To meter or not to meter.......Do you use one?
Jan 27, 2012 10:32:57 #
I grew up ....years ago - too many years ago - with a mentor insisting that I meter everything. I still do. Cameras have changed and are better than ever at metering scenes. From Dynamic to Spot. I still meter.....I carry a Sekonic 758DR (yes I know it's big) and/or Sekonic 358's in studio.
....and then when using strobes (NOT FLASHES) - the camera's metering system is no longer a factor. Do you guess or do you meter?
Incident vs Reflective - These new DSLR's do a great job of averaging scenes for good exposures, do you trust them?
To meter or not to meter, that is the question?
....and then when using strobes (NOT FLASHES) - the camera's metering system is no longer a factor. Do you guess or do you meter?
Incident vs Reflective - These new DSLR's do a great job of averaging scenes for good exposures, do you trust them?
To meter or not to meter, that is the question?
Jan 27, 2012 10:34:29 #
I don't.
but then again....I didn't grow up metering with a handheld meter.
I can say this: I've now read 3 books by well known photogs and they've all said the same thing....that handheld light meters USED to be useful..and now they are not based on how a person can evaluate and chimp a shot quickly with digital/histogram and LCD....
but then again....I didn't grow up metering with a handheld meter.
I can say this: I've now read 3 books by well known photogs and they've all said the same thing....that handheld light meters USED to be useful..and now they are not based on how a person can evaluate and chimp a shot quickly with digital/histogram and LCD....
Jan 27, 2012 10:40:50 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
If there's plenty of time, I'll do a 'Polaroid' with the screen + histogram. Otherwise, for digi, the camera meter and I can usually come to an accommodation (I always shoot manual). For critical film negs, spot metering: for critical transparencies, usually incident. But then, with 40+ years' practice, I can usually guess pretty well, and interpret meter readings even better. So no, I don't normally use my meters that much any more. I must have at least a dozen (Gossen, Weston, Pentax, SEI...)
What did you mean by "strobes (NOT FLASHES)"? Must be a difference between the English and American languages, I suspect. On-camera and studio flash?
Cheers,
R.
What did you mean by "strobes (NOT FLASHES)"? Must be a difference between the English and American languages, I suspect. On-camera and studio flash?
Cheers,
R.
Jan 27, 2012 10:45:11 #
Roger Hicks wrote:
If there's plenty of time, I'll do a 'Polaroid' wi... (show quote)
With TTL, flashes and cameras can talk about the scene. With studio strobes, it's a different ball game.
Jan 27, 2012 10:56:37 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
Yes, it is a difference in the language. In English, many people prefer to reserve the term 'strobe' for 'stroboscope' (which, of course, most studio flash isn't -- hence the preference for the term 'studio flash').
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
Jan 27, 2012 11:08:08 #
Roger Hicks wrote:
Yes, it is a difference in the language. In English, many people prefer to reserve the term 'strobe' for 'stroboscope' (which, of course, most studio flash isn't -- hence the preference for the term 'studio flash').
Cheers,
R.
Cheers,
R.
"Cheers" tells me you serve the QUEEN but isn't Aquitaine in France? I guess the question is, where are you?
Jan 27, 2012 11:55:30 #
Roger Hicks
Loc: Aquitaine
Bear in mind that the Aquitaine has at times been English. Thouars (the nearest big town to where I live) was the last city to fall to the French in the Hundred Years War. The current French version of the Aquitaine is quite a bit smaller, because it doesn't come as far north.
Actually, I'm Cornish, which is another nationality again, like Manx,Welsh, Irish or Scottish.
As well as the UK and France, I've lived for more or less extended periods in Malta, Bermuda and California.
Cheers,
R.
Actually, I'm Cornish, which is another nationality again, like Manx,Welsh, Irish or Scottish.
As well as the UK and France, I've lived for more or less extended periods in Malta, Bermuda and California.
Cheers,
R.
Jan 28, 2012 05:52:39 #
nikonshooter wrote:
I grew up ....years ago - too many years ago - wit... (show quote)
Nikon,
I also meter and have the same Sekonic, love the ability to sync with my Pocket Wizards.
George
Jan 28, 2012 07:46:33 #
George H wrote:
quote=nikonshooter I grew up ....years ago - too ... (show quote)
I was a little disappointed that the new PW, TTL5's do not work with Sekonic meters on wireless mode......but delay is just a good.
Jan 28, 2012 08:14:36 #
I would sell the meters while you can still get some money for them. I see no reason to use them. I go the way of the first post:shoot, view the preview and histogram and adjust or not adjust accordingly.
Meters were a must with film because you did not have immediate feedback unless you were shooting Polaroids. I can assure you that the newfangled technology gets you closer to the desired exposure more often than the previous and now moribund approach. I loved film and did all my own darkroom work for decades. However, digital has film beat as far as I am concerned.
I wonder when I see posts like this is whether force of habit rather than adapting to the new is the reason for sticking with the "tried and true".
Meters were a must with film because you did not have immediate feedback unless you were shooting Polaroids. I can assure you that the newfangled technology gets you closer to the desired exposure more often than the previous and now moribund approach. I loved film and did all my own darkroom work for decades. However, digital has film beat as far as I am concerned.
I wonder when I see posts like this is whether force of habit rather than adapting to the new is the reason for sticking with the "tried and true".
Jan 28, 2012 09:21:38 #
abc1234 wrote:
I would sell the meters while you can still get so... (show quote)
If you have a few minutes, watch this video - Mark Wallace does a good job demonstrating both Sekonic meters but more important, the power of these devices. There is a very long introduction before this video starts but well worth the watch whether you use hand held meters or camera only metering.
http://blog.sekonic.com/2010/11/11/video-seminar-taking-the-mysteries-out-of-metering-with-mark-wallace/ especially if you have one of these and do not know how to use it.
Jan 28, 2012 09:42:35 #
I use both . I shoot mostly manual and spot metering. I will use my hand held meter when photographing a person outdoors (reflective) and ambient metering in some (but not all) landscapes. My Nikon metering is very precise though but my old metering habits die hard,
Jan 28, 2012 09:45:20 #
While looking at my subject, I switch to liveview with histogram and make my adjustments in order of priority to keep the rgb colors just to the left of the right border or the scale. Then turn liveview off and start shooting knowing that I have the right exposure for that setting. When I change positions or subjects, I go through the same routine again to know my exposure is right.
Jan 28, 2012 09:47:55 #
docrob
Loc: Durango, Colorado
nikonshooter wrote:
I grew up ....years ago - too many years ago - wit... (show quote)
I gave up metering and just shoot
Jan 28, 2012 11:06:36 #
davpal
Loc: long island
THE CAMERAS TODAY HAVE 2 OR3 WAYS TO METER A SCENE
EACH ONE IF USED CORRECTLY WILL RESULT IN GOOD RESULTS
EXAMPLE NIKON HAS THE MATRIX SETTING WHICH FOR MOST OF MY PICTURES HAVE GIVEM ME VERY GOOD RESULTS
USING ALL 3 METER SETTING HAVE FREED ME FROM CARRYING A SEPERATE METER .
EACH ONE IF USED CORRECTLY WILL RESULT IN GOOD RESULTS
EXAMPLE NIKON HAS THE MATRIX SETTING WHICH FOR MOST OF MY PICTURES HAVE GIVEM ME VERY GOOD RESULTS
USING ALL 3 METER SETTING HAVE FREED ME FROM CARRYING A SEPERATE METER .
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