silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

I am really happy that this technique works for you, thats the way it should be. I have absolutely no argument with someone having a technique. The problem is when somebody says that this is the only way to do things and I have no reason to believe that you are doing that at all. I personally only use a hand held meter for my B&W silver work when I am shooting with my RB Mamiya. Most of the time I really rely on the internal light meter that is in the finder attachment for the camera, I find that its a little more accurate because its designed for the system and it has a spot or average reading ability. Whatever works for someone is a great thing, finding your way through all of the techniques is hard but thats the way it is. I commend you for your accomplishments. By the way, I am thinking of selling my Sekonic meter, I havnt used it in two years and I would rather see it go to someone that will use it.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I have to say that I agree with you 100%!

It's a preference!

What I do object to are statements like "the camera meter makes the hand held meter obsolete!" like in this thread...I've read that too many times.

It's a preference and I think it's a better preference for many people but at least don't slam the door on a noobie who could benefit by using one...(not you specifically)

PhotoArtsLA Loc: Boynton Beach

Hand held metering will work perfectly if you establish the precise ISO of your DSLR for the given ISO setting. Then, you should consider both a reflective/incident meter as well as a spotmeter for your readings. THEN, you need to either study the good ol' Zone System (used to be ten fingers, ten zones, but some DSLRs have 13 stops of latitude) or learn how to place the exposure as it needs to be.

In the studio, when you get good at metering (flat diffuser rather than globe, of course) you can completely pre-visualize the look of the image shot. This was important back in the days of film, because each frame cost money in film and lab. For nervous art directors, we used to shoot Polaroids.

The digital world has trivialized exposure to a degree, because even without a meter, handheld or otherwise, you can quickly just dial in an exposure by examining the histogram. Your knowledge of exposure and filter factors dictates if it will take one or two tests or ten. Using the image review feature on DSLRs is not a good measure, however. It's best to work with the histogram.

silver Loc: Santa Monica Ca.

Yeah! A happy ending!

sbesaw Loc: Boston

First let me agree rpavich here. There are so many answers given as absolutes to questions to which there is no absolute answer. The best strap, the best wide angle lens, the best camera body, etc.


That said let me give you my preference. I also shoot D3s, have 2 bodies and shoot sports as well as landscapes and portraits. I had a Sekonic L358, great meter which I proudly carried and used once or twice. Think PhotoartsLA explained it pretty well. If you are doing a lot of studio work and want to put the time in to learning how to use a meter then your "preference" may be to use one. As to most any other type of Photography, with the Body you are shooting, then my preference would be it makes more work than can most often be justified by results once you have a good handle on the metering done by the D3s. The Spot meter in that Body is pretty darn good. BTW I sold my Sekonic my preference was to have one less thing to carry and fiddle with. I imagine that dedicated studio shooters might disagree and they will have legitimate "Preferences". I just don't do enough of that type of shooting to use a meter. Of course I could be totally wrong but again it's just my "Preference" or "Opinion" :-)

One of the reasons that I love this Forum is that you get such a diverse spectrum of responses.

loguey Loc: Osteen FL

your images are beautiful and you lens is so sharp i'm impressed. and i agree with your method of using you meter. is it a incident or reflective meter?=

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

thanks for the kind words!
It's incident...it's a polaris spd100

loguey Loc: Osteen FL

I knew it must be an incident meter they are the best.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Agreed!

:XD:

Hal81 Loc: Bucks County, Pa.

Welcome aboard Sharkman53. I havent taken my old luna pro out since I retired in 93. Only use in camera meter now.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I have a spot, reflective and incident meter I use with medium and large format, and it is great for that kind of photography. But most of my small format work is "grab" shots and I don't have time to use it - and it takes up a lot of room in my bag. I also have a rather old color meter that I do use fairly often to check color balance.

sharkman53

What meter are you using?

I will have to check out the Pittsburgh zoo. I am in Cleveland and visit Pittsburgh all the time.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

If you are asking me, I have a Polaris SPD100. A great budget meter.

I wish I could spring for a Sekonic L-358 but....I can't.

Mine was 160.00 new; you can get one for about 100.00 at KEH in excellent condition.