Light Meter
Dec 13, 2015 22:37:17 #
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
Dec 13, 2015 22:44:51 #
Gossen Luna Pro IMO Lots of accessories and capabilities. Plenty on Ebay -- broad range of prices.
Dec 13, 2015 22:51:18 #
Dec 13, 2015 23:45:53 #
L-358 is just fine, you can't go wrong with it. If you additionally want a 1° spot meter the L-758DR is still the meter of choice of many professionals.
Dec 14, 2015 05:07:15 #
jm76237 wrote:
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
Unless you are using it for setting flash levels with manual flash, or if your camera has no meter, getting a handheld meter might be unnecessary. Sekonic has great meters, and the 358 is no exception. But it's an extra piece of gear you have to carry, and using it slows you down a bit. Been doing photography since 1967, so I have used a number of metering systems. My favorite was the Minolta 1 deg and the Pentax 1 deg meters. You still need to have the knowledge and experience to interpret the readings. If you understand how to do that, using the in camera meter is no different.
Dec 14, 2015 05:51:25 #
I only use a light meter for studio photo shoots. I use the Sekonic L-478DR. The touch screen works very well. It has a built-in PocketWizard module. When setting up lighting in a studio you can trigger the strobes with the meter, An optional 5-degree attachment is available for reflected light readings.
Dec 14, 2015 07:56:20 #
jm76237 wrote:
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
I got a used Sekonic L-358 from KEH. They also have Luna Pro meters. Try them.
Dec 14, 2015 08:25:38 #
jm76237 wrote:
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
I just brought the L-478D. Waiting to use it but the reviews were not bad.
Dec 14, 2015 08:37:39 #
Bazbo
Loc: Lisboa, Portugal
jm76237 wrote:
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
Sekonic 758DR. Kind of pricey, but the precision you get from the spot meter is worth it IMO.
Dec 14, 2015 08:44:12 #
Gene51 wrote:
Unless you are using it for setting flash levels w... (show quote)
I do own 2 good meters but I found that even I have to deal with manual flash or using a camera without meter (using old manual focus lens on low end Nikon) I don't need the meter. I can just take a test shot and go from there.
Dec 14, 2015 09:45:56 #
BebuLamar wrote:
I do own 2 good meters but I found that even I have to deal with manual flash or using a camera without meter (using old manual focus lens on low end Nikon) I don't need the meter. I can just take a test shot and go from there.
:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:
Dec 14, 2015 09:48:51 #
jm76237 wrote:
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
That's a great meter but also the L-308 by Sekonic is good (with less features that you probably won't miss)
One good (and often overlooked) thing about meters is this: you get a real number; a real value for the exposure. Not just a "that looks pretty good on the LCD" sort of thing...but a repeatable, real amount of light hitting the subject.
You will learn a LOT by using one, much more than just futzing around doing the "by guess and by golly" test shot method.
After a few weeks of using a meter you will know that "at X distance to subject, on X power my flash will deliver f/2.5"
Just because you have ingrained it in your mind by repetition and using the meter.
I love it and recommend it for everyone as a useful, learning tool.
We spend a LOT more on things that are useless in our photography life
Dec 14, 2015 10:04:25 #
I have the sekonic 478D one of the important features for me is the ability to measure flash and provide a percentage of the light provided by flash which this does. If you also want to use it as a pocket wizard compatible trigger than you would need the more expensive 478DR. I like it because it is touch screen and very easy to get it setup for a shoot. I use it for portrait lighting setups...
jm76237 wrote:
What light meter do y'all recommend? I've been told by two pro photographers I know the Sekonic L-358 is the "best but not made anymore". I can find used ones on Amazon, but what's the opinion here?
Dec 14, 2015 10:09:31 #
I still use my Minolta incident meter. A great meter for flash and excellent for incident light metering.
There are many occasions when I want to use my meter and portraits happen to be one of them. It takes some time to do an accurate reading but I believe it is worth it.
In camera meters are all reflective type meaning that they meter the light reflected off the subject. When I use my camera I prefer center weighted and spot metering, two metering varieties I know well and understand their behaviour.
Today histograms and a look at the monitor gives us a great idea of what is going on but the incident meter still has its place.
I am beginning to use mine again after some years of neglect.
There are many occasions when I want to use my meter and portraits happen to be one of them. It takes some time to do an accurate reading but I believe it is worth it.
In camera meters are all reflective type meaning that they meter the light reflected off the subject. When I use my camera I prefer center weighted and spot metering, two metering varieties I know well and understand their behaviour.
Today histograms and a look at the monitor gives us a great idea of what is going on but the incident meter still has its place.
I am beginning to use mine again after some years of neglect.
Dec 14, 2015 10:23:26 #
wj cody
Loc: springfield illinois
camerapapi wrote:
I still use my Minolta incident meter. A great met... (show quote)
good for you. incident meters are excellent!
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