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DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> Using Light Meters - Incident and Flash Metering
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Showing posts 26 - 50 of 50, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 05/06/2007 12:49:53 AM · #26
Hi, I am new to this forum and I, too, would love to take a turn at the metering DVD. I just bought the Sekonic L-308S meter the other day and the difference in my studio photographs is absolutely phenomenal. If you don't have a meter, I say go for it! :)

P.S. Sorry to the Cindi Penrod... I PMed you about the DVD not realizing that it was a month ago you posted that! I just got excited!
 05/06/2007 01:24:31 AM · #27
Thank you again. I always find your knowledge very helpful.

You should write a book and make lots of money...your tips are better than most books I have read.
 05/06/2007 01:26:19 AM · #28
Originally posted by idnic:
I mentioned in another thread that I stopped using RAW files once I learned to properly use my light meter.


Hi Cindi

Yeah the flash meter is great for achieving accurate manual exposuresbut I find it interesting that you've done away with RAW completely.

I was hoping you may be able to share how you deal with white balance issues especially when shooting outside the studio. I've heard CS3, (and maybe lightroom), allow users to adjust color temp on jpegs in post but thats more software I'll need to buy. Is that what your doing now ? Also have you experienced that post processing jpegs in lieu of RAW has restricted your ability to print high quality at greater than A4 ?

I'd be mighty tempted to go back to jpegs as well if I could find a suitable workflow that provided the same high quality large prints as RAW can.

cheers,
bazz.
 05/06/2007 01:42:08 AM · #29
I liked the post Cindi as it reaffirmed a lot of what I learned in class a couple of weeks ago. (I actually got to do studio shoot!)

One thing to note: I don't quite remember the exact term but I believe its called sync speed. Its the fastest speed you can use your flash at before you start seeing the shutter blades. On the Canon's its 1/125 sec I think. On the Nikon's it 1/250 second. If you go above this speed you'll see dark lines on your shots. To double check this, check your camera manual.

Another question: You mentioned that you don't shoot in RAW anymore. Why not? I know that RAW gives a lot of flexibility with correcting exposure, color etc in Post but even if you have every absolutely perfect, wouldn't it be better to error on the side of caution? Who knows what tomorrow's software can do with that photo too. My instructor used to take 2 MP RAW shots that looked just okay back then. With today's version of different RAW software she effectively had 6 MP of info. (The older software could only do 8 bits I believe)

Anyways...

thats just me thoughts.
08/03/2007 09:46:44 AM · #30
Hey guys -- who has the DVD on metering? Can we get that thing moving again, please? Hifi would like to view it next.......


Message edited by author 2007-08-04 08:29:43.
 08/03/2007 11:08:36 AM · #31
Nevermind that sucks...

Message edited by author 2007-08-03 11:10:56.
 08/03/2007 11:50:00 AM · #32
I was watching "The Best of Dean Collins on Lighting" and it is very interesting to see how he uses a light meeter.
//www.software-cinema.com/disc_product_details.php?disc_id=78

Nick


08/04/2007 08:29:51 AM · #33
Originally posted by idnic:
Hey guys -- who has the DVD on metering? Can we get that thing moving again, please? Hifi would like to view it next.......


Saturday bump
 08/04/2007 09:56:07 AM · #34
G'mornin Cindi! Since I was the first recipient, I'll contact Tony ( mawear) and see if we can track its course...

Billy
 08/04/2007 02:48:55 PM · #35
Originally posted by rossbilly:
G'mornin Cindi! Since I was the first recipient, I'll contact Tony ( mawear) and see if we can track its course...

Billy


Hey Guys,
I sent it on to Kat ( bergiekat). Thanks for sending it around Cindi!

Tony
 08/04/2007 03:17:24 PM · #36
I currently have the dvd. I PM'd Hifi for her address so I could pass it along to her.
 08/04/2007 04:24:55 PM · #37
Originally posted by acrotide:
I currently have the dvd. I PM'd Hifi for her address so I could pass it along to her.


Get the lead out!! LOL! You've had that thing forever! I know, 'cuz I sent it to yah!! ;} (Just picking on you...)

Message edited by author 2007-08-04 16:25:16.
 08/04/2007 08:41:38 PM · #38
Originally posted by acrotide:
I currently have the dvd. I PM'd Hifi for her address so I could pass it along to her.


Brilliant! Thanks! :D
 08/05/2007 12:22:43 AM · #39
Many thanks Bill

I will reply to your pm as soon as I get email access - which has temporiarly gone down

Also many thanks Cindi for tracking this down so fast

Thanks

Fiona

Message edited by author 2007-08-05 00:24:04.
 10/03/2007 09:33:47 PM · #40
Can I sign up for this next? I would really like to learn how to use a light meter.
 10/03/2007 09:35:42 PM · #41
Originally posted by Trumpeteer4:
Can I sign up for this next? I would really like to learn how to use a light meter.


I suggest sending a PM to Fiona with your address and request the CD next. If you don't hear back leave another post here and I'll try to contact her myself. Glad there is still interest in this good info. :)
 10/03/2007 10:17:06 PM · #42
Could someone tell me what is the actual title of that DVD?
Is it "Using Meters in the Digital Age - with Will Crocket"?
 10/03/2007 10:20:48 PM · #43
Originally posted by justamistere:
Could someone tell me what is the actual title of that DVD?
Is it "Using Meters in the Digital Age - with Will Crocket"?


That sounds right, John.. but can't say now that I've shipped it away lol
 10/03/2007 10:24:40 PM · #44
Ok, I p.m.ed her. I hope I hear back.
 10/03/2007 10:40:13 PM · #45
Just something you can do with a Sekonic Light meter:

I bought the "Sekonic L-558 Cine" a while ago, but haven't yet mastered it's use.

I have been able to use it as a Remote to trigger my Camera set to Aperture Priority / Auto focus mode. It also relays to the several SB-80's (all connected using PocketWizards) to all flash at once. I had to also get a "stay awake" cord with button which simulates my depressing the shutter release button half way.

That seems to work on my 2nd click of the Sekonic, which sets the aperature and triggers the camera. The 1st click the flashes seem to "wake up" the SB-80's, but they don't go off when the camera shuter releases.

So at least I get 1st one dark 2nd one correctly exposed.
 10/04/2007 12:29:46 AM · #46
There are also two other important things that can be done with a light/flash meter that a lot of us, uh, old timers, have done that many of the young crowd haven't thought of.

Item One:
Say you are at a slow period and your mind has gone blank for a moment and you just need a few minutes to get yourself together and come up with the next series of poses and shots but you are trying to look like you know what you are doing. A good way to get a few minutes of thinking time is to take meter readings... even if you don't need them. You can take a number of light readings around your model(s) (if you are doing portraits) and it will look perfectly natural. While you are taking readings you can be thinking of what you are going to be doing next. If you need more time, you can move a light or two just a bit and take some more readings. For some people that are a bit nervous or can't quickly think of new poses and ideas, just a few minutes of "looking busy" is all they need to come up with the next game plan.

Item Two:
Perception is everything... It's might not be so much with with younger subjects today, but many of the older generation grew up thinking of photographers as someone with a large camera, big flashes (of the flash bulb type), tripod and a light meter. Having a light/flash meter hanging around your neck and tucked into your pocket, bringing it out once in awhile to do some light readings (even if you don't need it or are using your camera meter) can give a sub-conscious sense of "This is a Professional" to many of the baby boomer or older generation. It's kind of like when a plumber comes to work on your pipes, you expect him to be caarring a tool box of big wrenches. Or we expect to see a doctor in a white coat with a stethoscope around their neck. For photographers, the light meter is a connection to the past that, though many wouldn't miss it if they didn't see one, when they do, it clicks with their subconscious.

And another consideration, how many shots have you seen where the photographer is cozied up real close to a good looking model with the flash meter for a test shot? Done with a flash meter this is a perfectly acceptable reason. Not so much with out one. ;D

Mike
 10/04/2007 12:48:42 AM · #47
Just curious ... have you changed your mind about shooting raw yet?

Even with dead-on exposures and perfect white balance, I still much prefer the quality I get out of raw and the flexibility it provides. I also feel I get much higher quality large prints (16x20 and larger) out of raw files than I do out of jpegs. So... realizing you started this thread awhile ago, I was wondering if maybe you had changed your mind by now, or if you still prefer shooting jpeg.

10/04/2007 11:29:09 AM · #48
Originally posted by dwterry:
Just curious ... have you changed your mind about shooting raw yet?

Even with dead-on exposures and perfect white balance, I still much prefer the quality I get out of raw and the flexibility it provides. I also feel I get much higher quality large prints (16x20 and larger) out of raw files than I do out of jpegs. So... realizing you started this thread awhile ago, I was wondering if maybe you had changed your mind by now, or if you still prefer shooting jpeg.


Funny you ask.... yes, I have finally gone back to RAW. What make me change my mind? Lightroom! I can now deal with RAW images faster than ever so why not use it. My workflow is hardly changed and yes, RAW is more flexible.
10/04/2007 11:45:21 AM · #49
Thanks. Lightroom isn't perfect, but I'm loving what I'm getting out of it.
 10/06/2007 05:40:31 AM · #50
Hi Guys

I have just received the DVD and will happily forward it along to the next in line. Those that have pm's me I will get back to you for an address for the first in line
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