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Digital camera as exposure meter

I'm always amazed by how good digital exposure algorithms are but I find using one to find the setting for an analog camera rather clumsy. using a handheld exposure meter with flash option is so much simpler.get a used Gossen Luna-Star F2 and you won't regret it!
 
DWThomas said:
And just to muddy the waters ... you can get lightmeter apps for your smart phone too.
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had a couple of them. ick. Gossen pilot or scout are way better than the ones I tried
 
Grif said:
had a couple of them. ick. Gossen pilot or scout are way better than the ones I tried
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I have used a couple of the phone apps and for normal outdoor conditions they seemed OK. I suspect some of the results could be dependent on the specific phone. There are some apps targeted at pinhole work which is handy since most stand-alone meters don't get up into f/256 territory. Some also offer the ability to save a thumbnail with the readings -- and even the GPS location -- which is nice, but I admit to mostly using either my Gossen Digisix or my Sekonic L-508 depending on how serious I am and how light I'm trying to travel.
 

For me the important about light meter is accuracy and the range of light intensity. The capability to calculate to f/256 or to several hours of exposure is not important as I can do that.
 
I have an old not too smart phone, so I have not attempted, but it is possible to put the camera next to a ground glass on a 4X5 and take a TTL reading?
 
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tomfrh said:
Life's too short for all that
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I kind of agree.

Although I do respect the photographers on here doing things the proper way (and certainly know extremely much about process and materials), personally, I have had no big problems regarding hybrid workflow at all since 2005.

Doing the traditional thing, from the negative to the paper is a bigger challenge though, so I can see the difference here.

Though, in short: If you hybrid, your margin of error is pretty huge, compared to doing the all-traditional thing with 100% accurate and dependable results.
 
Thanks guys, im, a hybrid photographer so will stick with my digital for the time being, i also have a lunasix il use for any natural light work.
 
There shouldn't be any ethical reason why a D camera can't be the new Polaroids. Many people on here have unusual workflow - and if it gets good results, that's great. I was once in a catalogue studio where they hardly ever used a meter - it was all Polaroids. The floor was littered ankle-deep with Polaroid backings (or whatever they're called).
 
A lightmeter app on a smartphone will also work fine and costs nothing if you're willing to accept ads, or $1,99 without ads.
 
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