Do you use a light meter?

So I am curious. Who owns (and uses) a light meter? If you do not, how do you ensure consistent results? Especially with multiple lights. And please, be elaborate. I'm seriously considering buying one because I can't stand it when I do a shoot, things look good on screen and then I have to increase the exposure by a stop in post because things are actually too dark. Further more, now I've just added a couple new lights so I will be working with 3-4 at a time. I assume a light meter will speed things up significantly. If you disagree, please, explain how you go about setting up your lights and knowing what power/camera settings to use.

Use to all the time but don't bother anymore. I still have two old ones in a photo bag somewhere. These days it's so much easier to shoot a test picture, check the histogram and make adjustments. Back in the film days when you got no feedback until developed, it was much more important. These days, if you have the time to meter the situation, you have the time to shoot a test pic. Should have added an option, use to but not any more.

In the extreme conditions that some of your shoots happen in I would think that a meter and judicious use of the histogram would be an issue. As bright as the snowboard work is you simply cant rely on the LCD screen as its so biased in viewing conditions.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17049290
In the extreme conditions that some of your shoots happen in I would think that a meter and judicious use of the histogram would be an issue. As bright as the snowboard work is you simply cant rely on the LCD screen as its so biased in viewing conditions.

For snowboarding I've learned to expose for my ambient based on my histogram and/or I enable the option in camera that makes blown highlights blink on screen. But now I've just purchased 3 moonlights and already own a couple speedlights. I'm just concerned that it will be complicated to setup a key light, 2 kickers, a hair and background light with out a meter. Or once at the very least, just quite time consuming.

Yes, but what your histogram cant tell you is how much different your ambient is from your flash, and you can get that with a flashmeter. Look at the sekonic L358 which shows the flash exposure as a percentage of the total exposure. Once you find a balance you like you can repeat it at will.

a few test shots and chimping with the histogram works well enough for me.

gonzogolf wrote in post #17049319
Yes, but what your histogram cant tell you is how much different your ambient is from your flash, and you can get that with a flashmeter. Look at the sekonic L358 which shows the flash exposure as a percentage of the total exposure. Once you find a balance you like you can repeat it at will.

Very interesting. I didn't know about the % bit. Good to know. Thanks gonzo.

I think for film, they were vital! With digital, you don't have to get it right first time, it's quicker to just fire off a couple of test shots.

beano wrote in post #17049353
I think for film, they were vital! With digital, you don't have to get it right first time, it's quicker to just fire off a couple of test shots.

Not quicker. Nor as accurate. Wait until you have a client at a sitting and you have to fire off of a series of test shots to dial in a shot.

When I'm shooting "in studio" and 100% manual, I use my light meter. To me, it is much easier than shooting test shots and crimping.

If Im outside, Im not nearly as concerned about exposure because im usually shooting in AV mode. Im more concerned about Depth,The camera does that for me to I dont use outside at all. But Gonz is very right, its nice to know the percentages when your starting out. For me, i want enough fill to take the shadows out of the eye sockets and Im good to go.

In studio and I use it all the time. Especially setting up. I need to know that my kickers are 2/3 over my main and my fill rations are 3:1 with the main light. Sure, you can fire of 10 or 15 test shots and look real imcompeteent to a client. I would rather take 5 minutes and set it right and fire of 1 or 2 test shots

In all honesty, when im outside that means im usually covering a wedding. I just dont have enough time to meter with a light meter when im running and gunning for 10 hrs. The camera are just too good so its really not necessary for event work. Most of the time your using a flash OCF for fill so its pretty easy with remote triggers to snap off a shot and raise flash exposure from the back of the camera. ETTL is a big help.

Use mine often, but not all the time. Depends on the situation and job.

....i chimp'stogram all the time.

chesterjohnphoto wrote in post #17049855
....i chimp'stogram all the time.

Can you go into detail about how you would do this with multiple lights if, let's say for example: You want your kickers 1 stop above key?

Have one. Use it. It makes setting up the lights quick and easy, especially when I already know what ratios I want to use between the lights. I can use the meter to see where my highlights and shadows are falling without firing a shot.