Light Meter

SPEEDMASTER
L-858D
L-858D-U
Startup Guide

Thank you for purchasing SPEEDMASTER L-858D.

Please read the ‟Operating Manual” and ‟Safety Precaution” so that you
will fully understand the features and operation of this product.
Keep the Operating Manual in a safe place for future use.
This Startup Guide introduces the basic operations of this light meter.
For details about how to use this light meter, please see the Operating Manual.
For information on how to download the Operating Manual, please see
‟10. Download”.
1. Check Included Items
The following items are included with the meter in the package.
Please be sure to check that all noted items are included.

* If any items are missing, please contact the distributor or the reseller you
purchased the meter from.
* The USB cable (that has the A connector and Micro-B connector) is not
included in the package. Please obtain this separately.
* Batteries (two AA, Alkaline and manganese batteries are recommended)
are not included in the package. Please obtain these separately.

Startup Guide Lens Cap

Meter Strap
(this document) (Installed on the meter)

Anti-glare Sheet Safety

Soft Case
for LCD Screen Precaution

English WARNING
There is a danger of electrical shock when using high
Safety Precaution voltage strobes.
Avoid contacting the terminals.
This product emits electromagnetic waves.
Do not bring this product close to persons with
 For Proper Operation pacemakers.
Before using this product, please read this "Safety Precautions" for
proper operation. Do not use this product in an explosive atmosphere.

The WARNING symbol indicates the

WARNING possibility of death or serious injury if the
product is not used properly.
Use of devices emitting electromagnetic waves is
prohibited in hospitals.

The CAUTION symbol indicates the

possibility of minor to moderate personal CAUTION
CAUTION injury or product damage if the product is • Check the material of the neck strap to see if there is any
not used properly. risk of allergy.
The NOTICE symbol indicates cautions • Be careful of sudden emission of lights from strobes.
NOTICE or restrictions when using the product.
Please read all notes to avoid errors in NOTICE
operation.
• Do not leave this product on car dashboards in hot weather.
This may damage the product.
 General Safety Information • Remove the batteries when this product is not in use for a
• Read the Operating Manual before use. long period of time.
• Keep the Operating Manual on hand for reference at any • When the desired performance is not achieved, stop using
time. this product and contact the service center.
• Stop using this product when there are any abnormalities.
• The modification or disassembly of this product is prohibited.
• Do not attempt to repair this product by yourself.  Information for Users on Collection and
• This product is intended only for persons with expert Disposal of Old Equipment
knowledge.
• Monitor children so that they do not touch this product. To protect environment, do not through this device
• Use this product in a usage environment described in the and batteries away with the normal household waste
Operating Manual. at the end of those life, but bring them in at an
• This product is not waterproof. official collection point of your country for recycling.
2. Names of Parts
The following is a list of names of buttons and parts on the meter.
1 Lumisphere retracting ring
[Front view] [Rear view]
2 Lumisphere
3 Objective lens
4 Viewfinder eyepiece
(with diopter adjustment)
5 Power button
6 Measuring button*
7 Memory button*
8 Touch panel LCD
9 Menu button <<MENU>>
0 USB connector
a USB connector cover
b Synchro terminal
c Synchro terminal cover
d Battery cover
e Battery cover latch
f Strap eyelet
[Bottom (rear) view, [Lumisphere (Switchover
battery cover] between Extended/Retracted)]
Tabs (Three)
g Tripod socket hole Extended
mark

Retracted
mark
hT  ransmitter
(sold separately)
j Battery compartment
compartment i T
 ransmitter connector cover
* The function of the Measuring button 6 and Memory button 7 can be
interchanged using the Custom Setting function.
3. Turn the Power ON/OFF
After installing batteries, press the power button 5 to start up the meter.
The Startup screen appears on the LCD for 1 second.
Then the settings for the Measuring button (MEASURE) and Memory
button (MEMORY) are displayed on the Measuring screen for 2 seconds.
To turn the power off, press and hold down the Power button for at least 1
second.
The meter power turns off after the display disappears.
Please wait 3 seconds between repeated power on and power off sessions.
Power button 5
[Startup screen] [Measuring screen]

Memory button 7 * By touching the Startup screen, you can

Measuring button 6 immediately skip the screen.

NOTICE
● The blue lettered "SEKONIC" logo
screen is displayed after battery
replacement and 24 hours after
power OFF.
● Movement of the blue status bar
indicates that the meter is checking
its memory and preparing to operate.
Do not turn the power OFF. Otherwise,
the meter may be damaged.
4. Screen Operations
This section explains how to operate the touch panel on the meter.
Touch an icon with your finger to select a desired menu or item.

[Measuring screen]
Slide operations
Slide a finger up or down on the setting value
areas at any time to change setting values.

Touch operations
Touch each icon to change the display to a
desired screen.
Setting value increases when is touched.
Setting value decreases when is touched.

Scroll bars Scroll bars

Slide the vertical or horizontal scroll bars to view
a different part of the screen.

Radio button operations Check box operations

Radio buttons are displayed Check boxes are displayed when multiple
when you can only select one selections are available.
item. Touch a desired item to Touch a desired item(s) to select.
select.

[Screen For Selecting LCD [Flash Mode [Ambient Mode

Backlight Brightness] screen] screen]

Item selected Items not selected Items selected Item not selected
5. Input Numbers or Characters
How to input a numerical value
[Numeric Value (Numeric Number Input screen)
Input screen] No. Key Description
Inputs a numeric value.
0-9,
When touched, the input
1 Decimal point,
2 value is displayed at the top of
Sign (+/-)
screen.
2 DEL Deletes the input value.
1 Applies the input value, and
3 OK
returns to the previous screen.
Cancels the input value, and
3 4 4 Cancel
returns to the previous screen.
[Upper Case
Input screen]
How to input characters and numbers
(Character Input screen)
4
1 No. Key Description
5 1 ■ The cursor indicates the position
at which to enter a character.
When touched, the input
ABC, abc,
2 value is displayed at the top of
0-9,
screen. Repeated touching of
2 Decimal point,
the same button for alphabet
Space,
(ABC/abc) will change the
6 3 7 Hyphen
[Lower Case alphabet character in order.
Input screen] Switches between numbers,
3 1/A/a upper-case characters, and
lower-case characters.
4 ← → Moves the input position.
5 DEL Deletes the input value.
Applies the input value, and
2 6 OK
returns to the previous screen.
Cancels the input value, and
7 Cancel
returns to the previous screen.
6. Measuring Preparations
The mode and other settings required to make a
measurement can be selected from the Measuring screen.
For information on how to switch the display to each
screen, see the relevant item.

[Measuring Mode [Meter]

(Measuring screen) Settings
Selection screen]

[Select Incident/Spot [Tool Box screen]

screen]

[Menu screen]

* When another
function has been
assigned by using
the custom setting,
select Incident/Spot
from Tool Box.
7. Select Measuring Mode
Different measuring modes can be selected to meet various
requirements.

* In the custom setting, you can select whether to display or hide the
measuring modes. Content to be displayed differs depending on which
transmitter (sold separately) is installed.
[Measuring Mode 1 [Ambient Light T Priority Mode
Selection screen] Measuring screen]

1 Settings
2
3
Measured
4 values
5
6

<Ambient Mode>
No. Description of mode
Ambient light T (shutter speed) priority mode
1 Displays F-stop value (aperture) for input shutter speed and ISO
values.
Ambient light F-stop (aperture) priority mode
2 Displays shutter speed value for input F-stop and ISO values.
Ambient light TF (shutter speed and F-stop) priority mode
3 Displays ISO sensitivity for input shutter speed and F-stop values.
Ambient light HD CINE mode
4 Displays F-stop value for input shutter speed, frame rate and ISO values.
Ambient light CINE mode
5 Displays F-stop value for input frame rate, ISO and shutter angle values.
Ambient light Illuminance (lux or fc) mode (Incident light measurement)
Displays brightness value in lux or foot-candle unit.
6
Ambient light Luminance (cd/m2 or fl) mode (Reflected light measurement)
Displays brightness value in cd/m2 or foot-lambert unit.
 2 [Ambient Light 3 [Ambient Light 4 [Ambient Light
F-stop Priority Mode TF Priority Mode HD Cine Mode
Measuring screen] Measuring screen] Measuring screen]

5 [Ambient Light Cine 6 [Ambient Light Illuminance Mode

Mode Measuring screen] Measuring screen]

* In incident light mode

6 [Ambient Light Luminance Mode
Measuring screen]

* In reflected light mode

<Flash Mode>

[Measuring Mode 7 [Cordless Flash Mode

Selection screen] Measuring screen]
Settings
7
8 For Flash Percentage
analyzing
9 of flash
display
0 Ambient light Measured
a
(Orange) values
(F-stop values)
b
Flash light
(Blue)

No. Description of mode

Cordless flash mode
Detects flash brightness without meter-flash connection after
7 Measuring button pressed to arm meter for 90 seconds and flash
fired separately, and displays F-stop value.
Cordless multiple (cumulative) flash mode
Detects and accumulates flash brightness without meter-flash
8 connection after Measuring button pressed to arm meter for 90
seconds and flash fired separately, and displays F-stop value.
Cord flash mode
9 Detects flash brightness with synchro cord meter-flash connection,
and displays F-stop value.
Cord multiple (cumulative) flash mode
0 Detects and accumulates flash brightness with synchro cord meter-
flash connection, and displays F-stop value.
Radio triggering flash mode
Detects flash brightness after Measuring button is pressed to send
a radio transmitted signal to radio receiver connected to flash. Displays
F-stop value (When a transmitter sold separately is installed).
Radio triggering multiple (cumulative) flash mode
Detects and accumulates flash brightness after Measuring button is
b pressed to send radio transmitted signal to radio receiver connected
to flash. Displays F-stop value (When a transmitter sold separately
is installed).
 8 [Cordless Multiple 9 [Cord Flash Mode 0 [Cord Multiple
(Cumulative) Flash Mode Measuring screen] (Cumulative) Flash Mode
Measuring screen] Measuring screen]

a [Radio Triggering b [Radio Triggering

Flash Mode Multiple (Cumulative) Flash
Measuring screen] Mode Measuring screen]

* Switching analog scales in Flash mode

[When Flash analyzing [When Flash analyzing [When Flash analyzing
analog scale is Off analog scale is On] analog scale is Off
(Mid. tone is not set)] (Mid. tone is set)]

Touching the scale changes the display.

<HSS Flash Mode/Flash Duration Analysis Mode>
[Measuring Mode c [HSS Flash Cordless
Selection screen] Mode Measuring screen]
Settings
c
d
Percentage
e of flash
f
Measured
g values
(F-stop values)

No. Description of mode

HSS (High Speed Synchro) flash cordless mode
Select this mode to measure the brightness of a flash activated in
HSS (High Speed Synchro) mode.
c Detects flash brightness without meter-flash connection after
Measuring button pressed to arm meter for 90 seconds and flash
fired separately, and displays F-stop value.
HSS (High Speed Synchro) flash radio triggering mode (for RT-GX only)
Select this mode to measure the brightness of a flash activated in
HSS (High Speed Synchro) mode.
d Detects flash brightness after Measuring button is pressed to send
radio transmitted signal to radio receiver connected to flash. Displays
F-Stop value (When a transmitter sold separately is installed).
Flash duration analysis cordless mode
Detects flash brightness without meter-flash connection after
e Measuring button pressed to arm meter for 90 seconds and flash
fired separately, and displays flash duration time, graph of flash
wave form and F-stop value.
Flash duration analysis cord mode
Detects flash brightness with synchro cord meter-flash connection,
f and displays flash duration time, graph of flash wave form and
F-stop value.
Flash duration analysis radio triggering mode
Detects flash brightness after Measuring button is pressed to
g send radio transmitted signal to radio receiver connected to flash.
Displays flash duration time, graph of flash wave form and F-stop
value (When a transmitter sold separately is installed).
 d [HSS Flash Radio e [Flash Duration
Triggering Mode Measuring Analysis Cordless Mode
Screen] (for RT-GX only) Measuring screen]

f [Flash Duration g [Flash Duration

Analysis Cord Mode Analysis Radio Triggering
Measuring screen] Mode Measuring screen]

Switching between measured value screens (numeric value ⇔

graph) in Flash duration analysis mode
[Flash Duration [Flash Duration Analysis
Analysis Cordless Mode Cordless Mode Optical
Measuring screen] Waveform Graph screen]

Touching the
Measured
value area
changes the
display.
8. Tool Box
Touch the [Tool Box] icon ( ) on the Measuring screen
to display settings of functions frequently used.
[Tool Box screen] [Tool Box screen]
Page 1 Page 2

1 9 0 a
2 b
3 4 c
5 d
6 7
8 f
f e f e

No. Item name Description

1 Set Average/Contrast Function Selects On/Off.
2 Select Incident/Spot Selects the light receiving method (Incident/Spot).
3 Set Exposure Compensation Inputs a Exposure compensation value.
4 Set Filter Compensation Inputs a filter compensation value or select a filter.
Sets or edits the Mid. Tone from the measurement
5 Set Mid. Tone
or memorized value.
6 Mid. Tone Clear Deletes Mid. tone value.
7 Mid. Tone Recall Recalls Mid. tone value.
8 Set Exposure Profile Selects an exposure profile.
Deletes measurements stored in the memory.
9 Memory Clear (Not displayed in multiple flash mode.)
Redisplays data stored in the memory.
0 Memory Recall (Not displayed in multiple flash mode.)
a Multi Clear Deletes accumulated data. (Displayed in multiple flash mode only.)
b Number of Pre-flash Selects the number of times before pre-flashing is canceled.
c Flash Duration Analysis t Value Inputs t value of Flash duration analysis.
d Radio CH/Zone *1 Selects a radio channel/zone.
e ▼/▲ Moves to the previous or next page.
f Close Closes Tool Box and returns to the Measuring screen.
*1 Content to be displayed differs depending on which transmitter (sold separately) is installed.
9. Menu Screen and Custom Settings
The Menu screen enables you to previously customize or
edit the function or display settings.
Press the Menu button 9 on the meter to display the screen.

[Menu screen] [Custom Setting screen] [Custom Setting screen]

Page 1 Page 1 Page 2

[Menu screen] [Custom Setting screen] [Custom Setting screen]

Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

* The "Radio System Preference" in the Custom Setting is only displayed

when a transmitter (sold separately) is installed.
10. Download
■ Operating Manual ■ Data Transfer Software (DTS)
Please visit www.sekonic.com to download the latest version
of DTS software and the operating manual as follows:
https://www.sekonic.com/

Support Manuals and Software Select "L-858D" or "L-858D-U"

Software Data Transfer Software for MAC / WINDOWS Download DTS

Manuals Operating Manual

■ Data Transfer Software (DTS)
■ Operating Manual
You can also use the URLs below for direct access to both DTS and the operating manual.
https://www.sekonic.com/support/downloads

11. Optional Radio Transmitters

Sekonic makes five radio transmitters for use with the L-858D that can be
purchased separately.
When purchasing and/or installing a radio transmitter, make sure that the
meter, transmitter and radio receiver are designed for use in your location
and have the proper frequency to comply with local broadcast regulations.
Transmitter
L-858D Serial # Operating Frequency
Model #
JY11-XXXXXX (Canada IC) PocketWizard (FCC & Canada IC):
JY1L-XXXXXX (FCC) RT-20PW 344.0 to 354.00 MHz
JY11-XXXXXX (CE)
RT-3PW PocketWizard (CE & NCC): 433.42 to
JY1G-XXXXXX (NCC) 434.42MHz
broncolor (FCC, Canada IC, CE, RT-20PW
RT-BR SRRC, Japan): 2.4GHz
JY10-XXXXXX (Japan) RT-3PW
RT-BR
JY11-XXXXXX (CE) Elinchrom and Phottix (FCC, Canada
JY1G-XXXXXX (SRRC, NCC) RT-EL/PX IC, CE, NCC, SRRC, Japan): 2.4GHz
RT-EL/PX
RT-GX
JY1L-XXXXXX (FCC) Godox (FCC, Canada IC, CE, SRRC,
RT-GX Japan): 2.4GHz
* PocketWizard® is the registered trademark of LPA Design.
* broncolor® is the registered trademark of Bron Elektronik AG.
* Elinchrom is the registered trademark of Elinchrom SA.
* Phottix® is the registered trademark of Phottix Hong Kong Ltd.
* Godox® is the registered trademark of Godox Photo Equipment Co. Ltd.
* The contents of this manual may be subject to change for the product's specification modifications
and other reasons without prior notice.

7-24-14, Oizumi-Gakuen-cho, Nerima-ku Tokyo 178-8686 JAPAN JY1L97622

TEL +81-3-3978-2335 FAX +81-3-3978-5229 September 2020
https://www.sekonic.com Printed in Philippines