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Thread started 05 Jun 2010 (Saturday) 22:27
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Who uses a light meter?

 
PhotosByT
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Jun 05, 2010 22:27 |  #1

I keep reading about light meters.. and I'm thinking it will help me (get rid of those extra trial and error clicks) :)

Does everybody own one?




  
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Photon ­ Phil
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Jun 05, 2010 22:51 |  #2

For a controlled situation you can't beat it. For a manual film body you can't beat it. For most other things you have a few moments to do test shots and chimp.

I went without one for years and now will never go without one. It actually teaches you to think more about the triangle of exposure factors. I like using the the EV feature in which I can test my personal guess as to what the light is and what the meter says.


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bobbyz
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Jun 07, 2010 15:38 |  #3

I use one.


Fuji XT-1, 18-55mm
Sony A7rIV, , Tamron 28-200mm, Sigma 40mm f1.4 Art FE, Sony 85mm f1.8 FE, Sigma 105mm f1.4 Art FE
Fuji GFX50s, 23mm f4, 32-64mm, 45mm f2.8, 110mm f2, 120mm f4 macro
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PhotosByT
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Jun 09, 2010 23:37 |  #4

So, not a lot of people use it?




  
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jerdan
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Jun 13, 2010 07:43 |  #5

I use one and love it


2-5d mark2,7d, 100mm 2.8,70-200 2.8 L,17-40 F4 L,50mm 1.2L,24-105,55, 50 1.2L,85 1.8,15mm2.8, 580ex2,430ex2, canon cpe4 battery packs,Canon 2x extender,Pocket wizards flex&mini,2 ab800,vagabond mini,C stands,ab beauty dish,28''apollo,50''ap​ollo,ab medium softboxes.

  
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mcluckie
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Jun 13, 2010 07:50 |  #6

I've got an old Gossen UltraPro that I use with my Profotos. I sometimes carried a Soligor spot meter with me outside, but never used it. If you just be careful about where you meter (do an AE lock somewhere deep), then recompose, you'll be fine. Days of being 1/3 off and screwed are over. If you were on a tripod and doing film, yeah, sure. Maybe if I did more landscapes I'd get more use out of it today.


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scotteisenphotography
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Jun 13, 2010 07:56 |  #7

use one


2X Canon 1Dx|Canon 1D Mark IV|Canon 5D Mark III|14mm 2.8L II|16-35mm 2.8L II|24mm 1.4L II|35mm 1.4L|50mm 1.2L |85mm 1.2L II|70-200 2.8L IS|200mm 2.0L IS|300mm 2.8L IS|400mm 2.8L IS|800mm 5.6L IS| 580EX II| 600EX RT II|

  
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mensur
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Jun 13, 2010 08:52 |  #8

I have one but I've gradually stopped using it since moving to digital. Anymore I prefer to just look at my lcd.


5D2, 85F1.8, 24-105, 70-200F4, 100L, 580EX
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mcluckie
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Jun 13, 2010 09:18 |  #9

I have one but I've gradually stopped using it since moving to digital. Anymore I prefer to just look at my lcd.

You can get an exposure from looking at your LCD? Assuming you mean after the shot (and then what about before?), what about ambient influence?


multidisciplinary visual guy, professor of visual art, irresponsible and salty.
Leicas, Canons, Hasselblads
all and historic dingus

  
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QueenChatty
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Jun 13, 2010 09:23 as a reply to  @ mcluckie's post |  #10

I don't have one yet but...I am going to order the Sekonic L358 next week.
I have been lucky that a pro photographer has been training me on studio work and I can only tell you that it is awesome to have one as it makes things so much easier and faster to get the light right the first time instead of guessing or using the camera features.


5D MarkII | 50D Canon 17-40mm|55-250 | 60mm Macro | 50mm 1.4 | 24-105L IS | 580EXII | 70-200L F2.8 IS II | Ultra Zap 800 |StarFlash 300 X2 | AB 400X 2 Flickr  (external link)

  
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D ­ Thompson
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Jun 13, 2010 11:43 |  #11

I use the Sekonic L308s.


Dennis
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egordon99
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Jun 14, 2010 08:35 as a reply to  @ D Thompson's post |  #12

I use one whenever I use my flashes off-camera.




  
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Rubi ­ Jane
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Jun 14, 2010 08:49 |  #13

I use one for studio work & off-camera flash to nail the exposures and ratios I want. I also use it in settings where there is multiple light sources such as a strong backlight, over head lights and then my flash. An example is when I'm shooting in an industrial location and the overhead bay door is open with light pouring in and I need to expose the interior, I'll often do two exposures and layer. The light meter allows me to not use guesstimates and trial & error. Another time I'll use it is for longer exposures with natural light.

I don't use it for general shooting and rely on the in-camera meter which is very accurate.


Lindsey
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Bilsen
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Jun 14, 2010 08:51 as a reply to  @ Rubi Jane's post |  #14

I shoot almost exclusively outdoors, no flash and the Sekonic L-358 is always with me.


BILSEN (the artist formerly known as John Galt NY)
Canon 600D/T3i; 70D & 1D Mk2
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HeleneD
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Jun 16, 2010 09:25 |  #15

I only use it when I'm doing OCF since the meter in your camera isn't going to help (although I usually come pretty close to guessing w/o the meter). You can chimp to get it where you want but the meter just makes everything faster.


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Who uses a light meter?
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