L558 aperture priority + cord flash

[arpi]

Hi

I just got the sekonic L558R and I am practicing and trying to set aperture-priority mode with cord-flash mode at the same time but it looks like it is not possible. When I set it to cord-flash mode it always defaults to shutter-priority mode. When I set it to aperture-priority it defaults to ambient mode. Is there a way to used aperture-priority & cord-flash both at the same time (maybe I din't read the manual right)? it may be the same as the L358.

Sorry if it is a dummy question

TX

[arpi]

The reason I am asking this is because if it is in ambient-mode, it will not trigger the flash connected to the PC. I want to trigger the flash at the same time I use aperture-priority mode.

TX

[Todd Jacobsen]

I ran into this situation with the L358. I wanted to set apeture and it would only let me set shutter. This impacts only the transmit methods of the lightmeter.

When you utilize the lightmeter, for either transmit method (RF transmitter, cord), the real data you need to set is shutter speed, not apeture. The very fact that you are triggering your camera(s) via the lightmeter, in essence, means you need to be shooting manual.

You have probably noticed that once you get the reading (at an established shutter speed), you can toggle the lightmeter to find other combinations, based off of that reading.

I have been told to establish a shutter speed of 250 and vary occordingly to achieve the perferred apeture (or calculate it yourself, via stepping down/up stops according). Since shutter and apeture are inverse steps of each other, although annoying, is not too difficult to figure out.

If you are attempting to utilize ETTL, you will find that the lightmeter will trigger off of the pre-flash and it will provide a false reading (it provides you the pre-flash data).

[arpi]

thanks for your input. I've always put my camera in manual using the meter readings. I would like to use something like 1.4-2.8 aperture to get some bokeh and I want to trigger the flash (to measure settings) and play with different power outputs of the light (studio light, non ETTL). I tried the wheel but it goes out of range quick (maximum f4 - at medium power light), I guess I was expecting to much :) in my first time using it. What is a good way to get bokeh with studio lights using my light meter? I am looking for 'white face' and bokeh or other cool settings.

TX

[arpi]

I saw in a forum that if you use density filters, you can use more light with the studio lights and also get more bokeh (using higher apertures)