Light metering and lens filters

[hooray4mo]

I'm on the market to buy a light meter as I've been getting into portrait photography a lot more lately. I also have quite a few lens filters that came with the various cameras that I've acquired over the years. With that being said, I want to get ahead of the learning curve and learn to use a light meter properly with the lens filters.
How would I go about adjusting the settings on the light meter appropriately/accurately to compensate for when a lens filter is attached?
Obviously it will vary depending on each individual lens filter, as they have differing intensities.
(Before you ask, I HAVE tried googling and also YouTubing some answers but I have yet to come across anything that gives me an in-depth answer =/)

 

[Stevedevil01]

The easiest way of setting the camera accurately is to place the “Filter” your wanting to use in front of the light meter sensor before you take a reading, as this way you will be able to use the settings gained to set on your camera to get correct exposure when you put the filter on the lens..

 

[Hardus Nameous]

Most filters I've seen a "filter factor" in F-stops. It's usually printed on the case or a spec-sheet or something. Depending on the age you may be able to look it up on the internet.

 

[cgw]

The easiest way of setting the camera accurately is to place the “Filter” your wanting to use in front of the light meter sensor before you take a reading, as this way you will be able to use the settings gained to set on your camera to get correct exposure when you put the filter on the lens..

No. See below.

 

[cgw]

Most filters I've seen a "filter factor" in F-stops. It's usually printed on the case or a spec-sheet or something. Depending on the age you may be able to look it up on the internet.

Yup. That's what exposure compensation is about. Some meters(e.g.,Sekonic)allow storage of those adjusted ISOs. Have mine set for polarizers. Useful.

I'm on the market to buy a light meter as I've been getting into portrait photography a lot more lately. I also have quite a few lens filters that came with the various cameras that I've acquired over the years. With that being said, I want to get ahead of the learning curve and learn to use a light meter properly with the lens filters.
How would I go about adjusting the settings on the light meter appropriately/accurately to compensate for when a lens filter is attached?
Obviously it will vary depending on each individual lens filter, as they have differing intensities.
(Before you ask, I HAVE tried googling and also YouTubing some answers but I have yet to come across anything that gives me an in-depth answer =/)

Seriously? There's a pile of stuff. Try "filter factor."

 

[RAZKY]

I've found it simple to apply the filter factor to the camera after taking a reading - doesn't work for polarizers, of course, as the factor varies. I set my meter for whatever ISO I wish for the film in use, and leave it there for that film.

 

[cgw]

I've found it simple to apply the filter factor to the camera after taking a reading - doesn't work for polarizers, of course, as the factor varies. I set my meter for whatever ISO I wish for the film in use, and leave it there for that film.

I use big Mamiya polarizers on my MF cameras. +1.5 stops works just fine. Having a meter with two ISO settings makes it easy.

 

[Stevedevil01]

Wow a lot to read, and some fair answers, Being in the Film area there will be a lot of questions over what film, B&W or Colour, as filters in film will depend on what filter and Colour or B&W, as if you develop yourself a lot of the filters can be added in processing, I use film still and only use ND Grad filters that state their F Stop, as can add the sepia etc in processing,

 

[RAZKY]

I use big Mamiya polarizers on my MF cameras. +1.5 stops works just fine. Having a meter with two ISO settings makes it easy.

I assume you're using negative film? My B+W polarizers range from 1 to 1.5 stops - too great a range to use any one factor with transparency film.

 

[cgw]

I assume you're using negative film? My B+W polarizers range from 1 to 1.5 stops - too great a range to use any one factor with transparency film.

It ain't linear. Polarizers aren't since the effect is subject to a raft of variables. And no, I've shot a km or so of 120 E100, Velvia et al along with TMY-2. No complaints. Anything off gets well in post.

 

[Stevedevil01]

CGW, lots of negative responses, Hooray has asked a good question, rather than beating all the responses up, offer some good advice maybe, as you seem to think you have all the answers ??

 

[hooray4mo]

CGW, lots of negative responses, Hooray has asked a good question, rather than beating all the responses up, offer some good advice maybe, as you seem to think you have all the answers ??

Thank you Steve. I noticed that poster tends to do that a lot in various threads, so I try not to take it personal. I'm here to ask questions and learn as I go Though it doesn't help if people who take the time to reply are condescending

They did offer some usable advice though. The proper terminology I guess I needed to look up is "filter factor". Now I know

 

[Hardus Nameous]

....and knowing is half the battle......

 

[cgw]

CGW, lots of negative responses, Hooray has asked a good question, rather than beating all the responses up, offer some good advice maybe, as you seem to think you have all the answers ??

This isn't a petting zoo.

 

[cgw]

CGW, lots of negative responses, Hooray has asked a good question, rather than beating all the responses up, offer some good advice maybe, as you seem to think you have all the answers ??

Hilarious...