light meter question (sekonic l358)

[dkenz]

I recently purchased a sekonic light meter L358 to work with my ab800 with a 22" beauty dish...

scenario:

setup...

ab800 with 22" BD set to 1/8 power, 45 degree down to models head

model head is 2 feet away

i metered under models chin using corded and wireless and was given iso 100, T60, f11


used the settings on my cam, took a shot....

its a stop under expose....meaning if the change it to f9 its perfect.....

i dont have any experience with light meters and am wondering why its underexpose....

 

[pgriz]

Put a grey card in there (where your model's head would be) and shoot that using the meter's settings. Check whether the grey card values on the histogram are close to 127/127/127. If yes, the exposure as calculated by the meter is correct. If the values are substantially higher or lower, then you'll need to check the meter. I'd shoot a grey card under ambient (non-flash) conditions with the meter-recommended exposures, upload the images into image processing software, and see where the grey-card values lie. I've learned that my camera routinely under-exposes by 2/3 stop compared the the lightmeter and greycard values. With flash, my exposures are pretty much bang-on. I'm using the same meter as you.

 

[KmH]

Light meters need to be calibrated. Sekonic Support FAQs: Calibrating your flash meter