Do i need a meter for AB? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/07/2007 02:14:05 AM · #1

i was told i have to get one
can anyone explain why i need a meter for an AB

JRalston

Canon EOS-20D

06/07/2007 02:26:41 AM · #2

It would help immensely. Strobes give off a quick flash of light. Your camera cannot read this. Without a meter, you will just have to play around with your camera settings until it looks right to you.

Message edited by author 2007-06-07 02:27:18.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

06/07/2007 02:28:13 AM · #3

i researched a suggested brand, and it came up with many different kinds. The highest price being 500, im not sure how to access what i need, what kinds of things should i look for? (in a meter)

zardoz

Nikon D200

06/07/2007 02:48:16 AM · #4

I use strobes but never use a meter when shooting digital. I have a flash-meter, a relic of my film days, it gathers dust. Try your strobes for a while without using a meter, you can always get one later if you think you need it.
Just guess your exposure, start at f11 if you have no idea, then review the image on your camera. Use the histograms - they are better than any meter as most can give you colour information. Adjust your exposure from there. With practice it takes no time at all and even if you had a meter you should be checking the exposure with the histograms anyway. If you are not comfortable with using histograms then you should read up and get some practice - they are the greatest thing since sliced bread and make hand held light meters obsolete, for me at least.

Mike

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/07/2007 03:43:06 AM · #5

I have the Sekonic L-358. I think it's about $250. It's invaluable for using strobes.

Those who say you don't need a meter, either don't understand how to really use one, or have so many, many years of experience with their lighting that they can set up a specific lighting ratio or get a desired effect without one. The former will usually tell you to "just use the histogram" and the latter will generally be one of those rare individuals who can look at a scene and tell you the correct exposure to with +/- 1/2 stop without a meter other then the one built into their head.

Nullix

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/07/2007 09:52:58 AM · #6

Okay, it's a crappy photo because it was minimal editing and I couldn't change the white balance.

My camera was reading (AV) f8, 1/3sec. I took a meter reading and it gave me f8 13sec. I thought, wow, that can't be right, but I set to manual and f8, 13sec and the shot came out better.

Black on black and white on white fools your camera. I found a great tutorial on light meters, but the site's down. I'll try to find it later and post it.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

06/07/2007 10:04:11 AM · #7

While you can certainly "eyeball" your settings with your camera & lights, and will get better at it with practice..... a meter takes away all of the guesswork. Imagine you have a 2 year old you want to shoot -- you can't be "trying out settings" until you find the right one... you'll have missed the shot.

I use a polaris meter that runs about $150 and is WELL worth that price. Now I meter my lights & set my camera before my clients arrive - then all I have to do is shoot! :)

gaurawa

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

06/07/2007 10:12:19 AM · #8

...also if you want to ratio your lights, main to fill, its easier to use them individually and meter the output with a light meter.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

06/07/2007 10:16:46 AM · #9

Originally posted by gaurawa:

...also if you want to ratio your lights, main to fill, its easier to use them individually and meter the output with a light meter.

Excellent point!

fotomann_forever

06/07/2007 10:25:19 AM · #10

Originally posted by gaurawa:

...also if you want to ratio your lights, main to fill, its easier to use them individually and meter the output with a light meter.

You'd think you could ratio the light with the settings on the back of the strobes, but if you are using a soft box on one strobe and a direct flash on the other, it's damn near impossible to guess the ratio.

Telehubbie

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

06/07/2007 10:30:30 AM · #11

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by gaurawa:
...also if you want to ratio your lights, main to fill, its easier to use them individually and meter the output with a light meter.

You'd think you could ratio the light with the settings on the back of the strobes, but if you are using a soft box on one strobe and a direct flash on the other, it's damn near impossible to guess the ratio.

True. And also different distances of strobes to subject.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/11/2007 02:23:35 AM · #12

thanks!
very helpful, as always
now i have a whole new set of lingo to learn and some research to do on meters
anyone ready to point me in the right direction?

Geocide

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/11/2007 03:41:39 AM · #13

A flash meter has been very helpful to me. I went nuts and got the 758DR and use it in every studio shoot. It really does take the guess work out of lighting and forces you to think critically about how you're throwing light.