Light Meters, what to get?

[2seta1year]

So I want to invest in a light meter, but I am new to the concept. I don't need something too fancy, but I do want one that is digital. I would primarily be using it for:

*in house (various lighting) locations that I would need to adjust for
*outdoor posed shots (for the action shots I am assuming no need?)
*shots using my portable studio that would be used indoors, I have two umbrella's with bulbs.

I just need something to help with making sure that the lighting is correct so that I am not photoshopping levels for every photo which is what I feel like I am doing now.

The local photography store recommended going to KEH.com (since they had nothing instock after being broken into) and looking at the Sekonic L-358 or 558 OR the Minolta Autometer VF. However I am worried that he assumed that I do all interior shots which when the weather is nice I avoid. I would much rather be outside, but Wisconsin winters prevent that, thus in the house we go.

TIA...

[Samanax]

I recently got the Sekonic L-358 and really like how it took the guess work out of doing strobist shots. Most of my shooting buddies are using it and no one was complaining so I picked one up too and I'm really glad I did.

[wulf]

Don't you get pretty close with the camera's built in metering and then on the money after reviewing the first shot or two? I know some photographers love them but with the built in metering and instant review on a digital SLR I still remain to be convinced that metering, interpeting and setting the camera would save time or improve results compared to setting the camera, reviewing the shot and adjusting as required.

Wulf

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by wulf

Don't you get pretty close with the camera's built in metering and then on the money after reviewing the first shot or two? I know some photographers love them but with the built in metering and instant review on a digital SLR I still remain to be convinced that metering, interpeting and setting the camera would save time or improve results compared to setting the camera, reviewing the shot and adjusting as required.

I think that especially when using artifical lighting, one the main advantages to using a meter is being able to account for multiple areas of the composition. When our cameras matrix-meter, we don't know exactly what they're metering from; you'd have to spot meter and check all the different areas of your set with separate test photos.

So, in a basic example if you have a bowl of fruit still life lit from the side plus a reflector, you can meter the area where the primary light hits, wher ethe reflected light hits, in the shadows, under the bowl, etc. Relying on the camera's meter means either using matrix metering and hoping it's smart enough, or spot metering on each of those spots, taking a sample photo, reviewing, adjusting, etc.

Yeah, I think for most of the situations most of us are in, the camera's meter is sufficient, but people who want to get really serious and who may be shooting fairly complicated scenes (in terms of light/contrast) can benefit from a meter... as I understand it.

[wulf]

I can see that a separate meter might be very useful when using a lighting set up. What would be even more useful would be if you could take a picture and zoom into an area to see a histogram applying to that area. That would give you very useful information about the light in a specific area beyond just a raw number.

However, while I think it is a bright idea and would be possible, I'm not aware of any cameras that would let you do this!

Wulf

[equilution]

I don't know....I'd save my money. You've got two light meters above your nose!!! Learn the old-school way!

[sk66]

Sekonic is great, Minolta makes a really nice one as well.
You can also get an Expodisk (or make your own) and convert your camera's meter into an incident meter.

[lputman]

I just ordered a Sekonic L-308s. I think it will do fine for my limited lighting attempts.

[zona5101]

I have the L308s. It is perfect for what i use it for (measuring lights independently in a studio set up to attain a desired lighting ratio). I rarely ever use it outside of that purpose because it's just easier to shoot and chimp.