Advice on Light Meter

Commonman · Jan 30, 2007

I'm using a camera that has not built in light meter. I've been using a really cheap light meter that gives me a general reading.

I'd like to start using a spotmeter and was looking at a used Pentax Digital Spotmeter. However, I cannot afford the high price (It was $511).

I think this particular meter may be over priced because Ansel Adams used one like it.

Can anyone recommend a more affordable spotmeter or is this just one of those areas in which you "get what you pay for?"

Please recommend a brand, make, source of a good meter and, discuss meters in general if you like.

Big Mike · Jan 30, 2007

Check out Minolta or Sekonic.

Actually, I think that true 'spot' meters are fairly expensive. Often, there is a 'spot' attachment that can be purchased separately for various meters...but those attachments are not cheap either.

myopia · Jan 31, 2007

i dont have a light meter in my mamiya 645 either. i am looking into ****. give me some feedback on what u tried out and i will do the same.

Torus34 · Jan 31, 2007

I use an old Luna Pro with a battery converter to permit the use of modern batteries. The meter is not a 'spot' meter, but it is accurate, dependable and has a very wide range. As many of my exposures are taken from a tripod, I have the luxury of moving to a particular shadow or highlight area and metering it. Reading a gray card converts the meter into an 'incidence' meter, if I so choose. The meter [used, ebay] and battery kit [B&H] combined would fall within your price range.

ksmattfish · Jan 31, 2007

I don't think the price has anything to do with AA. Light meters aren't in much demand; I mean, these days does even 1 in 1000, or maybe even 10000, photographers own one? If they could sell one to every single photog they'd be $75 for a really nice one.

Check out Polaris brand meters. They work fine, and are usually cheaper than the more popular brands. Make sure you get one that has all the features/modes you'll need in the future too. It's cheaper to get one with all the metering modes (spot, flash, etc...), than to later end up buying 2 or 3 light meters.

Commonman · Feb 3, 2007

Someone in this forum said light meters are not very much in demand. Yes, that may be true but I'm still finding that they are not cheap. The last one two I looked at were $250 for an ambient and $500 for a spot. What kind of spot meter can I get for $75? This would be in my price range but would it be better than just using my the light meter built into my Nikon FA3 photomic? To the person who has the Mamiya, I have not been able to gather too much info at this point. But I will check back.

Steph · Feb 3, 2007

Before you buy a spot meter make sure you really need one. It is useful under very difficult light conditions or if you use the zone system. I would think that in at least 95% of cases a simpler meter such as the Sekonic L-308s (incident and reflective measurements) is enough and probably much easier to use. However, if you take your exposure very seriously a spot meter is the most accurate solution, if used properly.

JIP · Feb 4, 2007

You can buy a meterd finder for your camera I think this will work
http://cgi.ebay.com/Mamiya-AE-Meter...2247569QQihZ014QQcategoryZ29976QQcmdZViewItem

but of not I'm sure you can find it somwhere else for a reasonable price

Commonman · Feb 13, 2007

Well, I am thinking about using the zone system. It makes a lot of sense to me. I'm also considering using a grey card. Right now I'm using a very cheap meter but it seems to get me in an okay realm.

ksmattfish · Feb 13, 2007

Commonman said:
Someone in this forum said light meters are not very much in demand. Yes, that may be true but I'm still finding that they are not cheap.

My point was that if they were in more demand, manufacturers would make and sell more of them, driving the price lower. Because they aren't in demand, less are made, and the costs are higher. It's not a general tool, it's a specialized tool.

You probably won't find a spot meter for $75, but yes, you can use a 35mm SLR with in-camera meter as a spot meter. The longer the focal length, the tighter of an area you will be able to meter.

usayit · Feb 13, 2007

I have the Sekonic L-308 flashmate.... has everything I ever needed in a handheld meter. Probably one of the most affordable but no spotmeter (those are expensive).... Takes AAAs too...

Commonman · Feb 15, 2007

ks, I would think that using the basic supply and demand economics theory, since there is less of a demand, the supply of USED light meters would be relatively constant and therefore, they would get cheaper, all other things being equal.

I noticed someone else stated that I could use my 35 mm as a spot meter. This is very interesting. Would a Nikon FA3 read like a spot meter? Are you saying it takes light readings from specific areas like a spot meter?

benjikan · Feb 15, 2007

Minolta make a very nice light/flash meter. I am using two of them. One for a backup. You can get a spot meter adapter for it.

Ben

fotogenik · Feb 15, 2007

Lightmeters are needed for in studio use with electronic flash. You just can't in camera meter light that isn't there until the shutter is fired.

Unless somone knows something I am missing.

benjikan · Feb 17, 2007

fotogenik said:
Lightmeters are needed for in studio use with electronic flash. You just can't in camera meter light that isn't there until the shutter is fired.

Unless somone knows something I am missing.

Of course you can use a light-flash meter for use with a camera indoors or outdoors. Just set your camera to "M" and set according to the light-flash meter reading. For example if you set you light-flash meter to 200 iso and set the shutter speed it will tell you the aperture. As you change the shutter speed on the meter it will change the aperture relative to the shutter speed..