Light meters does anybody use them any more

[peter]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

I use a meter when setting up for flash or mixed light. I also use it in situations when I want the subject to be correctly exposed and the subject will likely influence the cameras meter

Here is a very good example of this:

http://www.sekonic.com/classroom/classroom_2.asp

Thanks for that all useful information. Still not sure if I will get one yet would love to road test one before spending the money only to find I can not get on with.

[Ian]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Peter, do you have a meter and if so what make and model?

Just for fun I will see how my Sekonic 308 compares with the camera's meter later today

Ian

[Danny Chau]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

I still up my Pentax Digital Spot meter to check background evenness for fine art scanning work, as scanbacks still requires continuous lighting.

[Ian]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Hi Danny, but when did you last use a meter outside?

Ian

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Thanks for that all useful information. Still not sure if I will get one yet would love to road test one before spending the money only to find I can not get on with.

[Stephen]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Personally I wouldn't waste yer time Peter
Your camera has a pretty sophisticated meter in it already.
My thinking is this: If you are wanting to use a separate meter, then you must have the time to devote to its use. If you have the time then you can look at your screen or histogram and see if things are correct, if not adjust and retake. Its no more than you would do using a light meter. Its the beauty of digital. In the days of using medium format and tranny film, I used to use an external meter and often take a poloroid, and I'd still maybe have to adjust the settings.

Now if its a flash meter you need then thats a different matter and I can see some value in being able to take a reading from each flash head and balance them correctly. There are many I suspect that wouldn't even do that and again simply use the screen to judge exposure, I've done it twice this week cos I forgot to put the Sekonic in my bag They are of course really only any good if you are using manual settings and not using ETTL and synced speedlites

[Graham_of_Rainham]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Peter, do you have a meter and if so what make and model?

Just for fun I will see how my Sekonic 308 compares with the camera's meter later today

Ian

"FUN" - I expect nothing less than a fully controlled analytical comparative report

Have a great Easter

[Danny Chau]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Hi Danny, but when did you last use a meter outside?

Ian

Last year, that's when I took my 5x4 field camera out with the scan back, although I could just use the software on the computer, but I did use the spot meter to check the brightness range.

[Ian]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Last year, that's when I took my 5x4 field camera out with the scan back, although I could just use the software on the computer, but I did use the spot meter to check the brightness range.

Can we see the resulting picture(s)?

Ian

[Danny Chau]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Can we see the resulting picture(s)?

Ian

Yes, please tell me how to upload the image so it appears large on the forum page?

[peter]

Re: Light meters does anybody use them any more

Hi Stephen

"Now if its a flash meter you need then thats a different matter and I can see some value in being able to take a reading from each flash head and balance them correctly. There are many I suspect that wouldn't even do that and again simply use the screen to judge exposure, I've done it twice this week cos I forgot to put the Sekonic in my bag They are of course really only any good if you are using manual settings and not using ETTL and synced speedlites"

Yes this is why I was thinking of one. I use the speedlights in manual mode. I take your points and have added it to my thought process.

Hi Ian

"Peter, do you have a meter and if so what make and model?

Just for fun I will see how my Sekonic 308 compares with the camera's meter later today"

No I do not have one yet I am still thinking about it. If I do want one I have to order it as both our local camera shops do not hold them in stock and one of those is Jessops. I guess that does say a lot about how many people want them . The Sekonic 308 you have or the 358 are the ones I have been looking at so yes would love to see your test results