Need to buy a light meter. What kind do I get?

Joined: 04 Jul 2004 Posts: 67 Location: minnesota

Hi, I need to buy an afordable light meter. Right now I would need it for in the studio and down the road for oustside etc.

I'm guessing I need a spot meter, but not sure. I really don't want to spend more than 250.00 if possible.

Any suggestions would be great.

Thank You,
Amber

Joined: 04 Dec 2006 Posts: 79

Good meter
http://www.sekonic.com/products/products.asp?ID=4

B&H's Price
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=8146&A=details&Q=&sku=221078&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 126 Location: Maryland

The Sekonic 358 will be a great choice.

Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 245 Location: Maryland

I 3rd the suggestion for the Sekonic L-358. I've got one, it does it all.

Though since going digital a few years ago, I never use it anymore.

Joined: 02 Sep 2005 Posts: 11 Location: New York city

Any digital is the tend and eventually will conqueror whole photo industry. Light meter may become not needed for many studios soon. Try to buy a used one in eBay may be better for you.

Joined: 18 Nov 2006 Posts: 288

I won't talk about specific products because my experience is with older models. However, the type of meter is a no brainer. You want an incident meter that has both flash and ambient metering capability.

Incident metering is not always possible but it is always more accurate since it isn't affected by the reflectivity of the subject. In the studio there is no reason to use anything other than an incident meter. In the great outdoors it will complement any reflected meter your camera might have.

Joined: 03 Sep 2006 Posts: 126 Location: Maryland

Even with digital, a meter is a valuable tool. Get your exposure right.

Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Phoenix AZ

I have a seconic 358 its great. the 358 can be integrated with the pocket wizzard. but if you think you need a spot meter than you should think about spending like 500 bucks or so. seconic is the way to go.

Joined: 13 Mar 2005 Posts: 67

Sorry about the stupid question, but what would you use a light meter for? what kind of scenerio would you use one for? I have a Rebel xt and i do own a light meter that i purchased with a tripod back in the day. I have never used it and would like to start using it.

my light meter is a Minolta auto meter III F.

Is this a good meter? worth anything?

Sorry if i hijacked your post.

Posted: Wed Feb 21, 2007 8:28 am

New: Sekonic and Gossen are the gold standards.

Used: You can still find Minoltas and Pentaxes, also very good.

All the other brands are substially inferior.

I have Gossens and my 35 year old Luna Pro is still dead on accurate and just as easy to use as my newer Luna Pro F (flash).

I would look for the following features:

1. Incident metering capability

2. Reflected metering capability

3. Flash metering capability (not mandatory, but useful if you ever want to gets studio lights).

4. Remote flash triggering (a nice feature, not really required. It makes shooting in the studio much easier).

Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 45

All i have to say is stick with sekonic!

Joined: 23 Jun 2004 Posts: 57 Location: Phoenix AZ

packard wrote:

New: Sekonic and Gossen are the gold standards.

Used: You can still find Minoltas and Pentaxes, also very good.

All the other brands are substially inferior.

I have Gossens and my 35 year old Luna Pro is still dead on accurate and just as easy to use as my newer Luna Pro F (flash).

I would look for the following features:

1. Incident metering capability

2. Reflected metering capability

3. Flash metering capability (not mandatory, but useful if you ever want to gets studio lights).

4. Remote flash triggering (a nice feature, not really required. It makes shooting in the studio much easier).

I know this a bit off topic but Packard did you take that photograph of Sean Connery that you use for you avatar?