Light Meters

[magpieant]

Hi folks.

Just been reading the 'Natural Light Thread' and I have a question regarding these meters.

Firstly, is it possible to set the meter to a given aperture and ISO reading, then measure for the shutter speed?

Secondly, is there much difference in the exposure results from light meters compared to that of spot metering from the camera itself?

Thirdly, how much do these things go for (new & second hand). Are digital or needle ones best ?

Any info greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

Anth.

 

[Janice]

Camera meters are reflective... they measure the light that is reflected off the subject.

Most recent models of light meter have a white dome which does incidental metering... which is the light that is falling onto the subject itself when you put the meter against it. They also do reflective as well if necessary.

They can also have a studio light plugged into a synch socket on them and when you press the button the light flashes and a reading is taken right on the subject's face or whatever you are taking the shot of.

You can have a DIFFERENCE in a few readings... an AVERAGE of a few readings etc etc...............very versatile.

HTH

Janice

 

[cjnicolai]

Happy to answer.

1 - Yes, it is possible on some meters to set the meter to a given aperture and ISO, then meter for shutter speed. Some meters are a little more simple than that, but will still give you the same information, i.e. which shutter speed to use for your chosen aperture and ISO.

2 - Yes, there can be a very big difference between the exposure results from an incident (handheld) meter (measuring the light falling on your subject) compared to that of a spot meter on your camera (which measures the light reflecting from your subject.) Both can be used effectively, but I highly recommend using a handheld meter for its simplicity and the control it gives you.

3 - There's a huge range of prices out there. Unless you have a true need for a very complicated meter, I would recommend a very simply digital meter. Ideally, you want it to work both with flash and ambient light, and have both incident and reflective capabilities. Mine ran around $175 US (just a little Polaris.)

- CJ

 

[Brains]

Yes, you can enter the ISO and aperture and the reading will give you the shutter. You usually set the ISO first and then select the relevant mode. They are very useful for extremes of lighting situations e.g. strong backlight where the camera can be fooled etc.

There are a few on the forums who use light meters. I think that the improvement in camera metering is meaning they are used less than say 10 years ago. I rarely see them at weddings these days for example.

Prices vary....have seen some at near £1000. You should be able to pick one up second hand (think there was one for sale on the forums? or was that someone looking for one?).

 

[magpieant]

WOW.

Very quick responses - thanks folks!!!

CJ - I read your raving reviews on light meters in the other tread and that is what aroused my interest in them.

Another question, if metering for flash - does the meter have a cable that plugs into and triggers the flash? If so - can you get a cable that would do this for a Nikon SB600?

I anticiapte your answers as always!!

Cheers.
Anth.

 

[Ally]

Light meters are handy in the studio and can be usefull out in the field. I think you need to know your cameras light meter aswell for example - when I'm in a hall and using Av mode I know my 20Ds images are darker than I would like so I set the camera to over exspose by 1/3 of a stop. We use digital light meters in college they are a good buy and go for just over £100 -

http://www.warehouseexpress.com/?/photo/lightmeters/sekonic.html

L-308 S Flashmate