Light meter, or other measuring device?? Having been to a couple of dozen different school gymnasiums over the past basketball season, I have found a compelling need to be able to read...

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

Having been to a couple of dozen different school gymnasiums over the past basketball season, I have found a compelling need to be able to read the Kelvin (for lack of a better understanding) scale of the available light source. I went online and purchased a Sekonic L-188 light meter only to be totally confused by its capability in our digital world. With that said, can anyone recommend a "light meter" so I won't have to use the Auto setting for white balance? Cost is a factor so if there are really good ones that cost >$50, I cannot buy one until later this year. Thanks in advance.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Sounds like you want a color temperature meter, not a light meter.
For what it's worth. - GPS STATUS app for my Android phone measures color temp in degrees Kelvin and light intensity in LUX. Might require calibration...

or

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1390250-REG/sekonic_401_305_l_308x_u_flashmate_light_meter.html

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Dziadzi wrote:

Having been to a couple of dozen different school ... (show quote)

https://www.ebay.com/itm/MINOLTA-COLOR-METER-II-Photographic-Temperature-Meter-1433/193040655950?epid=1924600583&hash=item2cf21ea64e:g:SNYAAOSwzLZdTmxA

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

Dziadzi wrote:

Having been to a couple of dozen different school ... (show quote)

You don't need a color temp meter. Just set a custom WB on the camera before you start shooting or if you're shooting raw then just shoot an appropriate WB target to use in PP -- white Styrofoam coffee cup works great.

Joe

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ysarex wrote:

You don't need a color temp meter. Just set a custom WB on the camera before you start shooting or if you're shooting raw then just shoot an appropriate WB target to use in PP -- white Styrofoam coffee cup works great.

Joe

Or test shots.
Since the only time the color temp would change is if there is daylight/not daylight coming through any windows in the gym, once you figure the color temp for a gym, you can note it for next time?

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

iPhone app POCKET LIGHTMETER does that and much more and it’s free.

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

An alternate approach would be to use an Expodisc or the like:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1008986-REG/expoimaging_expod2_77_expodisc_2_0_77mm_white.html

You set the custom white balance in the camera before taking shots by putting the filter on the lens, pointing it directly at the light source and snapping the shutter (once you put the camera into its "set custom balance" mode - check your manual on that part)

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

drmike99 wrote:

iPhone app POCKET LIGHTMETER does that and much more and it’s free.

Apparently not. It seems to be a light meter only according to the specs.

Joe

Dziadzi Loc: Wilkes-Barre, PA

drmike99 wrote:

iPhone app POCKET LIGHTMETER does that and much more and it’s free.

GREAT!, but I have Android!

BebuLamar

You can get the Sekonic C7000 or the Konica Minolta CL-200A. They are both very expensive and accurate BUT (a big but) you may not get the right color due to your own camera color temp setting isn't very accurate.

drmike99 Loc: Fairfield Connecticut

Ysarex wrote:

Apparently not. It seems to be a light meter only according to the specs.

Joe

Well you can read the specs but here’s a screenshot showing color balance data.

(Download)

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

drmike99 wrote:

Well you can read the specs but here’s a screenshot showing color balance data.

Well it does show a color temp value. I don't see a tint value which is also essential. Does it toggle the tint value with the temp value? Here's a link to a real color temperature meter: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1436631-REG/sekonic_401_800_c_800_spectomaster_meter.html

The OP would be much better off setting a WB on the camera.

Joe

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ysarex wrote:

Well it does show a color temp value. I don't see a tint value which is also essential. Does it toggle the tint value with the temp value? Here's a link to a real color temperature meter: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1436631-REG/sekonic_401_800_c_800_spectomaster_meter.html

The OP would be much better off setting a WB on the camera.

Joe

I'll just run right out and get three, one for each camera bag.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Dziadzi wrote:

Having been to a couple of dozen different school ... (show quote)

You are having a hard time with the color due to the lights. You'll need to set the Kelvin to the correct temperature and you may have a problem with the lights flickering (you can't see it but the camera can. Research shooting in the gym on YouTube. They will have videos on the topic.

Ysarex Loc: St. Louis

drmike99 wrote:

Well you can read the specs but here’s a screenshot showing color balance data.

Taking a closer look at that display -- what the bleepin bleep is EV400?

Joe