Light Meters...

netronelson · 19-11-2009, 11:37 AM

Hi There, I'm looking for a bit of help on the strobist set up theme

I just ran a Pro-Portrait session with the camera club I run at work, which was a great success...

The Pro-photographer brought 2 full studio set ups and we had a model pose (all safe for work, since it was at work!!) - the Pro-tog talking through their routine and showing the results and we each had a go...

it was fantastic - but I never placed such emphasis on the light meter before, and she said it is the single most important bit of kit she uses!

Now, this was obviously with studio lights etc - but, is this something I should invest in?

What are the good ones? stuff to look out for when shopping?

Cheers folks...

Nelson.

eddiewood · 19-11-2009, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netronelson

Hi There,

I just ran a Pro-Portrait session with the camera club I run at work, which was a great success...

The Pro-photographer brought 2 full studio set ups and we had a model pose (all safe for work, since it was at work!!) - the Pro-tog talking through their routine and showing the results and we each had a go...

it was fantastic - but I never placed such emphasis on the light meter before, and she said it is the single most important bit of kit she uses!

Now, this was obviously with studio lights etc - but, is this something I should invest in?

What are the good ones? stuff to look out for when shopping?

Cheers folks...

Nelson.

The only time I use my meter is with studio flash, I let the camera meter anything else.

I can highly recommend the Sekonic L358 but would not have one if I didn't use studio flash.

OrbitalPete · 19-11-2009, 1:29 PM

Yeah, if you do a lot of studio photography it may be worth looking at. however, in any other situation I rely on in-camera light metering; the extra time and complexity of using a light meter in the real world may often mean you miss the shot you were aiming for.

netronelson · 20-11-2009, 8:57 PM

Hmm. Thanks for that.

What I liked about the light meter was how it told you what settings to start from, and then you can tweak to get the shot youwant.

I got my 430exii for Xmas last year and still have no clue how to use it (other than stick it on auto, and bounce off the roof). I'm hoping that icN get a combo of stuff this Xmas and actually then be able to use it properly... So ...

Am I right in thinking I can(kind of) recreate a one lamp studio with my flash with the following?

A hot shoe adapter for the flash (so I can then sync the clash to both the light meter and camera. Not at the same time obviously!)
a flash bracket thing to connect it to a light stand
a light stand

The question I have is, will there be any need for syncing the set up with a cable since I have the canon st e2 wireless trigger too?

Or am I just miles away with the whole set up since I'm asking too much from the 430...

Please help!!

netronelson · 20-11-2009, 9:00 PM

Oo and an umbrella and or soft box...

Dman77 · 22-11-2009, 8:18 AM

I have a Sekonic L-408, but only EVER use it for studio photography of which I do a lot with a home set up. It's essential and I couldn't live without it. I've never used it outside though, maybe I'll try but it's not something I'd ever buy for outdoor use personally.

Gordon @ Convergent AV · 22-11-2009, 11:19 AM

i've got the little Sekonic thing too. I was on a course at SWPP convention last Jan/Feb where two highly respected photographers were teaching. One swore blind that if you didn't use a meter you were an idiot. The other never used a meter. Both produced great work. I think the difference between the two is that the guy who never used a meter, Trevor Yerbury (look him up), only seems to use one studio light source while the other guy, Damian McGillicudy, uses multiple light sources. The meter allows you to work out the relative balance of multiple lights quickly.

So the answer as to whether you need one would seem to depend on what you want to achieve and where. As to which....i just went for the cheapest that would give me the info i needed. I think if I did it again I might buy a bigger one with more gradation of info on it.

Gordon

netronelson · 24-11-2009, 12:19 PM

Thanks for this - i've just bought the Sekonic L-358 for £100 from eBay... this way i'll get to play with it a little before wrapping it up from santa...

Yeah, the 2 pro-togs at the workshop had different opinions - one swore blind and one didn't own one... saying 'there's nothing wrong with trial and error - that way, you'll just build up experience and soon enough you don't need so much Error'...

I think i'm going to favour the starting place that the light meter will give me... we'll see... if it doesn't, expect to see a Sekonic L358 in the sales forum soon !

Nelson.

eddiewood · 24-11-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by netronelson

Thanks for this - i've just bought the Sekonic L-358 for £100 from eBay... this way i'll get to play with it a little before wrapping it up from santa...

Yeah, the 2 pro-togs at the workshop had different opinions - one swore blind and one didn't own one... saying 'there's nothing wrong with trial and error - that way, you'll just build up experience and soon enough you don't need so much Error'...

I think i'm going to favour the starting place that the light meter will give me... we'll see... if it doesn't, expect to see a Sekonic L358 in the sales forum soon !

Nelson.

Check that it is calibrated against your cameras spot meter. You may find it underexposing, or it may have already been adjusted by the previous owner and wrong!

Page 26 of the manual, here's the manual if you don't have it:

Sekonic Manuals