Metering Question.

[smudge]

This may be an incredibly daft question, but here goes anyway.
When I meter for an ordinary shot using my camera's built in meter, I rely on the camera being able to see the light that is available for the shot.
How then do I meter for a shot with a light set up that only fires once the shutter is pressed. Is there some kind of table or chart showing light out put in watts versus distance and exposure settings on the camera.

Thanks

[Jesper]

You can't measure flash exposure with the camera's built-in metering system. You will need a separate light meter that's suitable for measuring the flashlight.

[chtgrubbs]

You can use a flashmeter, which measure the burst of the flash, or your flash instructions should give you a guide number for the flash. To calculate exposure, the guide number divided by the distance from the flash to subject is your f/stop. If you use an umbrella, add the distance from the flash to the brolly to the subject, and then add 1stop for silver umbrella or 1 1/2 stops for a white umbrella.

[smudge]

Thank you very much.

[smudge]

Mr Bloo Dog, thats the kind of answer I was hoping for, thank you very much. I'm sure after lots of trial and error and a family that are sick of being dragged into my garage/studio, I'll get the hang of it. But I just needed that initial paint by numbers to make sure I was using the right process. I don't yet have a Meter I will be buying one this week. Should I go for one type over another? I have just aquired my first two lights, Bowens 800 mono. and will be picking up my bowens Esprit 500dx later this week. I reckon I should emerge from the garage about a week after that squinting at the sunlight just about able to wire it all up... thanks again.

[pyterps]

Bloo Dog,


I just looked on EBAY and they are running around $50. I would like to pick something up so this may be a good start to using a meter and later on (if needed) pickup another meter.

Dave

[robertwgross]

I recommend the WP-1000 because it will allow metering up to f90. The WP 500, I believe, will allow metering up to f22. Being able to meter beyond f22 is good because sometimes you'll actually want to over expose.In those cases, it's good to know just how much you are overexposing.

Please clarify.

If you meter for f/22 and then change to f/90, you will be limiting exposure by about four stops. How does this cause overexposure?

---Bob Gross---