Lastolite’s HiLite Background

mattograph wrote in post #6905407
Am I missing the boat with this thing by NOT using a light meter?

A light meter would make it a lot easier and faster to set up your shots, Matt! I'd consider buying one, if I were in your shoes...

Hey, maybe someone could loan me one! I could send you my mailing address!

mattograph wrote in post #6905407
Am I missing the boat with this thing by NOT using a light meter?

To be blunt... yes Matt, you are. Chimping and the strobist approach is fine for some things but when you need to really control light and have exact quantities there is no substitute for a light meter.

So, what should the "hopeful hobbiest" buy?

Sekonic L-358. Best all-round meter on the market, IMO.

Rudi wrote in post #6905727
Sekonic L-358. Best all-round meter on the market, IMO.

Not the best but certainly the most popular and best value. I can't live without the 1 degree spot metering on the L-758DR and you can get all the same features from the L-758DR in the L-558R (minus the custom profiling) and there are used ones floating around at very good prices. Adding spot metering attachments to the L-358 is expensive and inconvenient. The reflective disc that comes with the L-358 has a 54 degree field of view so it's not practical for spot metering or taking reflective readings from a background or if you were going to spot meter a highlight or shadow to evaluate exposure based on the zone system.

Well, I didn't mean the best at everything (even though it might have come across as that), but I do think it's the best meter for today's digital world. Since I don't shoot film any more, I do not need the precision of a 1 degree spot meter. The in-camera spot meter, with an assortment of lenses, is more than enough (for me).

Rudi wrote in post #6906076
Well, I didn't mean the best at everything (even though it might have come across as that), but I do think it's the best meter for today's digital world. Since I don't shoot film any more, I do not need the precision of a 1 degree spot meter. The in-camera spot meter, with an assortment of lenses, is more than enough (for me).

I knew that Rudi. Just having fun with you

I was actually going to buy the 758, not that long ago, since I was offered a great deal and I kinda thought: "why not?". Then I saw how much larger than the 358 it is, and I calmed down again.

Rudi wrote in post #6906261
I was actually going to buy the 758, not that long ago, since I was offered a great deal and I kinda thought: "why not?". Then I saw how much larger than the 358 it is, and I calmed down again.

i rather like the more significant size of the 758....now I just have to learn to properly use the darn thing.

edit: to keep this on topic, I do believe santa has found that as #1 on my wishlist (also conveniently the only thing on my wishlist....i don't like to give santa much room for error), I put the hilite. So, without being overly presumptuous...I'm pretty confident I'll be able to post some samples in the coming weeks. Fingers are crossed and cookies have already been put out for santa. Think they might get stale?

Hey Cathpah,

I look forward to seeing your shots taken with the HiLite.

Cathpah wrote in post #6906429
i rather like the more significant size of the 758....now I just have to learn to properly use the darn thing.

With the amount of stuff that I already cart to location shoots at the moment, if I don't need the extra features then I will take the smaller size every time!

Rudi wrote in post #6906517
With the amount of stuff that I already cart to location shoots at the moment, if I don't need the extra features then I will take the smaller size every time!

It seems that no matter how hard we try to keep the size and weight of the location rig down, it's always a monster.

So this would be okay?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …8_Flash_Master_​Meter.html

mattograph wrote in post #6906656
So this would be okay?

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …8_Flash_Master_​Meter.html

That would be an excellent meter Matt. If you don't mind buying used gear those can be had for ~$200 these days.