how do you use an external light meter?

how do you use an external light meter? I am still a newb.

First it is necessary to understand that there are two types of 'external' light meters...one is like the one in your camera and reads reflected light; the other is unlike the one in your camera and reads incident light (light falling upon the scene).

Next it is necessary to understand that both reflected and incident external meters can read ambient light (again like your camera), and often they also can read studio flash (unlike your camera) or speedlights (like you camera).

The advantage of incident meters is that they are never fooled by subjects which are brighter than 18% gray tonality or darker than 18% gray tonality. Your camera meter needs to use EC (exposure compensation) to not be fooled by subjects and scenes which are not 18% gray average, and you have to guess about how much EC to dial in.

Flash meters let you meter flash units which your Canon camera cannot (it can only control exposure with ETTL compatible flash units).

Some good stuff here - http://sekonic.com/cla​ssroom/classroom.asp

I use my Sekonic when I'm using my speedlights OFF camera in a controlled "studio-like" setting. I set up my flashes on stands, fire them, and the meter tells me which aperture I need to set my camera to to get proper exposure.

Are you just asking, or do you already have one? And do you have something specifically in mind to shoot that's giving you problems?
There's a way go get a pretty good incident reading with your camera: Need an exposure crutch?

PhotosGuy wrote in post #10215273
There's a way go get a pretty good incident reading with your camera: Need an exposure crutch?

I think you mean reflected reading not incident .

e-k

E-K wrote in post #10217029
I think you mean reflected reading not incident .

e-k

Yes & no. Using a known standard to measure the intensity makes the end result the same.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #10215273
Are you just asking, or do you already have one? And do you have something specifically in mind to shoot that's giving you problems?
There's a way go get a pretty good incident reading with your camera: Need an exposure crutch?

I am just doing research for now.

PhotosGuy wrote in post #10219138
Yes & no. Using a known standard to measure the intensity makes the end result the same.

I see what you are saying, but it would be better to use the correct term given the OP says they're new to it.

e-k

E-K wrote in post #10220307
I see what you are saying, but it would be better to use the correct term given the OP says they're new to it.

ANY reading taken with the meter in a camera IS a reflected-light reading. Using a gray card for a target does not change the fact that the meter is reading light reflected from the gray card.

While using a reflected light meter along with a gray card as a target will give you a similar reading to that measured with a true incident meter, it does not change the fact that the meter in the camera is a reflected-light meter.

Measurebaters... gotta' love 'em! Maybe I should have said, "pretty good equivalent to a incident reading". Will that work for you?

This has nothing to do with measurebating and everything to do with avoiding confusion . Yes, your other wording would have avoided any confusion--especially for someone just getting to know the terms.

e-k

SkipD wrote in post #10220712
ANY reading taken with the meter in a camera IS a reflected-light reading. Using a gray card for a target does not change the fact that the meter is reading light reflected from the gray card.

I'm aware of that and that is why I was trying to politely suggest use of the correct term

e-k