Light meter

[domethiuos]

OK I have a question, I am using a digital Rebel and
I just baught the alien bees kit for $600 I'm looking for a good light meter. Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks

[5 Type]

Sekonic L358 !!!!!

On my side, I'm looking for studio strobes!!!

[domethiuos]

Thanks I read alot on the bees I got and the white lightnings also budget dictated the bee's. I hope there good

[Vegas Poboy]

L358 one of the best an inexpensive also.

[DaveG]

OK I have a question, I am using a digital Rebel and
I just baught the alien bees kit for $600 I'm looking for a good light meter. Anyone have any suggestions?

thanks

Minolta Autometer Vf.

[scottbergerphoto]

Sekonic L358. Get the $25 Pocket Wizard module so you can add the Pocket Wizard set later.
Scott

[tbubrick]

Just purchased the minolta suggested. As a new photographer, what books would you suggest I read to learn how to get the most out of this tool? Currently using a Sony Cybershot, but moving on up to the Canon Rebel soon. I will be purchasing some studio lighting and plan to do portraits and family shots as a hobby.

Thanks.

[DaveG]

Just purchased the minolta suggested. As a new photographer, what books would you suggest I read to learn how to get the most out of this tool? Currently using a Sony Cybershot, but moving on up to the Canon Rebel soon. I will be purchasing some studio lighting and plan to do portraits and family shots as a hobby.

Thanks.

I'm not sure if there are any books on using an incident light meter. But it's pretty simple. You place the meter at the subject position - or at least in the subject's light, if the subject happens to be the mountains over there!

Point the meter back towards the camera, so the light is "incidently" (get it?) falling on the meter and then take a reading. That's pretty much it.

For flash I measure each strobe individually in order to set up a lighting ratio. Write me directly if you want more information on that. With digital or slide film I will do another flash measurement with all of the strobes on and that is my shooting exposure.

[scottbergerphoto]

Just purchased the minolta suggested. As a new photographer, what books would you suggest I read to learn how to get the most out of this tool? Currently using a Sony Cybershot, but moving on up to the Canon Rebel soon. I will be purchasing some studio lighting and plan to do portraits and family shots as a hobby.

Thanks.

I'm not sure if there are any books on using an incident light meter. But it's pretty simple. You place the meter at the subject position - or at least in the subject's light, if the subject happens to be the mountains over there!

Point the meter back towards the camera, so the light is "incidently" (get it?) falling on the meter and then take a reading. That's pretty much it.

For flash I measure each strobe individually in order to set up a lighting ratio. Write me directly if you want more information on that. With digital or slide film I will do another flash measurement with all of the strobes on and that is my shooting exposure.
If you go to the Kodak website, http://www.kodak.com/global/en/consumer/products/techInfo/af9/ , this is an excellent free publication on using an incident light meter.
Scott

[slin100]

That article is a good introduction to light meters. Unfortunately, it doesn't cover the studio environment, where it is necessary to take multiple readings to determine ratios. It's also fairly simplistic in its advice to handling scenes with either contrasty and/or non-average brightness ranges. For example, it simply recommends adjusting exposure by 1/2 to 1 stop for dark or bright subjects. And when all else fails, bracket. That's good advice for a beginner, but leaves quite a bit to be desired for the more advanced photographer.

A flash meter is a many-faceted tool. It is capable of determining lighting ratios, which is extremely important in a studio environment. It can also be used as a tool for the zone system for determining the brightness range of a scene.

For straightforward portraiture, the guidelines are not too difficult as others have said. Nevertheless, there can be a lot of subtlety to the skillful use of a light meter.

Almost every book on portraiture will have a section on using light meters. I can recommend these following books on light meter use:

Creative Exposure Control (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0817437274/qid=1081791152/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-8636351-3882242?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Les Meehan: No content on studio use, but lots of useful techniques for outdoors, including a simplified zone system. It tends to be slightly film-centric but the information is useful.

Lighting Techniques for High Key Photography (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1584280751/qid=1081791324/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/103-8636351-3882242?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) by Norman Phillips: As the title indicates, this book only discusses one type of portraiture, but the sections of studio setup, flash ratios, and meter use are very helpful.

Studio Lighting Made Simple (http://lightingmagic.com/litbook.htm) by Scott Smith: A very down-to-earth (almost too much), conversational-style book. Scott Smith shies away from numbers (he does address flash ratios), but he does explain how to use a light meter. Interestingly, he advocates leaving all lights all when taking measurements with each light versus turning all but one off. He has a good point. The book also has a ton of very helpful diagrams for 1, 2, 3 and 4 light setups and loop, short, broad, butterfly lighting. Be aware, this is not a professionally-bound book, so you won't find beautiful color pictures.

Studio Photographer's Manual by Michal Freeman: It's out of print, but you can easily find it used on half.com, Ebay or Amazon. This is a general book on studio photography, so it covers studio equipment and both still life and portraiture. The section on portraiture is not that strong, but his sections on meter use are helpful. His philosophy on studio photography is very profound.