I would say yes, because a standalone meter can provide incident readings of the light falling on your subject, whereas a camera's built-in meter can only read reflected light.
I would say yes, because a standalone meter can provide incident readings of the light falling on your subject, whereas a camera's built-in meter can only read reflected light.Just on a general note, would a light meter benefit cameras that have their own built-in light meters? In other words, would a standalone light meter improve upon the camera's own light meter?
Just on a general note, would a light meter benefit cameras that have their own built-in light meters? In other words, would a standalone light meter improve upon the camera's own light meter?
One vote for the Sekonic L-208 Twin Mate. .
The benefit one receives from using a meter comes as much from how one uses them as from the meter itself.Just on a general note, would a light meter benefit cameras that have their own built-in light meters? In other words, would a standalone light meter improve upon the camera's own light meter?
Just on a general note, would a light meter benefit cameras that have their own built-in light meters? In other words, would a standalone light meter improve upon the camera's own light meter?
Well, snow in bright light is one example where a reflected meter is often "tricked". Since most reflected in-camera meters will expose for 18% middle gray, your photo may be several stops underexposed, with the white snow rendered gray.
Actually...With Sunny 16, it's f22 for a bright day with snow or at the beach. At first I was thinking why should a snow or sand background make a difference to say a skin tone?
Then the penny dropped. The background acts as a giant reflector and lightens the subject by a stop.
Just on a general note, would a light meter benefit cameras that have their own built-in light meters? In other words, would a standalone light meter improve upon the camera's own light meter?
comparing it to'sunny-16' is the ultimate test.What would Sunny-16 have been (approximately) ....... f/8.0 at 1/2000.?
Actually...
The problem with snow or sand is that it is supposed to be bright, but your meter doesn't know that, so it will suggest a reading that will give you snow or sand that is more like middle grey - i.e. darker than it should be.
You are asking people who love detailed metering whether it is a good idea to get a standalone meter. We are all going to say yes. But honestly, today's cameras are very good at whole-scene metering. There are a few instances, such as the mentioned snowy scene, where they might struggle. But the latitude of most film stocks and the correction available when scanning can offset these very few instances to a great degree.
Maybe if you live in Iceland or the desert, you might get frustrated. More than anything, a standalone meter is a great learning tool. Otherwise, just overexpose a little.
In my experience, you are rolling the dice a little bit with the older selenium meters. It could work fine, or you could get a dud like me. And they will all eventually fail at some point. I didn't want to risk it with a proverbial ticking time bomb, but your mileage may vary. Luckily, they are generally quite cheap on the second hand market.The Gossen Pilot is a nice meter. It is small, easy to use, and doesn't need a battery. It works really well outdoors. Sensitivity is somewhat limited, so if the light is very dim indoors it won't work too well.
They can often be found on ebay for not too much money.
The Gossen Pilot is a nice meter. It is small, easy to use, and doesn't need a battery. It works really well outdoors. Sensitivity is somewhat limited, so if the light is very dim indoors it won't work too well.
They can often be found on ebay for not too much money.
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