Which light meter could you recommend?

[aliman84]

Hi, I'm looking for a little bit of help in choosing a light meter.

I was looking around the £500(ish, but willing to extend if needs be) range for use with both video/film and stills metering. I seem to be looking at the Sekonic L-758Cine.

I was wondering if anyone has used this model or if anyone has any opinions about this or different models. So any advice would be brill.

Thanks, Alistair

 

[Hodders]

I've got a Sekonic mater and it is a joy to use, really intuitive and simple. I would guess that there top end models would be just as good. Can you borrow one to test/try it out ?

 

[aliman84]

I'm going into town today to try and give the cine a try, if not I'll try one of their other models - I'll post any findings later.

 

[antonroland]

Maybe I am uneducated but I really do not see a reason for owning a light meter in the digital age.

Studying light and exposure the strobist style very quickly gets you to a place where you can handle justabout any situation and get it right within 3-4 test shots...takes about 30 seconds or so...

My Scottish soul simply thinks of better ways to invest the money on light modifiers or whatever...

Please help me if I am missing the boat.

 

[tfboy]

Hi Alistair.

Is the meter to be used in conjunction with the D200/300 for stills? Why do you think you need a meter? Are you having problems with the onboard metering or are you trying to do something special where the onboard one doesn't work / isn't applicable?

For film, are you using the D300s or something else? I'm no expert at all, but when using the film mode on my D3s, I only appear to have to set aperture. Because the shutter speed is quite slow (1/24 I think), the camera seems to adjust it automatically.

 

[cowasaki]

Maybe I am uneducated but I really do not see a reason for owning a light meter in the digital age.

Studying light and exposure the strobist style very quickly gets you to a place where you can handle justabout any situation and get it right within 3-4 test shots...takes about 30 seconds or so...

My Scottish soul simply thinks of better ways to invest the money on light modifiers or whatever...

Please help me if I am missing the boat.

If you are taking images in a studio and using studio lighting in particular a light meter is vital really.

 

[cowasaki]

Oh and a Sekonic L308S is what I have. Cost about £100 off ebay

 

[aliman84]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll be using this both for photography (mostly studio based head shots) and for film (primarily digital, but occasionally film).

My video cameras are Sony EX1 and EX3 both with letus (extreme and ultimate) and I rent a Red if needed. A real big plus to having a light meter is not having to carry camera equipment around when scouting or knowing what lighting situation I'm walking into before the camera's even come out of the cases. This will be my first light meter so there will be a learning curve for me, but I believe it will come in very handy.

Cowasaki, do you get good use and accurate readings from yours? I played with the Cine version yesterday, really liked it and have ordered a new one which should arrive this week (just in time for a small shoot on the weekend)

 

[cowasaki]

Cowasaki, do you get good use and accurate readings from yours? I played with the Cine version yesterday, really liked it and have ordered a new one which should arrive this week (just in time for a small shoot on the weekend)

From the use I have had it was accurate. My studio is not quite finished so I have not used it extensively! The reality is that you don't really need anything much more complicated than the cheaper L308S model which does the main functions. My studio should be finished in about 3 weeks as I am just waiting to place the wood order tomorrow. All the electrics are done and the garage walls and floor sealed ready. Once it is done I should be able to say how good it is but lots of people swear by that model.

 

[antonroland]

If you are taking images in a studio and using studio lighting in particular a light meter is vital really.

O.K. studio with multiple lights, fair enough...I do prefer the seat-of-my-pants way though...

Cheers for that

 

[cowasaki]

O.K. studio with multiple lights, fair enough...I do prefer the seat-of-my-pants way though...

Cheers for that

Even in the studio with one light it makes sense. Never use one otherwise personally.

 

[Peter_Hartland]

Have used the 308s for a few years now, mainly in indoor shots like Churches, found it excellent at zoning, although the 1Ds MKII aslo does a good job. Was on a Studio lighting course this W/E and found it accurate & great for balancing flash units.

 

[EOS_JD]

Maybe I am uneducated but I really do not see a reason for owning a light meter in the digital age.

If you want to get the exposure correct first time, a light meter is an excellent addition. No worrying about exposure compensation or under/over exposure!

Studying light and exposure the strobist style very quickly gets you to a place where you can handle justabout any situation and get it right within 3-4 test shots...takes about 30 seconds or so...

In changing light you need a few more test shots to get right - meter, first time everytime.

My Scottish soul simply thinks of better ways to invest the money on light modifiers or whatever...

My Scottish soul says get it right - time = money!

Please help me if I am missing the boat.

Also in the studio you have no choice if you want to get correct accurate exposures.

The L308s is a great small meter - pretty cheap. I have the fantastic L358.