light meters for dummies?

anyone know of a generic how to, on using light meters? i see lots about specific light meters but i have no idea on which one i'd end up getting so i'd like to have atleast some understanding of using one before footing the bill for one.

check out these two videos.

http://www.adorama.com …g-A-Light-Meter-AdoramaTV


http://www.adorama.com​/alc/article/Metering-Part-4

Here's an article I think is very informative. Although it references film it is still applicable to digital images..... you can even save it as a PDF file: http://www.kodak.com …/techInfo/af9/i​ndex.shtml

And we have no idea what you'll end up shooting with it?
For me & what I shoot, this works fairly well: Need an exposure crutch?

i want it to help understand and learn studio lighting and ocf

The Outlaw wrote in post #12413072
i want it to help understand and learn studio lighting and ocf

I bought a used sekonic l-358 on here. My reasoning was the exact you stated. It works well and is easy to use. So far I'm pleased with it. If you want one that's smaller and a little cheaper, check out the l-308s. Those were my two finalists.

i just need a cheap one to learn with. at this point in my life i dont think it'll ever be a tool i use much but i would like to have the ability to use one if i ever need to. maybe i'll like it enough that i'll use it all the time who knows.

i'll check those out.

The Outlaw wrote in post #12413072
i want it to help understand and learn studio lighting and ocf

What do you mean by "studio lighting"? That could refer to several different types of light sources. The basic differences, as related to metering, are related to whether the light sources are continuous lighting or flash units. Inexpensive old meters may not be able to measure the light from studio flash units which are very popular in photo studios today.

What do you mean by "ocf"? If you are referring to Canon Speedlites (or their clones) and using automated ETTL control for exposure, then there is no handheld meter that will be even the least bit useful for that.

thaought maybe it may be easier to replicate shots when i cant leave my lights and backdrops setup or even if i have to use a different light or modifier to try to get the same effect also for when using strobes outside and speedlights in manual mode outdoors thought that with a light meter it would be easier have an idea where settings need to be so i have to play around less each time i setup.

The Outlaw wrote in post #12416228
thaought maybe it may be easier to replicate shots when i cant leave my lights and backdrops setup or even if i have to use a different light or modifier to try to get the same effect also for when using strobes outside and speedlights in manual mode outdoors thought that with a light meter it would be easier have an idea where settings need to be so i have to play around less each time i setup.

That thinking is correct. A handheld light meter which can be used for measuring light from flash sources is extremely useful when working with manually adjusted flash lighting systems - including Speedlites that are used in a purely manual mode. Both the camera and the light sources need to be in manual mode.

When you start using automated exposure control with flash systems such as Speedlites (in ETTL mode, for example), the handheld meter becomes useless.

I highly recommend the Sekonic L-358. Their L-308 can also function well but the L-358 has several features that make it my choice. These include the ability to swivel the sensor head in the direction needed without changing your position to read the display as well as being able to show the ratio between available (continuous) light and that from the flash source(s).