help me with meters!

[Rina Minca]

Hi! I just got a Canon DSLR, my first SLR and I was wondering how I know if the camera has ameter in it and how to view the meter reading if it does.
Also, handheld meters are so expensive, does anyone know where I would be able to get a new one for cheaper?

thanks for your help!

[OsmosisStudios]

The camera does have a reader in it. If you look through the viewfinder, it should look something like this:

- |---|---|---||---|---|---| +

That is your meter. If it fills up towards the right, you're overexposed, to the left, underexposed.

There are reasons to get an external meter, especially when dealing with flashes, but for 90% of the population, the in-camera meter is fine.

[LeeR]

You should be able to buy a good light meter on ebay for less than $10. Well worth the investment. If you want a flash or spot meter they'll be a bit extra but you are not likely to need one of those before you gain more experience.

[Rina Minca]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The camera does have a reader in it. If you look through the viewfinder, it should look something like this:

- |---|---|---||---|---|---| +

That is your meter. If it fills up towards the right, you're overexposed, to the left, underexposed.

There are reasons to get an external meter, especially when dealing with flashes, but for 90% of the population, the in-camera meter is fine.

Thank you so much, I was totally in the dark!

[Rina Minca]

Originally Posted by LeeR

You should be able to buy a good light meter on ebay for less than $10. Well worth the investment. If you want a flash or spot meter they'll be a bit extra but you are not likely to need one of those before you gain more experience.

Thanks for the tip.