Because of a recent thread about meters I have been obsessing about my meter's accuracy and metering technique. With all the inherent inaccuracies of metering and metering technique I am wondering about how many of you worry about half stop differences in different meters or in my case a reported half stop difference between my Seckonic L508 in spot vs. incident mode. I personally don't experience problems with B&W but I suppose it could be a problem with transparencies.
In trying to see if my meter has a problem I started thinking about the problems of how to check against a standard, and we have 12% vs. 18% gray as a standard. Then of course different light cell's response to different light wavelengths. Also there is technique, such as angle of gray card or incident dome to light source and in spot mode which green grass or other surface is truly representative of 18% gray (or 12% gray depending on the meter). Which shadow is spot metered for detail and the film and development you are using. I guess we should also consider what printing method you use, contact, condenser, diffusion. To further complicate this we have new MC lenses vs. old single or uncoated lenses that may actually flare enough to effectively preflash the film. I could go on about bellows extensions etc. and I am sure you can add more variables.
With all of the above either separately or cumulatively it is no wonder everyone seems to arrive at their own metering technique and EI for different film/dev. combinations and therefore the common advise to test for yourself with your equipment and your technique.
So my question, do you obsess about absolute accuracy of your meter/meters (if there is such a thing) or like me have you developed a "system" with your equipment and technique that works for you and you don't sweat the half stops.
Bob
In trying to see if my meter has a problem I started thinking about the problems of how to check against a standard, and we have 12% vs. 18% gray as a standard. Then of course different light cell's response to different light wavelengths. Also there is technique, such as angle of gray card or incident dome to light source and in spot mode which green grass or other surface is truly representative of 18% gray (or 12% gray depending on the meter). Which shadow is spot metered for detail and the film and development you are using. I guess we should also consider what printing method you use, contact, condenser, diffusion. To further complicate this we have new MC lenses vs. old single or uncoated lenses that may actually flare enough to effectively preflash the film. I could go on about bellows extensions etc. and I am sure you can add more variables.
With all of the above either separately or cumulatively it is no wonder everyone seems to arrive at their own metering technique and EI for different film/dev. combinations and therefore the common advise to test for yourself with your equipment and your technique.
So my question, do you obsess about absolute accuracy of your meter/meters (if there is such a thing) or like me have you developed a "system" with your equipment and technique that works for you and you don't sweat the half stops.
Bob