Meter accuracy

[Q.G.]

If you have to go through all that, why use a meter at all? Why not expend that effort to learn the idiosyncrasies of your meter and how you need to interpret its reading into just learning to do without a meter?

The answer is extremely simple: because we suck at it. Big time.
That's why we have invented meters, that (though you perhaps can't manage to make them work for you) are infinitely better.
That's why.

 

[tkamiya]

it's a case of a man with a watch knows the time, if he has several he's not sure.

OP is talking about at least 2 stops of error. While each meter might have differences in calibration and behavior, I doubt they should be THAT far off if calibration hasn't drifted. Besides, OP is talking about a meter he acquired for free and I assume he doesn't know the history of previous usage. Anything is possible here. Since we are talking about a measuring instrument, my first step will be to veify its reading with known good standard. (or at least another meter) Then, I would proceed with becoming familier with the unit.

By the way, I have more than two dozen watches. While none of them are accurate to seconds to each other, all of them are within few minutes to each other. To me, that's good enough to be usable for daily life.

 

[benjiboy]

The answer is extremely simple: because we suck at it. Big time.
That's why we have invented meters, that (though you perhaps can't manage to make them work for you) are infinitely better.
That's why.

A light meter isn't a pocket calculator you can't just accept the answer given, it's more like a slide rule it requires some skill and interpetation to arrive at the right answer.

 

[Q.G.]

A light meter isn't a pocket calculator you can't just accept the answer given, it's more like a slide rule it requires some skill and interpetation to arrive at the right answer.

Yes. You need to get to know it, you, and how the two interact.

Sound smore difficult than it is, though.
It's far better than rules of thumb.
Infinitely better than relying on light guessing 'skills'.

 

[benjiboy]

OP is talking about at least 2 stops of error. While each meter might have differences in calibration and behavior, I doubt they should be THAT far off if calibration hasn't drifted. Besides, OP is talking about a meter he acquired for free and I assume he doesn't know the history of previous usage. Anything is possible here. Since we are talking about a measuring instrument, my first step will be to veify its reading with known good standard. (or at least another meter) Then, I would proceed with becoming familier with the unit.

By the way, I have more than two dozen watches. While none of them are accurate to seconds to each other, all of them are within few minutes to each other. To me, that's good enough to be usable for daily life.

I agree with your point if he has a meter of known accuracy and a grey card it's a pretty fair indication of the meters accuracy, at least if it's in the ball park, what I was trying to say was that comparing meter readings is a very quick way to drive yourself crazy

 

[Martin Aislabie]

The sunny 16 rule does work, It is not the zone system. But if you are in the field and your meter or battery dies it will get you a workable negative as opposed to coming home empty handed
I spent the first week in Navy photo school in the 50’ memorizing the sunny 16 rule because as a general rule we didn’t have meters available all the time.
Based on sea level it breaks down as follows using the film speed as the shutter speed Bright sun ( you can not look at it with your naked eye)harsh shadows f/16
Haze sun you can look at it soft shadows open up one stop (f/11)
Cloudy Bright you know it is there somewhere but no shadows ,open up 2 stops f/8
Cloudy dull getting really dark open up three stops f/5.6
Open shade open up one stop from normal f/11
Closed shade open up two stops from normal f/8
Sidelight open up one stop f/11
Backlight open up two stops f/8
Kodak use to publish the Master Photoguide with great exposure dials for just about any condition, I still have mine and once in a while check my expensive and sophisticated meters against it when in doubt.

The Sunny 16 rule doesn't work in the UK or I suspect most of Northern Europe

Sunny F11 is a better bet here

Martin

 

[jerry lebens]

The Sunny 16 rule doesn't work in the UK or I suspect most of Northern Europe

Sunny F11 is a better bet here

Martin

I get the f/11. What does 'sunny' mean?

Still, if the OP's meter is always two stops over it'd be perfect for current conditions here...

Best Wishes
Jerry

 

[premo]

If his light meter is off two stops, why not just set the asa number to compensate? Ie, film box speed reads 400 asa, set meter for 100.

 

[benjiboy]

The O.P could only use the meter in the snow if it reads two stops over.

 

[benjiboy]

OP is talking about at least 2 stops of error. While each meter might have differences in calibration and behavior, I doubt they should be THAT far off if calibration hasn't drifted. Besides, OP is talking about a meter he acquired for free and I assume he doesn't know the history of previous usage. Anything is possible here. Since we are talking about a measuring instrument, my first step will be to veify its reading with known good standard. (or at least another meter) Then, I would proceed with becoming familier with the unit.

By the way, I have more than two dozen watches. While none of them are accurate to seconds to each other, all of them are within few minutes to each other. To me, that's good enough to be usable for daily life.

I have only one watch, but it's a C.O.S.C certified chronometer.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COSC

 

[ic-racer]

Is there any way/procedures to check its accuracy??

How did you determine your exposure index before you went out shooting?

Look up "zone I test"

 

[paul ron]

How about just runing a film test to confirm the meter and adjust the ASA accordingly?

Have you checked the batttery lately?

Ireland never sees sun, I hear they get scared when it's shining.

 

[Jed Freudenthal]

The calibration of a lightmeter is covered in:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_meter

Jed