with Elinchrom Skyport
Measure HSS with confidence
High-Speed Sync gives you more freedom when working with flash outdoors, especially when you need faster shutter speeds to control daylight or use wider apertures.
The L-858D can measure the rapid flash pulses used during HSS, giving you accurate exposure information rather than relying on trial and error. This helps you work faster when overpowering ambient light or creating shallow depth of field in bright conditions.
Understand flash duration
When you need to freeze motion, flash duration can be just as important as flash power.
The L-858D measures flash duration from 1/40 to 1/55,500 second, helping you see how quickly your flash delivers its light. This gives you a clearer basis for choosing power settings when photographing fast-moving subjects, splashes, movement or other action where precise timing matters.
Wireless control with Elinchrom Skyport
With the optional Elinchrom radio module, the L-858D supports Elinchrom Skyport triggering and flash power control directly from the meter.
This allows you to measure, trigger and adjust compatible Elinchrom lights without repeatedly moving between the subject, the meter and the flash unit.
The result is a faster workflow and more consistent control of your lighting setup, particularly when working with multiple lights or larger sets.
Built for challenging light
Modern cameras can work at very high ISO settings, and the L-858D is designed to measure light in conditions where traditional meters may struggle.
It can measure incident ambient light down to EV -5 and illuminance down to 0.1 lux, making it useful for night photography, dim interiors, candlelight and other low-light environments.
The wide ISO range, from ISO 3 to 13,107,200, also gives photographers and filmmakers flexibility across a broad range of cameras and shooting conditions.
1° spot metering
The built-in 1° spot meter allows you to take precise reflected-light readings from specific areas of the scene.
Its viewfinder includes diopter adjustment and exposure information, so you can evaluate highlights, shadows and tonal relationships without taking your eye away from the meter.
This is useful when you need precise control over contrast or want to understand how different parts of the scene sit within your camera's usable exposure range.
Exposure profiling for your camera
The L-858D can be calibrated to the dynamic range and exposure characteristics of your camera using Sekonic Data Transfer Software.
By creating an exposure profile, you can relate meter readings more closely to the way your own camera records highlights and shadows. This gives you a more informed way to judge exposure in demanding situations where retaining tonal detail is critical.
Designed for both photography and filmmaking
In addition to still photography modes, the L-858D includes HD Cine and Cine modes with support for frame rates from 1 to 1,000 fps and shutter angles from 1° to 358°.
Filter compensation of up to ±12 EV also makes it easier to work with strong ND filters without calculating exposure adjustments manually.
Additional features
- Ambient shutter speed range: 30 min to 1/64,000 s
- Flash shutter speed range: 30 min to 1/16,000 s
- ISO range: ISO 3 to 13,107,200
- Flash duration measurement: 1/40 to 1/55,500 s
- Filter compensation: ±12 EV
- Nine reading memories
- Contrast measurement
- Exposure profiling
- USB connectivity for firmware updates and settings
- Dust- and splash-resistant construction
- Powered by two AA batteries or USB bus power
- Weight: 300 g
Who is it for?
The Sekonic L-858D is designed for photographers and filmmakers who want more control over exposure than camera metering alone can provide.
It is particularly well suited to:
- Studio and location portrait photography
- Commercial and product photography
- Flash photography using multiple lights
- HSS photography outdoors
- Action and motion photography
- Cinematography and video production
- Low-light and long-exposure work
For photographers working with compatible Elinchrom lighting, the optional Skyport integration adds another advantage: exposure measurement and lighting control can become part of the same workflow.