Using a hand-held light meter with speedlights

[Taka3]

Hi there

I am planning a bit cheepy way to get an on-location job done.

Since I dont have have money to buy a battery pack and proper light kits, Im ganna use 2 sppedlights 580EX with umbrellas...and a transmitter.

To work like in studio, Ive got to use a light meter to set up the lights.

...but these 580EX cannot be pluged sync cords in.

How can I trigger the 580EX with my sekonic light meter??
Should I ask someone to hold the meter and try test flashes??

Anyone trying the same idea??

PLZ PLZ PLZ

[PacAce]

What you can do is mount the lightmeter on a light stand and position it where the subject is, pointing the face of the lightmeter dome at the camera. Set the meter to Auto-reset cordless flash mode. Then go over to each flash and fire it manually by pressing the test button. Adjust the flash output power as needed.

[ericrudd]

This kind of relates to a question I have in my thinking. I too, have a speedlight...what I'm wondering is....

...how do I know what the flash exposure the speedlight is performing? For example...let's say I'm runing in aperture priority mode, but turn the flash on for firing. The background is exposed to the exposure setting the camera is showing. But what exposure is the camera going for with the subject and the flash? Is it the same exposure that the camera would display if it were set to program mode?

I guess what I'm asking is...without an external exposure meter...how would I set a specific lighting ratio between the background and subject using this setup? Is there a way to get the in-camera meter to display what the flash exposure will be delivering when fired? I hope this makes sense.

Forgive me if this has been convered in 6452 threads in various forums around the internet.

Best, Eric

[ericrudd]

Folks...please feel free to respond to my question...but I just discovered the stickies for this forum and will now READ them.

Thanks.

[gkas]

I did a LOT of testing with the ST-E2, 550, and 580 and my Sekonic 558R. There is only ONE way to get accurate measurements with this combination. That is to put all the flashes in manual mode, and the 558 in the 'wait for flash' mode. Fire the flashes with the TEST button on any of the flashes. The flashes can be set to fire singly, or in combination. Do not try to test fire by the camera. You will get an inaccurate reading. Firing via the test button will give very accurate results.

[Taka3]

hey thanks gkas
sounds you have a similar condition.

So what is wrong with trying test fire by the camera??
I was thinking of finding a wireless remote for my camera so that I can just stand holding a light meter and click the remote! the speedlights flash and the job is done!....although I might be in the test shot.

What do you think about the plan??

Good shots you have in you online folio by the way ;)

[Taka3]

Hey Gkas!

Ive found a solution and it works!!

What about set up flash kits first and then carry a camera with a transmitter with you in the right hand. ans then in your left hand you have a light meter with 'wait for flash' mode.
It might be a bit hard but if you can reach 'pilot' of your transmitter with a thumb, you can trigger the flashes while you are holding the light meter!

Hey we solved! Isnt it correct??

[PacAce]

I did a LOT of testing with the ST-E2, 550, and 580 and my Sekonic 558R. There is only ONE way to get accurate measurements with this combination. That is to put all the flashes in manual mode, and the 558 in the 'wait for flash' mode. Fire the flashes with the TEST button on any of the flashes. The flashes can be set to fire singly, or in combination. Do not try to test fire by the camera. You will get an inaccurate reading. Firing via the test button will give very accurate results.
I wouldn't try getting a reading of all the flashes in combination either by test firing the master. You'll get the same result you'd get if you fired them all from the camera. :)

[PacAce]

Hey Gkas!

Ive found a solution and it works!!

What about set up flash kits first and then carry a camera with a transmitter with you in the right hand. ans then in your left hand you have a light meter with 'wait for flash' mode.
It might be a bit hard but if you can reach 'pilot' of your transmitter with a thumb, you can trigger the flashes while you are holding the light meter!

Hey we solved! Isnt it correct??
If you're going to be working with this kind of setup, I highly recommend you get another tripod or light stand where you can mount your light meter. (You can get them for less than $30.00). That way, you won't need to worry about having to hold the lightmeter while trying to trigger the flashes manually.

[gkas]

I wouldn't try getting a reading of all the flashes in combination either by test firing the master. You'll get the same result you'd get if you fired them all from the camera. :)

Test firing a combination of flashes work correctly if the controlling unit is fired via the test button. You get the correct exposure if you take your pic in Manual Mode (camera) with the 558 reading. I have not tried firing the units via a Pocket Wizard or other remote, since I don't own one.

[gkas]

So what is wrong with trying test fire by the camera??
I was thinking of finding a wireless remote for my camera so that I can just stand holding a light meter and click the remote! the speedlights flash and the job is done!....although I might be in the test shot.

The 558 will give you a reading telling you that you have severe underexposure. This is even with preflash turned off.

[PacAce]

Test firing a combination of flashes work correctly if the controlling unit is fired via the test button. You get the correct exposure if you take your pic in Manual Mode (camera) with the 558 reading. I have not tried firing the units via a Pocket Wizard or other remote, since I don't own one.
Yes, you are correct, I stand corrected. It does work when firing with the test button. But the shutter speed has to be set to 1/125 or slower. When I was doing my test shots before I was using the max sync speed of 1/250 and that was too short a time to register the slave flash output on the meter.