What light meter should I get?

[momo3boys]

I have never used a light meter other than the one in my camera, so I'm curious if I should get one, and after some searching there are a lot of different ones, what one should I get. I am not new to photography, but I am no professional. (I get paid for weddings and portraits but its definitely not high end.) What are the benefits to using a light meter other than the one on the camera?

 

[cgipson1]

I used the Sekonic L358... it is a good, relatively inexpensive meter. I use it mostly for setting up flash shots outdoors, with good ambient background exposures with the primary subject about a half stop brighter than the background, for "pop". But it is excellent for any metering needs... especially for really accurate flash (and fast) portraiture metering.

 

[KmH]

I get paid for weddings and portraits.......

Then you really shouldn't be posting in the Beginners forum section. :lmao:

Sekonic also makes the L-308s.

 

[gsgary]

I would try and get hold of a used Minolta V great meter £450 when they were new

 

[tirediron]

I would try and get hold of a used Minolta V get meter £450 when they were new

Second this! I picked mine up for ~$150, and it's an outstanding meter. Every function you could possibly want except for the ability to wirelessly trip your strobes (It has a PC port, so you can trip them via PC cable).

 

[gsgary]

I would try and get hold of a used Minolta V get meter £450 when they were new

Second this! I picked mine up for ~$150, and it's an outstanding meter. Every function you could possibly want except for the ability to wirelessly trip your strobes (It has a PC port, so you can trip them via PC cable).

I use my wireless trigger

 

[tirediron]

I would try and get hold of a used Minolta V get meter £450 when they were new

Second this! I picked mine up for ~$150, and it's an outstanding meter. Every function you could possibly want except for the ability to wirelessly trip your strobes (It has a PC port, so you can trip them via PC cable).

I use my wireless trigger

Moi aussi; just pointing out that it is about the only featuring lacking in the Flash V (and, IMO, a very minor one). Beats the pants off of the 300-series Sekonics.

 

[gsgary]

Second this! I picked mine up for ~$150, and it's an outstanding meter. Every function you could possibly want except for the ability to wirelessly trip your strobes (It has a PC port, so you can trip them via PC cable).

I use my wireless trigger

Moi aussi; just pointing out that it is about the only featuring lacking in the Flash V (and, IMO, a very minor one). Beats the pants off of the 300-series Sekonics.

You can also read ambient and flash together

 

[katerolla]

I use a sekonic L 358 I use it indoor and out door portraits with flash lights

 

[480sparky44 43]

I use a Gossen Starlight (now replaced by the Starlight 2).

Ambient, reflected, as well as 5° and 1° spots. Can calculate 9 readings for an average, as well as add up 9 strobe triggers.

I used it this morning while the sun came up over Lake Michigan along the Chicago skyline. My camera was 30' up in the air, and I didn't want to use Auto exposure. Having the meter, I could take all sorts of light readings to set the exposure through the computer, which was tethered to the camera set in M.

 

[Overread19]

*moving to equipment subsection*

 

[momo3boys]

Thank you! I'm sorry if I put it in the wrong section. I'm still new here and I haven't even seen all the sections yet!

If I do get a light Meter for my birthday, is there an easy tutorial somewhere? I may get paid but that doesn't mean I don't have a lot to learn!

 

[480sparky44 43]

The best tutorial you'll ever find is to take some time with your camera & meter. Go forth and actuate. Make a note of the difference the in-camera meter settings and what your hand-held is saying. Look at the scene in the viewfinder and try to understand why there is a difference, if any.

 

[Netskimmer]

The best tutorial you'll ever find is to take some time with your camera & meter. Go forth and actuate. Make a note of the difference the in-camera meter settings and what your hand-held is saying. Look at the scene in the viewfinder and try to understand why there is a difference, if any.

You just made my sig.

 

[c.cloudwalker]

[h=2]What light meter should I get?[/h]
None. At least not until you have any idea why you even need one.