whats more important?

[momoe]

do I buy a used light meter or a decent tripod?

[FlyingPhotog]

Depends...

Are you:
A) Shooting in a known dark place? (Tripod)
B) Wanting to know just how dark it is? (Meter)

What kind of subjects are you primarilly shooting?

[PacAce]

Only you can answer the question of which is more important. For me, I got a decent tripod first, then got a light meter.

[Lowner]

Tripod.

[themadman]

I know many people love light meters, but I mainly just use the built in one on my camera =)

I vote tripod.

[Headshotzx]

i'd pick a tripod

[SuzyView]

A don't use a light meter. I like to guess. :);)

But a tripod is a must. And the answer for that one is to look in the forum for suggestions. I went with the $300 set up, I just don't need anything more.

[Kevin B]

The tripod is more important. You have a light meter in the camera and you can always take some test shots to get the exposure right. There's no substitute for a tripod when you need a long exposure.

[Mike R]

Tripod. Even a lightmeter may tell you that you need one.

I only recently purchased a light meter now that I want to learn more about portraits.

[dovaka]

definitely a tripod

[Starved]

You can get away with tests shots without light meter. Tripod will be used in many situations.

[Darkwand]

Tripod! surprisingly usefull!

I haven't had one for 8 hrs and I'm already shaking, i won't last till i get another one.

[Lowner]

Suzy,

"I like to guess".

I bet theres no much guessing going on. I remember watching pro 'togs at an F1 weekend. When the light changed, they tweaked their manual settings without a thought of checking the camera metering. They glanced up at the sky and knew what was needed. Maybe one or two would wave a meter vaguely, but not many. That's how I am with sailing and I'd love to get that skilled as a photographer, sadly at 62 I know I'll never make it!

What was the old photo journalists saying? "f/8, 1/100s and be there."

[MichaelBernard]

I vote tripod.. I like to guess too Suzy, though I do cheat and use the meter onboard as a backup. Informed Intuition?

[momoe]

ok, I was leaning towards tripod myself. problem is I cant go big money right now. I would like 1 that has the wide adjustment on the legs to get low to the ground. I looked at a benbo trekker. I liked the arm off the side for macro but I do mostly portrait and am starting to do some weddings. I also read a few reviews that were less than favorable towards that model. any thoughts on this? I am trying to stay under $150 and used is not a problem.

[themadman]

Informed Intuition?
If that means using the on camera histogram than I guess I use this "informed intuition" as well =P

[Darkwand]

Don't spend too little on the tripod, you usually have an expensive camera on top so make sure it's sturdy.