Light meters - vintage or modern?
Posted 14/04/2014 - 07:59
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Flash exposures are very short, so meters like a Weston Master won't respond quickly enough to register the light.
You need a flashmeter rather than a lightmeter, in other words something fairly modern at least that can record the very brief flash of light.
You can also manage without one as the exposure won't change much for any given lighting scheme and the camera histogram will show you all you need to know. Start at f/8 and alter the aperture until images are correctly exposed. It takes maybe two or three shots to establish the required exposure.
You need a flashmeter rather than a lightmeter, in other words something fairly modern at least that can record the very brief flash of light.
You can also manage without one as the exposure won't change much for any given lighting scheme and the camera histogram will show you all you need to know. Start at f/8 and alter the aperture until images are correctly exposed. It takes maybe two or three shots to establish the required exposure.
Best regards, John
Posted 14/04/2014 - 09:35
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Definitely electronic. If your very serious about your studio work. the Sekonic L308s is a good meter. (I have one..) But in my opinion the L478DR is a better choice. Though more expensive. It will trigger the lights from the meter. Give flash / ambient percentage readings.
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses
Stuart..
Stuart..
Posted 14/04/2014 - 10:05
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Second vote for the L308s, to trigger the lights I just have the transmitter trigger in my hand and do it manually.
Chris
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
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K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk
" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".
-------------------------------------------------------------
K1 - Sigma 85mm F1.4, Pentax DFA 150 -450 F4.5 / 5.6, Pentax DFA* 24 - 70 F2.8
Samyang 14mm F2.8, Pentax DFA* 70-200 F2.8, Pentax A 50mm F1.2
K3iii + K3ii + K5iis converted to IR, Sigma 17 - 70 F2.8, Pentax 55 - 300 F4.5 / F5.6 PLM
Posted 14/04/2014 - 10:19
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Dont even think about a Weston. They were only popular because there wasn't much choice. Rubbish when new and still so.
You could search for a s/h Minolta Flash IV
You could search for a s/h Minolta Flash IV
Ken
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
Posted 18/04/2014 - 10:10
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Thanks guys - Sekonic L308S is now winging its way to me for delivery on Saturday.
Saxon
Saxon
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68 posts
18 years
West Sussex/Hampshire,
UK
I would be grateful for any views on whether the analogue meters are any good for flash photography or whether I'm better just going for a modern meter (the vintage ones are only £20 ish)
Thanks,
Saxon