using a light meter

[entrefoto]

I am still trying to figure out how to use the sekonic L-758 that i just purchased. Lets see if i understand this right...please give some feedback and correct me where i'm wrong so that i can understand how to use the meter. this is my first meter so i have no previous knowledge on how they work. From my understanding you set the camera ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to whatever you desire for the shot. then on the meter i put it in wireless flash mode to use my pocket wizards and set the ISO and shutter speed on the meter and then meter the scene for the light. then if i am setting f/8 on the camera and the reading reads something like f/4, increase the output of the flash until the meter reads f/8. is this correct? is there anything i'm missing? one more thing....i'm majorly doing portraits so i'll primarily be using incident metering.

[Screamer]

Did you not check out the links in your other thread? I've watched the Will Crocket video, and it pretty much explains everything.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=258724

[Wilt]

Depending on the meter, and the modes it supports...

For ambient:
Set ISO, set shutter speed desired, on Ambient mode, push button and meter tells you f/stop to use

For flash
Set ISO, set shutter speed to be used for flash synch, on Corded or Uncorded push button and meter tells you f/stop to use.



If you happen to be trying to balance ambient with flash:
Set ISO, set shutter speed to be used for flash synch, push button and on Ambient mode of meter it tells you f/stop to use for ambient. Reduce that f/stop on the lens so that background is a bit darker than the area to be illuminated with flash. On Corded mode of meter, push the button to trigger the flash and use flash controls to increase the power output of the flash until you reach the f/stop that is set on the lens.

[TeeJay]

Generally you would set the meter to match the shutter speed and ISO that you have set on the camera. Then adjust the output on the lights to give the desired effect (highlights, shadows etc) , then meter the output at the subject - noting the Aperture setting.

(some slight tweeking of the settings at this point might be required depending on what DOF you require - which is adjusted by varying the Aperture)

Set your camera to this Aperture setting, and Roberts your Mother's brother! ;-)

TJ

[entrefoto]

Did you not check out the links in your other thread? I've watched the Will Crocket video, and it pretty much explains everything.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=258724

i did watch the video but still i am confused, unless i watched the wrong video because the poster said it was for the 758 and the video i watched he used the 558. i am just seeking clarification :)

[Screamer]

i did watch the video but still i am confused, unless i watched the wrong video because the poster said it was for the 758 and the video i watched he used the 558. i am just seeking clarification :)

The questions you asked pertain to pretty much any light meter. I had the 558 and moved to the 758. The difference in operation is negligable and the core principles are the same.

I can appreciate your frustration. Your asking the right questions...just don't gety hung up that it's a 758, not a "XXX". ;)

[entrefoto]

The questions you asked pertain to pretty much any light meter. I had the 558 and moved to the 758. The difference in operation is negligable and the core principles are the same.

I can appreciate your frustration. Your asking the right questions...just don't gety hung up that it's a 758, not a "XXX". ;)


haha, will do, i was just pointing that out to see if it was the right video you all are watching too. but yeah, i'm still confused after watching that video, this is what i have devoted all my time lately to figuring out so i am determined to understand it. so is my understanding so far correct? am i missing anything important?