Sekonic Introduces World's First Color Temperature Meter Calibrated for Both Digital and Film

ELMSFORD, NY – May 7, 2008. The new Sekonic PRODIGI COLOR C-500, is the word's first color temperature meter calibrated for both digital and film. The color temperature meter, long a regular tool for professional photographers using film, has now been re-engineered for today's digital formats. It is critical for those photographers who carefully color-match their workflow from beginning to end. In fact, it is the first step in the process.

"When I tell today's digital photographer why he or she should spend $1000 on a color temperature meter, they look at me like I'm crazy," explains Sekonic Product Manager Phil Bradon. "But when I explain that it is the first step – and a critical one at that – in complete color workflow calibration, they nod their heads understandingly."

"Today's top photographers," continues Bradon, "intrinsically use color as part of their approach and style, or signature look. With the new Sekonic color temperature meter, they can measure and replicate each and every aspect of what is often a lengthy and complicated lighting setup: flash or ambient color temperature, filtration and ratios."

Most photographers are surprised to learn that today's state-of-the-art DSLR's and capture software's are incapable of compensating for various color lighting problems common to many shooting situations. Here are a few examples of when the camera and capture software alone do not accurately render balanced color:

• when mixing daylight with incandescent
• when mixing any indoor lighting with flash
• when filling with on-camera flash in open shade on a clear day
• when using multiple strobes made by different manufacturers
• when mixing strobes of different ages or with different light modifiers

In each of these situations it is not enough to merely create a custom white balance if the objective is truly accurate color. Before an image can be produced that is free of unwanted colorcasts, the color temperature of each light source must be determined. Only then can the balance be properly adjusted, and the only tool to accomplish this accurately and efficiently is a color meter. The Sekonic PRODIGI COLOR C-500 Color Meter provides the information needed to properly evaluate and then deliver consistently faithful color.

The Sekonic PRODIGI COLOR C-500 color meter is the world's first meter, in fact, that's calibrated for both digital CCD's and CMOS chips used in today's digital still and DV video cameras or photographic film. Color values are displayed in three ways in both digital and film modes: Kelvin color temperature, LB/CC Index Display to correspond to light source color filtration systems, and LB/CC Filter Numbers Display, for lens or light source filtration in direct color values, i.e. 81A, for use with Kodak Wratten, Lee or Fujifilm filter systems. Ambient light brightness is displayed in either Footcandles or Lux. The data display is electro-luminescent and automatically turns on to illuminate readings under low light conditions.

The "R" version, the Sekonic PRODIGI COLOR C-500R, is the first color meter to incorporate a flash triggering radio transmitter module. Simply press the measuring button to wirelessly trigger flash units or cameras up to 100 feet away. The built-in transmitter is compatible with PocketWizard® radio triggering systems, as well as selected products from Profoto, Dyna-lite, Photogenic, Norman and Lumedyne. The Wireless Radio Triggering Mode offers 32 digital coded channels and four Quad-Triggering Zones.

The meter is powered by two "AA" batteries (alkaline, lithium or rechargeable).
Sekonic PRODIGI COLOR C-500, cat. #401-500, is priced at $974.
Sekonic PRODIGI COLOR C-500R, cat.#401-501, is priced at $1,072.