How to get proper exposure with no light meter?

My question is how do I figure out what aperture I'm supposed to set my camera to in a multi light setup with no light meter.

I wont be able to get my hands on a L-358 for a month or so.

Pick one, like picking winning numbers on the roulette table!

Unlike roulette, you can use histogram to help you dial in via repeated trial and error.

What kind of external lights are you talking about?

If they're strobes (like the 430ex) then just use that 580ex in ETTL mode with the 430(s) as slaves. Put your camera in manual, choose whatever creative exposure settings you desire and fire away. The ETTL will compensate for ambient light and fill in accordingly.

RT McAllister wrote in post #9271029
What kind of external lights are you talking about?

If they're strobes (like the 430ex) then just use that 580ex in ETTL mode with the 430(s) as slaves. Put your camera in manual, choose whatever creative exposure settings you desire and fire away. The ETTL will compensate for ambient light and fill in accordingly.

Canon's ETTL system can be so inconsistent some times. I would suggest using the histogram (chimp and shoot).

jeromego wrote in post #9271073
Canon's ETTL system can be so inconsistent some times. I would suggest using the histogram (chimp and shoot).

Yes, in a studio setting with all kinds of time but kind of hard to do at a live event.

there is a page on my tutorial site that describes how I fine tune exposure using a Color Checker.
Similar technique using a white paper towel will work as well.

Histogram is generally the easiest with quick results.

I'm using Alien Bees. I was hoping there was a mathematical way of doing it or something besides chimp and shoot. But if that is the only way then I guess I will do that.

If you're using AB lights check out the Cybercommander. I upgraded my old receivers the the "+" units, bought the Cybercommander, and came in around the same price as the Sekonic meter I was looking at.
While I'm sure the Sekonic meters are better at metering than the Cybercommander, since that's all their designed to do, I now have metering and the ability to make changes to my lighting setup remotely.
It sure beats all of the running around changing light settings.

What is the aversion to using a light meter? Just get one and make your life easier not to mention looking more professional when shooting events, shooting and chimping to get exposure correct looks very amateurish and does not instill confidence from your client.

majin tcz wrote in post #9272878
I'm using Alien Bees. I was hoping there was a mathematical way of doing it or something besides chimp and shoot. But if that is the only way then I guess I will do that.

Flashes often come with a stated Guide Number. This assumes the standard reflector and full power setting. Once you depart from the standard reflector (umbrella or softbox, for example) the provided guide number is no longer valid. And lower power setting are similarly not valid for that provided guide number.

Example: Guide Number at full power = 200, guide number at 1/2 power = 140, guide number at 1/4 power = 100, guide number at 1/8 power = 70

Guide Number = f/stop * light-to-subject distance


To not use a meter = waste of your client's time!!!

Wilt wrote in post #9276823
To not use a meter = waste of your client's time!!!

++1

Chuck Gerdner's white towel method:

http://forums.dpreview​.com …rum=1025&messag​e=20168236

I like the photovision target. Check my sig. With a little practice you can set up multi camera light setups easily. Some people on POTN seem to think that using something like this is overly tedious. I don't see how it's any more tedious than using a light meter. It's just what you're used to doing. If you don't have a light meter, then I'm guessing you're not set in your ways. I would suggest giving this a try. If you decide to buy i would recommend searching around to find a better price than the actual photovision site. Check adorama.

Check the video on the photovision site for more info.

111t wrote in post #9280096
I like the photovision target. Check my sig. With a little practice you can set up multi camera light setups easily. Some people on POTN seem to think that using something like this is overly tedious. I don't see how it's any more tedious than using a light meter.

Check the video on the photovision site for more info.

Anything that takes more than 3-5 seconds (which is the amount of time to use a meter with a studio flash and get a perfect exposure measurement) is too tedious and time consuming when there is a paying client waiting for you. BTW, I do own a Photovision, but it is never used for studio flash because the meter is better and faster.