Light meters - still needed?

IS there a place for a light meter in your bag?

  • Yes

    Votes: 18 50.0%

  • No

    Votes: 2 5.6%

  • Depends on what you're shooting

    Votes: 14 38.9%

  • Yes - but only to make me look like a Pro

    Votes: 2 5.6%
  • Total voters
    36
KSG Photography

KSG Photography

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Kevin
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No
In this digital age (as opposed, I s'pose, to another digital age? :bang:) when we have instant review on our LCD's, aided by histograms etc. I wonder - is there really a need for the humble light meter any more?
 
I never use my light meter when shooting digital, as you say there is no point when it's quicker and as accurate to shoot and adjust than to measure and then shoot.

Will I get shot of the light meter. No, never. Not as long as there's film in world.

Not sure where to cast the vote for that. :thinking:
 
dazzajl said:
I never use my light meter when shooting digital, as you say there is no point when it's quicker and as accurate to shoot and adjust than to measure and then shoot.

Will I get shot of the light meter. No, never. Not as long as there's film in world.

Not sure where to cast the vote for that. :thinking:
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depends what you're shooting?


I want a lightmeter but for film too :D
 
Yes. A meter measures light, a histogram only INDICATES the effect of the light
 
KSG Photography said:
In this digital age (as opposed, I s'pose, to another digital age? :bang:) when we have instant review on our LCD's, aided by histograms etc. I wonder - is there really a need for the humble light meter any more?
Click to expand...

I have bypassed this digital age passing fad nonesense so yes... I still use a lightmeter.

In normal daylight conditions though, I can judge exposure without a meter.


Steve.
 
Theirs been a demand for lightmeters on the classifieds recently, and I was tempted to sell my L-358 as it doesn't get much use, but it really made me think. For a studio setup, bright daylight situations and for sanity checking and would still reach for it, and for those reasons alone it's staying put.
 
I have a Digital Minolta spotmeter F and I use it a lot, both inside and outside the studio environment.

I suppose for me it's a habit from my film days, and I like to identify where I want various tones to fall in the final image.

Each to their own I suppose!
 
Use mine when shooting portraits, probably over the top, but makes me feel more comfortable.....
 
Ok, I'm going to be bold and also honest here. It seems that if one doesn't use one, then certain folk seem to have some kind of attitude about it.

I have never used a light meter or a flash meter. Ever.

Would I like one? Yes thanks, amongst the umpteen other things I'd like to make daily routine easier. I also voted - yes.

My thought process goes along these lines though:
I can see how my shots are going to turn out on my LCD and also on my laptop when I shoot tethered.

Personally, I find it alarmingly obvious if there's an element of the lighting that looks over exposed or under exposed or simply if it isn't working very well and needs to be altered.

It doesn't exactly slap on an eternity to make those alterations either.

I'm fully aware that the use of a light meter grants precise measurement and I am also fully aware that it will make life easier too.

However, when reviewing the ever growing list of equipment that will assist in the development of my business each year, one has to prioritize a little.
When I do have a budget for equipment and I also have a choice of what to spend it on, the light meter seems to be the item that gets left behind.

Is it of detriment? Absolutely not, thanks to modern technology and the attitude that goes along with it :)

Steve Smith said:
I have bypassed this digital age passing fad nonesense so yes... I still use a lightmeter.
Click to expand...

Hmm, the digital age is a passing fad? That is nonsense. Quite right Steve :thumbs:

Steve Smith said:
In normal daylight conditions though, I can judge exposure without a meter.
Click to expand...

I'm getting there, I think it's a case of becoming familiar with ones surroundings and circumstances. Then using your judgement and creative license.
 
davetucker said:
Use mine when shooting portraits, probably over the top, but makes me feel more comfortable.....
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I would have thought portraits are the ideal use for light meter.s, so can't see why it would be over the top :thinking:
 
Jayst84 said:
Yes. It's a heck of a lot quicker and more accurate to set up a studio with a light meter. Rather than guessing, taking a shot, estimating the effect it's had, then adjusting... and so on. Sure your models, assistants, clients would find it pretty irritating as well.
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Sadly for me, I've had most of my lights for 15 years odd now (I'd like something new and shiny but they wont die :lol:) so I know them fairly well now. I really don't need to meter to know what they're doing.

Way back when a friend of mine got an assisting job with the snapper that shot all the foody stuff for sainsburys, mcD's, coke and those sorts. They worked on 5x4 and using a light meter in his studio was a big no no. He felt that part of being a competent pro was being able to set up lights.

Never went that far personally but I do agree you should be able to do it.
 
I got taught how to use one on my course last year and it was invaluable.

I could really do with one now taking product shots in our studio. It would make life a lot easier.
 
Are light meter's much use in landscape shot's ? i'm guessing not due to the distance factor, but if someone could please confirm/explain this i would appreciate it :)
 
dazzajl said:
Sadly for me, I've had most of my lights for 15 years odd now (I'd like something new and shiny but they wont die :lol:) so I know them fairly well now. I really don't need to meter to know what they're doing.

Way back when a friend of mine got an assisting job with the snapper that shot all the foody stuff for sainsburys, mcD's, coke and those sorts. They worked on 5x4 and using a light meter in his studio was a big no no. He felt that part of being a competent pro was being able to set up lights.

Never went that far personally but I do agree you should be able to do it.
Click to expand...

Fair enough, I guess if you're using the same lights.. and particularly in similar situations you'd get pretty good at judging them.

For me though, with crappy half broken mixed lighting kits and a bit of OCD ;) I still need the meter for now.
 
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