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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Lighting => Topic started by: Greg Boiarsky on February 09, 2007, 12:10

Title: light meter help
Post by: Greg Boiarsky on February 09, 2007, 12:10
I need a light/flash meter.

What light meter do you use, if any?  I'm considering a Sekonic L-308s.  It has great press and is relatively inexpensive, but lacks features like a light analyzer to help balance ambient light and flash.  Does anyone have experience with this meter, or any other, that might help me with my choice?
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: hatman12 on February 09, 2007, 14:24
I don't know about flash, but for all other situations when I feel the lighting might confuse my Nikon's internal meter, I use a rare, highly technical and unique item....

..... the back of my left hand.

Works every time, probably because it equates to 18% grey.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: eendicott on February 09, 2007, 14:56
....along those lines, this article may be of interest:

http://www.stockasylum.com/text-pages/column/jtt21-022007-plane.htm (http://www.stockasylum.com/text-pages/column/jtt21-022007-plane.htm)

ProfessorGB - I'm in the same boat you are and have been shopping for a couple of months.  Everyone tells me to buy the Sekonic you mention as well.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: Greg Boiarsky on February 09, 2007, 15:10
Yeah--it looks like a good deal.  It seems a bit pricey until I consider how many thousands I've already put into my kit.  And, I need it.

I'll let you know how it works when it arrives.

....along those lines, this article may be of interest:

[url]http://www.stockasylum.com/text-pages/column/jtt21-022007-plane.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.stockasylum.com/text-pages/column/jtt21-022007-plane.htm[/url])

ProfessorGB - I'm in the same boat you are and have been shopping for a couple of months.  Everyone tells me to buy the Sekonic you mention as well.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: leaf on February 09, 2007, 15:16
....along those lines, this article may be of interest:

[url]http://www.stockasylum.com/text-pages/column/jtt21-022007-plane.htm[/url] ([url]http://www.stockasylum.com/text-pages/column/jtt21-022007-plane.htm[/url])

ProfessorGB - I'm in the same boat you are and have been shopping for a couple of months.  Everyone tells me to buy the Sekonic you mention as well.


great read :)

the Sekonic L-308s can't do spot metering though can it?  i have been thinking about a light meter a bit recently.  this one looks pretty nice.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: leaf on February 09, 2007, 15:18
ah yes, spot metering ups the anty a bit ... a couple hundred $$'s more.

spot meter at b&H (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=907&A=details&Q=&sku=359423&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: Greg Boiarsky on February 09, 2007, 16:56
It does up the price.  But, I also don't need spot metering now that I have the 30D.  I really only need the new meter for when I'm using my studio lights.

ah yes, spot metering ups the anty a bit ... a couple hundred $$'s more.

spot meter at b&H ([url]http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=907&A=details&Q=&sku=359423&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation[/url])
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: MiguelAngelo on February 09, 2007, 20:00
I use one Minolta (I don't remember the model and it's not here) but I've heard good things about the Sekonic.
I only use the Minolta because I also have one underwater housing for it, and It always go with me when I dive.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: leaf on February 10, 2007, 12:51
ooohh underwater photography.  What type of housing do you have for your camera?  and lights?

it was nice to have the portfolio links now to take a look at some of your pics.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: Grizzlybear on February 19, 2007, 04:54
I don't know about flash, but for all other situations when I feel the lighting might confuse my Nikon's internal meter, I use a rare, highly technical and unique item....

..... the back of my left hand.

Works every time, probably because it equates to 18% grey.

back of your left hand would be 36%grey - you would need to open up one stop-anyway kodak reckon that 13% grey is the correct mid-tone, regards, grizzlybear
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: Grizzlybear on February 19, 2007, 04:58
Hi, I use a Polaris 2 flash meter,for reflected and incident readings,wired or wireless flash reading,and multiple flash readings-excellent value, $430 in New Zealand, maybe $150-$200 in U.S, regards,grizzlybear
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: mjp on February 19, 2007, 13:25
Hi,

I ordered SEKONIC L-358 light meter last week to help me get correct lightning ratios with studio lights (I shoot about 90% of my work within studio like environment in my living room :) )).

I found out that it is very hard to get lights powered correctly with on-camera meter (canon rebel xti). So I hope I can get better exposures.

I did not order any spot meter accessories to it, but this meter has option to use one of these external accessories (+150$). I try to post my initial comments when I receive the meter in 2-3 weeks.

br, Mikko P.

Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: leaf on February 20, 2007, 07:31
Looks nice, I am interested to hear what you think of it.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: Greg Boiarsky on February 20, 2007, 21:06
My Sekonic L-308s arrived today and it works just fine.  Very easy to use and works just fine with my lights.

It seems to be a touch flimsier that I would like, but for studio work it should be just great.  I'm glad I bought it.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: Greg Boiarsky on February 20, 2007, 21:39
Oh, and another thing.  Taking pictures of yourself to test your lights, meter, or lenses will reveal two horrific things:  You look older than you think you do, and you look more like your parents than you think you do.

Ick.
Title: Re: light meter help
Post by: eendicott on February 20, 2007, 21:49
...Must be the light meter  >:(