Digital camera as exposure meter

DWThomas · Jul 8, 2017

And just to muddy the waters ... you can get lightmeter apps for your smart phone too.

RalphLambrecht · Jul 8, 2017

SeanElm said:
I want to implement my hassy 500cm into my digital workflow more, I love analog but dont have the funds for good dark room equipment right now so i'm going to be scanning.
Since i'm going to be mixing natural and artificial light and i don't have a flash meter i am going to use my x100t set up next to the hassy, if i duplicate the settings that worked for the fuji will they be perfect for the hassy?. Some say the S in ISO isn't so standard and can be out by 1/3 stop or so depending on manufacturer is that tru?

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!

Grif · Jul 8, 2017

DWThomas said:
And just to muddy the waters ... you can get lightmeter apps for your smart phone too.

had a couple of them. ick. Gossen pilot or scout are way better than the ones I tried

DWThomas · Jul 8, 2017

Grif said:
had a couple of them. ick. Gossen pilot or scout are way better than the ones I tried

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.

Chan Tran · Jul 8, 2017

DWThomas said:
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.

Paul Howell · Jul 8, 2017

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?

Helinophoto · Jul 8, 2017

tomfrh said:
Life's too short for all that

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.

SeanElm · Jul 11, 2017

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.

mahogcam · Sep 23, 2017

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).

Ron789 · Sep 24, 2017

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.

Digital camera as exposure meter

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency