light meter for spot metering and 430ex(canon)?

Heidia · Dec 20, 2010

I am a histogram junkie, but with canon film cameras, that is not an option...So, I will be buying a light meter...I want one that works with my 430exii and one that can spot meter. I shoot manual, so av/tv options are not that important. I do not do wireless flash, doubt I will either, so that is not an issue either. Any advice as to which one you like? Thanks!

CGW · Dec 20, 2010

Heidia said:
I am a histogram junkie, but with canon film cameras, that is not an option...So, I will be buying a light meter...I want one that works with my 430exii and one that can spot meter. I shoot manual, so av/tv options are not that important. I do not do wireless flash, doubt I will either, so that is not an issue either. Any advice as to which one you like? Thanks!

Sekonic 508s aren't wildly expensive now: accurate, well-built, multi-function spot/flash/incident meters. They usually go for $200-250.

lns · Dec 20, 2010

I personally like Sekonic meters as well, but I use an L-358. You can buy a separate spot meter attachment for it. It's currently manufactured and has been accurate and very durable.

I'm not familiar with Canon, but some Nikon cameras have a built-in spot meter mode, which I find works very well. Perhaps that's an option for Canon, so you can simplify your external meter.

-Laura

wiltw · Dec 20, 2010

Minolta meters in the 1990s were highly in demand by pros and enthusiasts alike, like Sekonic is today. Since the world seems to forget that any brand name ever existed besides Sekonic, those brands of yesteryear are quite affordable on the used market. Today the Minolta latest designs are marketed by Kenko. Incident and flash metering are in the meter, spot metering attachments are all available. And the Kenko brand accessories will fit the Minolta meters, if you don't find the Minolta brand accessory in the used market.

CGW · Dec 20, 2010

lns said:
I personally like Sekonic meters as well, but I use an L-358. You can buy a separate spot meter attachment for it. It's currently manufactured and has been accurate and very durable.

I'm not familiar with Canon, but some Nikon cameras have a built-in spot meter mode, which I find works very well. Perhaps that's an option for Canon, so you can simplify your external meter.

-Laura

Problem is, though, that the tack-on spot meter thingies for Sekonics like the 358 are very pricey new and not much cheaper used. That's why an all-in-one like the Sekonic 508 with a 1-4 degree zoom spot for around 200 bucks is a bargain.

TheFlyingCamera · Dec 20, 2010

A Minolta Spotmeter F is a great meter if you want a spot meter that can do flash - 1 degree spot, both natural light and flash. They're only available on the used market, and they're not cheap. For a less expensive option, a Sekonic 408 is a great meter that has incident and reflected, and 5-degree spot via a built-in spot meter, and can do ambient and flash metering. They're also only available used, but they're quite rugged and very useful. I keep mine around to use in the studio, and the Minolta does its duty in the field.

But if you're shooting a Canon EOS body and a 430 EX II, why not put the thing on Aperture preferred and let the camera use the E-TTL?

Heidia · Dec 22, 2010

TheFlyingCamera said:
A Minolta Spotmeter F is a great meter if you want a spot meter that can do flash - 1 degree spot, both natural light and flash. They're only available on the used market, and they're not cheap. For a less expensive option, a Sekonic 408 is a great meter that has incident and reflected, and 5-degree spot via a built-in spot meter, and can do ambient and flash metering. They're also only available used, but they're quite rugged and very useful. I keep mine around to use in the studio, and the Minolta does its duty in the field.

But if you're shooting a Canon EOS body and a 430 EX II, why not put the thing on Aperture preferred and let the camera use the E-TTL?

I don't trust in-camera meters. With my xsi, I have to rely on the histogram to get spot-on exposure. If I rely on the camera's meter, my images are always underexposed by a 1-3 stops.

Heidia · Dec 22, 2010

Thanks for the replies! I am off to search KEH.

light meter for spot metering and 430ex(canon)?

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