Light Meters - Do you use one? - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF for Nikon

10/20/2008 03:19:31 PM · #1

I have been making a list of things that i will need at some point in my photography. I have already added a set of lights with an umbrella (something pretty portable that i can cart around with me) but i see a lot of people using light meters.

I was watching a tutorial DVD that showed a Sekonic L-358 and L-758 being used in the studio (the L-758 being preferred for outdoot work) but was curious how many people here actually use a light meter on a regular basis and is it something that will help improve your photography in the long run.

I have been studying exposures, shutter speeds and ISO settings but it seems a light meter will help take the guess work away and give you much better shots. I am thinking that the longer you use a light meter, at some point you will get accustomed to the readings and be confident that you can be pretty accurate without one.

amathiasphoto

Nikon D300

10/20/2008 03:24:49 PM · #2

This should be interesting to read some of the responses. Yes, I do use one when I am using umbrellas, softboxes, etc. I do OCCASSIONALLY guess but its pretty rare.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/20/2008 03:26:10 PM · #3

I use a Sekonic L-358, but only for strobes.

Don't forget, you have a lightmeter in your camera.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/20/2008 03:41:54 PM · #4

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

I use a Sekonic L-358, but only for strobes.

Don't forget, you have a lightmeter in your camera.

Yes, i do realise that i do have this feature but it is my understanding that an incident meter is preferred to a reflective.

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

10/20/2008 03:52:32 PM · #5

Originally posted by Axleuk:

it is my understanding that an incident meter is preferred to a reflective.

Depends on the distance to your subject/s. For portraiture, though usually a light meter will come in handy. I don't own one, but I don't shoot portaiture.

Anti-Martyr

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

10/20/2008 03:56:12 PM · #6

I use a light meter-- my D300!

For metering with an old Yashica rangefinder I bought at a Goodwill. Darn thing is the lower model that has no light meter, and luckily my D300 with a my 24mm prime is close to the field of view of the finder. I still shoot the occasional roll of BW or slide film with it.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/20/2008 04:19:20 PM · #7

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I use a Sekonic L-358, but only for strobes.

Don't forget, you have a lightmeter in your camera.

Yes, i do realise that i do have this feature but it is my understanding that an incident meter is preferred to a reflective.

Ancient photogeek secret to make your reflective, in-camera meter into an incident meter - 18% gray card.

Use it, love it.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

10/20/2008 04:25:34 PM · #8

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I use a Sekonic L-358, but only for strobes.

Don't forget, you have a lightmeter in your camera.

Yes, i do realise that i do have this feature but it is my understanding that an incident meter is preferred to a reflective.

Ancient photogeek secret to make your reflective, in-camera meter into an incident meter - 18% gray card.

Use it, love it.

Yeah, but its not a funky gadget to have in your bag is it? lol

Spork99

OM System OM-1

10/20/2008 04:28:33 PM · #9

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I use a Sekonic L-358, but only for strobes.

Don't forget, you have a lightmeter in your camera.

Yes, i do realise that i do have this feature but it is my understanding that an incident meter is preferred to a reflective.

Ancient photogeek secret to make your reflective, in-camera meter into an incident meter - 18% gray card.

Use it, love it.

Yeah, but its not a funky gadget to have in your bag is it? lol

No, but the battery won't run out when you need it either.

MattO

Nikon D4

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/20/2008 04:31:39 PM · #10

I use one, when I'm shooting sports sometimes, and always when I shoot with my strobes in the "ghetto studio" aka my torn apart living room. I use a sekonic and the batteries are still the original ones. :D

Matt

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

10/20/2008 04:39:57 PM · #11

I have a Pentax Digital Spot Meter from my 4x5 b/w view camera days--I love the thing. I used it when I got my D80, compared the result from in-camera metering, I set it aside and just use the camera meter now. One less thing to tote around.

Of course, this type of meter is not really useful for strobe work, and I have not really delved into that yet, so someday I may snag an appropriate meter for that.

vxpra

Pentax K100D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

10/20/2008 04:54:52 PM · #12

I have a Pentax V Spotmeter that I use more and more for images that I plan to use HDR on (I like it much better than using my built in spot meter and recomposing). However, its worthless for strobe work.

ETA- I am also much happier with my HDR shots than just bracketing as well.

Message edited by author 2008-10-20 16:58:15.

onesaint

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Micro-Nikkor 60mm f2.8D

10/20/2008 05:05:00 PM · #13

Originally posted by MattO:

Everything that Matt said goes the same for me less the sports. Although I do just meter things from time to time to check how the cameras meter is doing. Also for studio shots its a must.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/20/2008 05:14:32 PM · #14

Originally posted by onesaint:

Also for studio shots its a must.

I've seen this sentiment expressed a few times in this thread. Can someone explain why and how?

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/20/2008 05:14:54 PM · #15

Originally posted by onesaint:

Originally posted by MattO:
I use one, when I'm shooting sports sometimes, and always when I shoot with my strobes in the "ghetto studio" aka my torn apart living room. I use a sekonic and the batteries are still the original ones. :D

Matt

Everything that Matt said goes the same for me less the sports. Although I do just meter things from time to time to check how the cameras meter is doing. Also for studio shots its a must.

How would you meter for sports? Is it just the ambient light in general you are metering for or do you actually go onto the playing field/area and meter for where you are shooting.

MattO

Nikon D4

10/20/2008 09:36:32 PM · #16

Originally posted by Axleuk:

Originally posted by onesaint:

Originally posted by MattO:
I use one, when I'm shooting sports sometimes, and always when I shoot with my strobes in the "ghetto studio" aka my torn apart living room. I use a sekonic and the batteries are still the original ones. :D

Matt

Everything that Matt said goes the same for me less the sports. Although I do just meter things from time to time to check how the cameras meter is doing. Also for studio shots its a must.

How would you meter for sports? Is it just the ambient light in general you are metering for or do you actually go onto the playing field/area and meter for where you are shooting.

Indoors or outdoors I use it to measure ambient, or when I'm strobing, I'll set up my lights before hand, and walk out and meter areas of the court and use that to reposition them, or to get my settings on the camera. For instance say close to me meters at F5.6 and with light fall out out on top of the key or mid court its F2.8, I'll change settings on the fly to get what I need depending on where they are on the court.

Matt

sanjivdada

Nikon D800

Nikon AF-S Zoom-Nikkor 28-70mm f/2.8D IF-ED

10/21/2008 12:55:15 AM · #17

I use Minolta V,earlier I was using Minolta IV.Its necessary for studio work plus very useful in outdoors plus when using strobes in outdoors.Its very helpful to get exact light ratio.

Kaveran

Canon EOS-50D

10/21/2008 09:32:46 AM · #18

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Originally posted by onesaint:
Also for studio shots its a must.

I've seen this sentiment expressed a few times in this thread. Can someone explain why and how?

how and why

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II

10/21/2008 09:51:16 AM · #19

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Originally posted by onesaint:
Also for studio shots its a must.

I've seen this sentiment expressed a few times in this thread. Can someone explain why and how?

how and why

Thanks - interesting reading. Though more specifically I was wondering - how do you take readings in the studio (do/should the strobes/modeling lamp affect the reading), and why is it more important in-studio as opposed to elsewhere?

ETA: From the above site, this pdf is very informative reading.

Message edited by author 2008-10-21 10:08:38.

MattO

Nikon D4

10/21/2008 11:23:40 AM · #20

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Originally posted by Kaveran:

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Originally posted by onesaint:
Also for studio shots its a must.

I've seen this sentiment expressed a few times in this thread. Can someone explain why and how?

how and why

Thanks - interesting reading. Though more specifically I was wondering - how do you take readings in the studio (do/should the strobes/modeling lamp affect the reading), and why is it more important in-studio as opposed to elsewhere?

ETA: From the above site, this pdf is very informative reading.

You take the meter reading while firing the strobes, so you know what setting to put your camera on. Some have a transmitter built in, or a place to put a sync cord. You set the meter fire the strobe and it takes the reading when they fire. Myself I use one of my wireless transmitters to take the reading. In the studio most times the ambient light is overpowered by the strobes so modeling lamps and other lights wont matter a bit. All of the light seen by the camera will be strobe provided.

Matt

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

10/21/2008 11:25:27 AM · #21

Originally posted by smurfguy:

and why is it more important in-studio as opposed to elsewhere?

It is not necessarily more important in-studio. The main difference is you control the light in studio as opposed to outside. The only time a incident light meter isn't preferred is when it is not practical. Taking a picture of the Grand Canyon with strips of light on the far ridge or a deer in the wild. Extreme wide angle shots also make incident light meters impractical.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

10/21/2008 11:31:41 AM · #22

Check - thanks!

10/21/2008 11:57:05 AM · #23

So, would it be safe to say that, as a newcomer to the digital photography world, having a light meter would be beneficial. The way i see it, if you can have gear that helps you to create the best possible exposed images for the situation you face, that has to be a good thing.

I was thinking that the more you used a light meter, the more you get used to the type of readings you are likliy to receive and over time to would become so accustomed, that a light meter would end up being a source of confirmation.

jaysonmc

Nikon D200

Nikon MF 105mm f/2.5 AIS

10/21/2008 12:06:45 PM · #24

Originally posted by Axleuk:

So, would it be safe to say that, as a newcomer to the digital photography world, having a light meter would be beneficial.

Depends on what you shoot. For some, me included, it is a waste of money. Spot metering fills in nicely in those instances where I wish I had a light meter.

Example: Your wasp/longboarding pictures would not be possible with a light meter, though all your entry shoots would be good candidates.

I think it would be more beneficial to learn Sunny 16. But that is me.