Sekonic have announced a new top of the range lightmeter, the L-558 DUALMASTER, which retails for $769 in the USA and, according to DP-Now, ?399.99 in the UK.

Sekonic Press Release 04/12/03

New Sekonic L-558 DUALMASTER: Here?s why it may well be the best Light-measuring tool ever made.

Elmsford, NY: For starters, the remarkable new Sekonic L-558 DUALMASTER is the world?s most
sensitive multi-function meter, reading flash down to an astounding f/2 (at ISO 100), twice as low as any other multi-function meter in production. And with the optional PocketWizard* module inside, it becomes nothing less than a Master Control Center. You can use it to fire individual cameras and flash units remotely, without wires, using a 16/24 bit, security-encoded digital signal. And that?s just the beginning.

Here are some more cogent reasons why this is arguably the best meter Sekonic ? or anyone else ? has ever put on the market in this price class.
- The L-558 includes Sekonic?s unique built-in retractable Lumisphere. Simply turn the selector knob to extend it for 3D incident readings, or retract it for a narrow incident metering angle that?s ideal for brightness evaluations, lighting ratio setups or precise readings of flat subjects.
-  The L-558 is also a true 1-degree spotmeter, with a parallax-free viewfinder and in-finder, illuminated digital display showing apertures in tenths, shutter speeds up to 1/8000 sec, and exposure compensation values.
- The L-558 features an extra large, cool-green-illuminated full-information LCD panel that displays the complete range of readouts and modes as well as battery condition. It can memorize and recall up to nine readings in any mode, average them, and display them individually on an analog scale.
- The L-558 includes a flash/ambient analyzing mode that simultaneously reads both flash and ambient light automatically, and can display combined flash-ambient readings, percentage of flash in the total exposure, and simultaneous display of flash, ambient, and combined readings on an analog scale.
It also reads in shutter-priority, aperture-priority or EV modes, and makes cumulative flash readings in cord or cordless mode.
- The L-558 includes a broad range of custom settings so pros and enthusiasts can tailor it to their individual working methods. And its body and controls are so well sealed that it?s rated splashproof to JIS water-resistance standard ? so serious photographers can take control with confidence in any weather.
- The L-558 is competitively priced. It gives pros and serious enthusiasts exactly what they need ? nothing more and nothing less ? and represents a remarkable value. Suggested list price: $769.
*PocketWizard module: $25 at time of purchase only (a $99 value).

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SEKONIC L-558 DUALMASTER

Meter Type: Dual readout digital light meter for ambient and flash, incident and reflected light.
Incident: Retractable and rotatable
Reflected: 1? Spot meter
Light receptors: 2 Silicon photo diodes

Metering Modes
Ambient: Aperture priority metering, shutter speed priority metering, and EV metering value
Flash: Cord or cordless (cumulative, non-cumulative)
Radio Triggering: Complex 16/24 bit digitally coded signal, selectable individual triggering
Range: 100 feet

Measuring Range @ ISO 100
Ambient Incident light: EV (-) 2 to EV22.9
Reflected light: EV 1 to EV 24.4
Flash Incident light: f/0.5 to f/161.2
Reflected light: f/2.0 to f/161.2

Display Ranges
Film speeds: ISO 3 to ISO 8000 (1/3 steps)
Shutter speeds:
Ambient: 30 minutes to 1/8000 second (full, 1/2 or 1/3 steps) Plus 1/200, 1/400
Flash: 30 minutes to 1/1000 second (full, 1/2 or 1/3 steps)
Plus- 1/75, 1/80, 1/90, 1/100, 1/200 and 1/400
Cine speeds (fps): 2 - 360 (fps at a 180? shutter angle)
F/stop Display Range: f/0.5 to f/128.9 (full, 1/2 or 1/3 steps)
EV Range: EV (-) 9.9 to EV46.6 (in 1/10 steps)

Analog display
F-Scale: f/1.0 to f/128 (in 1/2 steps)
T-Scale: 4 seconds to 1/4000 second (in 1/2 steps)
Digital display: f/0.5 to f/161.2 (in fill,1/2 and 1/3 steps)
All weather design: Water resistant splash-proof design
Memory function: Up to 9 readings on analog scale with memory recall and clear feature
Multiple flash function: Unlimited flash readings
Average function: Average up to 9 flash and ambient reads.
Flash analyzing function: Displays percentage of flash in total exposure in 10% increments
Brightness difference: +/- 9.9EV (in 1/10 stops) flash or ambient light evaluation
Exposure out of range: E.u (underexposure) or E.o (overexposure) indication
Battery power indicator: With a symbol in 3 status levels
Battery Type: CR123A Lithium
Auto shut-off: Shuts down after 20 minutes of non-use
Auto illumination: EV6 and under for 20 sec.
Exposure compensation: ? 9.9EV for incident and reflected independently (in 1/10 steps)
Meter calibration compensation: ? 1.0EV for incident and reflected independently (in 1/10 steps)
Filter compensation: ?5.0EV for incident and reflected independently (in 1/10 steps)
Custom Programs: 6 custom program settings for frequently used features
Repeatable accuracy: ?0.1EV or less
Dimensions: 3.5W x 6.7H x 1.9D? (90W x 170H x 48D mm)
Weight: 9.5 oz. (268g)

Specifications are subject to change without notice.