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Shawn Dougherty

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I'm looking for an incident light meter. Something simple to use with my new to me 35mm. I plan on using experience and Sunny 16 for most of my exposures but want something small and simple just to double check when I'm uncertain... (I have a Pentax Digital Spot meter but I don't want to take that with me when I'm shooting 35mm.)

(Ultimately I would like to have THIS but can't swing it right now or probably for some time.)

I'm looking for something very basic and CHEAP.

(And of course I am usually willing to barter with prints if you fancy any of mine. =)
 
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Shawn Dougherty

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If a Moderator sees this could you kindly add "Incident Light Meter" to my Thread Title? Opps! =)
 
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BrianShaw

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Better yet... add "Incident Light Meter".
 

jeffreyg

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Since you already have a good meter why not get one of the plastic white balance accessories that are sold for digital cameras. You could use just the neutral gray part and meter off of that. I have the same meter and years ago Calumet had a plastic gray card. I cut it into pocket size pieces and use it routinely.

http://www.jeffreyglasser.com/
 
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Shawn Dougherty

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That's a fine idea, Jeff (thank you) and I would do that... except I already divide my Spotmeter between my RB67 and 4x5 bags. I keep them next to each other with a note taped to each bag that says "Light Meter?!" so that I don't forget it. I don't want to further divide it and then not have it with my other kits... I've got such a repeatable routine with that meter and those cameras I don't want chance it.

Plus, I'd like something a little smaller (and less expensive) to have with my 35mm.
 

BrianShaw

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I'm so forgetul of meters that a long, long time ago I bought enough meters to permanently keep one in each camera bag. What is your defintion of "cheap"? There is a Gossen LunaPro in the ads for around $80 with a 7.5/15 deg. attachment. That is what I keep in my MF bag and find it to be very useful in a "cheap" way. I've never been let down by it. Since the old merc battery is needed I fitted mine with an adapter, but cheaper option is also available.
 
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Shawn Dougherty

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I've always wanted to get another Spot Meter for that reason, Brian. Maybe someday...

Cheaper than $80 unfortunately. I saw that one. Looks nice!
 

Regular Rod

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Why Incident Light Meter? Surely it is better to measure the light reflected from a subject than to measure some of the light falling onto it?

You could use "Light Meter" a free app for your smartphone to keep the bulk down but it wouldn't be taking incident light readings... It does have a spot on it though so would be at least a little similar to the way you use your Pentax Spotmeter.

RR
 
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Shawn Dougherty

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I don't have a smart phone... I've been using just a spot meter for the last 10 years so I'm with you on the plus sides of reflected meters.

However, I plan to use this particular camera in a different way. I'm not going to be metering each picture. At night I go by experience. For 'with me all the time / on the fly' pictures I'm going to use Sunny 16 or just take an incident reading where I am and use what brain power I have to adjust from there. It's just how I want to work with this camera. A nice change of pace.

Thanks, RR!
 

rkmiec

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I have a sekonic l-558r I am willing to part with. Way more meter than your looking for though. I could do cash + print(s) or always looking for Nikon or 8x10 stuff. Film or holders. Lg back pack etc... pm if interested. I just picked it up and put a battery in it but I have not tested it against my 508 that I have had forever.
 

Thomas Bertilsson

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A Gossen Luna Six or Luna Pro can often be had for about 80 bucks. A very fine meter, especially for night photography. It has one of the most, if not THE most, light sensitive light cell of any meter. It's a great meter, the only one I use, except for the attachment meter on my rangefinder.
 

markbarendt

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Regular Rod said:
Why Incident Light Meter? Surely it is better to measure the light reflected from a subject than to measure some of the light falling onto it?
Click to expand...

No, not in my opinion; it is not that one is flat out better than the other, both can do excelent work.

The reality is that all either does is provide reference points. We have to decide what to do with the readings.

Was out with the dogs this evening just after sunset and decided to shoot my delta 400 at 1000 just because I wanted to place my tones more to match the scene. I wanted the shots to look like the dogs were playing after sunset, not like they were playing at noon. I got the benefit of a quicker shutter too.

You can do this really well with either type of meter.

My advice for Shawn is to continue the quest for an incident meter, if for nothing else than to see how the other half lives, so to speak.
 
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Shawn Dougherty

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markbarendt said:
My advice for Shawn is to continue the quest for an incident meter, if for nothing else than to see how the other half lives, so to speak.
Click to expand...

That's definitely a part of it. I've been trying to guess my exposure before metering for years (with the view camera / mf camera) and am getting pretty good at it... A quick incident reading when I'm a little uncertain and I will be fairly confident. Plus, I'm a big advocate mixing things up, as you suggest. =)
 
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Shawn Dougherty

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Still looking for bargain incident light meter. Can pay via USPS MO or am willing to barter for one of my prints if you fancy them.
 
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