Comments on: Why I’m sold on using a Light Meter

By: Natasha Lambert

Natasha Lambert — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 17:45:46 +0000

Thank you for the information. I was wondering if the specs of the Sekonic L-758DR comparable to the Cl-200A Chroma Meter ? I've recently caught the light meterbug, but I could definitely use a hand.

By: Friday News: Workshops, Facebook & Light Meters » Glyn Dewis

Friday News: Workshops, Facebook & Light Meters » Glyn Dewis — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 03:43:10 +0000

[...] I’ve since had the lens repaired by Nikon (costing £266) but if you missed the full story you can check it out here [Link] [...]

By: Latest News Plus Odds n’ Sods » Glyn Dewis

Latest News Plus Odds n’ Sods » Glyn Dewis — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:39:38 +0000

[...] If you missed the story behind the ‘broken’ lens you can check it out here [Link] [...]

By: 'Why I'm Sold On Using A Light Meter' - Micro Four Thirds User Forum

'Why I'm Sold On Using A Light Meter' - Micro Four Thirds User Forum — Fri, 14 Sep 2012 01:42:08 +0000

[...] [...]

By: gray

gray — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 11:57:42 +0000

old school rules dude. they had light meters for a reason

By: Glyn

Glyn — Tue, 04 Sep 2012 07:31:43 +0000

Totally with you here Matt. The first time I used a light meter was last week with Frank and whereas I adjusted the light after the fact it mainly helped me setup quicker. Definitely something to explore more but as to say, the reading it gives initially can be a little flat.

Cheers,
Glyn

By: David Rogers

David Rogers — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:01:36 +0000

@Nicholas
That makes perfect sense. In a multi-scene, high volume environment such as a wedding or product shoot, the custom white balance is an excellent approach.
I’d wager, most of Glyn’s fans shoot a more individual approach. So, true, the horse indeed is dictated by the course. Shoot happy.

By: Nicholas Hopkins

Nicholas Hopkins — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 13:32:04 +0000

@ David
Re 18% grey card….I find that when shooting weddings the colour temp can change dramatically from scene to scene be it inside or outdoors, a two minute custom white balance reading with a grey card gives me accurate exposure and true colour temp which in turn cuts down my post process work….I guess it’s horses for courses in terms of what you shoot and where….
For me personally the grey card will not be ditched

By: David Rogers

David Rogers — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 02:37:23 +0000

You should fire your assistant.

I have owned a light meter for so long it doesn’t have anything fancy on it. But what it does right is predict an exposure. Since turning digital most all photographers I work with simply use the back of the camera or the monitor.

The question I have always posed is, “is your monitor calibrated?”. The fact that RAW data allows for so much freedom and in turn error has made the humble light meter dormant, if one was owned at all.

Its a shame, but then its the world we live in and accept, but just like an A-Clamp or a short roll of Gaffer’s tape, a light meter should be in every assistants bag, even if its not in the photographers bag.

Its useful for post shoot philosophical discussions too.

A note to Nicholas: A traditional Gray card used for film exposure is purely for “exposure” values. While its more useful than a a sheet of blue wrapping paper, an 18% Gray card is not spectrally accurate (unlike a Gretag Macbeth card) which is where color balance or white balance comes in. Having said that, unless color accuracy is extremely important in your workflow I would ditch the 18% gray card as most color evaluations are made long after the exposure in post work.

By: Clive Litchfield

Clive Litchfield — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 20:16:34 +0000

Hi Glyn

I’d be lost without one, back of the LCD just doesn’t cut it. It’s bang on every time, if you want to tweak from there, fill your boots.