I finally GOT IT!

I finally got my SEKONIC-L358, I had to make sure it was well recommended by the pros, ok next question.

Is it really for studio shooting? I have a 20D, I put it at Time Value Setting (T) Do I choose the Shutter Speed? Is it auto? and the f/stop number sometimes my camera cant go that low or that high.

Can someone here in the PRO section give me a good overview on how to really work this thing, I know I can get a few resources on the net, but I know someone around here can really open this up for me, I know I put it to INCIDENT SETTING, since I dont have my lights yet, I am still thinking of which light to get.

At first glance, I thought placing infront of a subject, clicking the button, it will give me the exact reading and from that reading I set my camera settings.

SEKONIC METER - if I put it Shutter Priority (T) it makes me adjust the numbers on the RIGHT SIDE and upon clicking the buton only the numbers on the RIGHT side changes. If I put it on the Apperture Priority I have to change the numbers on the RIGHT and when clicking the button only the numbers on the LEFT side changes.

QUESTION - On my 20D I put it on TV I cant seem to adjust it and match it with the meter and so with the AV mode, should I put it to M?

So my basic struggle right now is making my 20D match my L-358

Insights PLEASE! - Thanks as usual!

Hi,
Congrats it's a wonderful meter.

You can use it everywhere you want.
ALTHOUGH using it in other settings as M will be difficult because the camera will do most of the work for you in Tv and Av.

I use the meter as follows (20D always on M)

1.
In the studio:
To measure ALL the flashes, point towards the flashes on the flash mode.
Choose a shuttertime which suits your shooting, I use 125/s for normal work and 200/s for action, higher that that and I get bad pictures due to the flash sync.
So you set the 125/s on the Sekonic and on the 20D.
Now measure the light and it will give you the Aperture.

2.
Outside or inside with mixed light:
Here I will first measure the available light and decide what I want for mix, 80% flash/20% normal light, or any other combination.
Now you can set your flash the same way as you did in the studio.
To double check what you have done you can check the mix percentage on the Sekonic.
However because I often work with backlighting (windows) the mix is not appliable (normal outside it works flawless).

Read the manual and try try try it will come together pretty quickly.

The ONLY way to use a camera with readings from a hand-held meter is to put the camera's exposure controls into fully manual mode - the M setting on the 20D's dial. There is no other way, as all the other dial settings are using the camera's meter for automatic setting of aperture, shutter speed, or both.