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09/01/2005 01:56:32 PM · #1 |
I was curious if anyone here has experience using external light meters (such as Sekonic and Minolta light meters)... and if so how they are used?
Having never used one, and doing google searches for light meters always turns up results on using your camera to spot meter, etc. I was curious how an external light meter works... and if it can help you get a better exposure?
Reading on some of the Sekonic models it appears as if you utilize it to meter and then the device tells you what it recommends for the exposure settings based on what you pointed it at.
Do they make a big difference in getting proper exposure? How easy are they to learn how to use? |
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09/01/2005 02:07:35 PM · #2 |
theyre easy to use, and great for shooting with film. u can meter various spots in your scene and see how each place is properly exposed (it will tell you the correct exposure) then decide on which exposure you want (ie expose the highlights or for shadows whatever). They are great for using external flashes or strobes, and are necessary for determining correct flash/strobe output/ fstop on your camera, unless you feel like going through the math of calculating the distance of subject to GN on your flash n stuff. With digital, its not that necessary as you can always just pop off a few and check your histogram, but it wouldnt hurt anyways.
I wish I had one, but what I do for now when shooting film, is determin my exposure with my d70 then shoot the film. |
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09/01/2005 02:10:39 PM · #3 |
Too funny... I shoot with my Leica M3 like this a lot of the time. I have a meter for it, however a VERY small nut is missing on a piece of it and I don't want to lose the part it holds...
Hey, it works. |
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09/01/2005 02:18:06 PM · #4 |
Depending on the condition and quality, light meters are extremely reliable and accurate devices for setting a manual exposure for a composition. They can be used for any situation, but are usually found in a studio setting where direct contact with the subject is most easily afforded. Usually they work with a push button that causes a digital readout or analog needle display the proper f-stop for a particular shutter speed at a given ASA (or ISO) setting. You can go the other way if you want to use a particular f-stop (to get more or less DOF) it will give you the shutter speed. It can be used for landscapes and macros as well, but some experience will need to be gained to use it for these situations confidently. When you purchase your meter, instructions will come with it. You may also want to learn some techniques by picking up a book or two from the library.
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