Flash Meter ???

[BLKBULLET]

Hey guys... I'm a newbie at this so please bear with me. I've been reading POTN and have been learning alot - Great JOB!! I own a 40D, 580EX, kit lens 28-135mm and the "NIFTY FIFTY". I also ordered a studio light set because I want to start a home studio. I figured I purchase a flash meter as well. I have a question and I know there alot of smart people that can answer this simple question for me.

If I set my ISO to 400 and the flash meter tell me to dial in at 5.6 F number and a secondary F Number tell me to +1/3 stop to add to the whole aperture.

What is it exactly trying to say??? The instructions are not to helpful...

Thanks!

[Curtis N]

It would help to know the make & model of your flash meter.

[BLKBULLET]

I got an Interfit Flash Meter. If it's not a good one I can return it.

[Curtis N]

I'm not familiar with that model, but if you take a picture of the display someone may be able to help.

[steveathome]

I got an Interfit Flash Meter. If it's not a good one I can return it.

is it this one?
http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~ProductID~4252.html

If so, as you have ordered some studio lighting, my opinion would be to return it for a better meter. Just my opinion, see what others say.

Out of interest, what lighting have you ordered?

[Jim M]

I see your dilema. It would be nice if it just gave you the actual aperture number. I suggest trying it 1/3 stop both ways from f/5.6 to determine if + one stop means to open the lens up 1/3 stop or if there is 1/3 stop more light and you need to close the lens down 1/3 stop. I'm guessing it would be the latter. You could also move closer and farther away from the light and see what the readout tells you.

[ben_r_]

I got an Interfit Flash Meter. If it's not a good one I can return it.

Dont know if its a bad one or not, but most of us here use one of the Sekonic models. Best bang for your buck is the Sekonic L-358.

[BLKBULLET]

is it this one?
http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/ProductDetails~ProductID~4252.html

If so, as you have ordered some studio lighting, my opinion would be to return it for a better meter. Just my opinion, see what others say.

Out of interest, what lighting have you ordered?

Yes that's the one. I'll take it back and get a digital one if it's necessary. I read in the Lighting part of this forum and they said that a Flash meter is useless for digitals. So I don't know what to do at this point...

I ordered from Steve kaeser @skaeser.com link:http://www.skaeser.com/servlet/Detail?no=459

I was happy with the 30 day money back guarantee and the people on the other end was very helpful with the product knowledge.

I also looked into the Alien Bees but was not able to afford them since it cost around 5 bills for 1 light.

[Curtis N]

I read in the Lighting part of this forum and they said that a Flash meter is useless for digitals.The nice thing about internet forums is that you don't need to rely on one person's opinion.

Try these threads:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=399550
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=426798
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=424765

[steveathome]

As you are unsure at the moment, I think the best advice would be to get a refund on the meter, learn your new lights the best you can, first of all using one, then one with reflector, then introduce the 2nd etc.
After a period of experimentation and more time to consider, you may be in a better position to decide what would better suit you.