Metering for slide film with Sekonic & graduated ND's

What I have been doing so far has been to meter the shadows that I want detail and set into memory, same with the highlights then average. Now I go back to the shadows/highlights and read the EV value, looking for no more than -/+ 2 over. If it's within +/- 2 then I'm ok.

Now what if the highlights are over +2, say it meters +3 EV Do I use the average meter reading to set my lens but use a grad ND to bring down the highlights 1 stop?

What if the shadow is -3. Do I open up one stop from the average reading but bring down the highlights 2 stops?

I carry filters of more than one strength. With 35mm and an in-camera spot meter, I compare the reading for the shadows with the reading for the highlights and choose the filter to suit the situation. The correct exposure depends on the situation and how you want the scene to look. If the difference between shadows and highlights is 2 stops, exposing the shadows at 0 and using a 2-stop grad ND will give you the "correct" exposure for both highlights and shadows. This may not be the look you want - maybe you want the shadows to be a little darker than a "correct" reading and the highlights a little lighter. In that case you could expose the shadows at -0.5. Your highlights would now be at +1.5, and a 1-stop filter would bring them down to +0.5.

You kind of have to play around with it and see what you like. I always bracket, but that may not be such a luxury in 4x5.

nbagno said:

What I have been doing so far has been to meter the shadows that I want detail and set into memory, same with the highlights then average. Now I go back to the shadows/highlights and read the EV value, looking for no more than -/+ 2 over. If it's within +/- 2 then I'm ok.

Now what if the highlights are over +2, say it meters +3 EV Do I use the average meter reading to set my lens but use a grad ND to bring down the highlights 1 stop?

What if the shadow is -3. Do I open up one stop from the average reading but bring down the highlights 2 stops?

Click to expand...

I think you've got a good understanding and it is never easy to totally control transparency narrow margin film. If the contrast is in the films latitude it is fairly easy. But as that latitude shifts decisions are needed. I always use grads when the latitude is too much. If you use PS for post processing they're some tricks there too, but cannot be discussed in this forum.