Art and Photography

Good and cheap light meter?

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Jun 17, 2012
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In another world

Good and cheap light meter?

Any recommendations on a good and cheap light meter?
Looking for something basic, easy to understand that won't break the bank.
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Deal Addict
May 6, 2007
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gontori wrote: Any recommendations on a good and cheap light meter?
Looking for something basic, easy to understand that won't break the bank.
Got a phone? There are many apps that use the light sensor in your phone to act as a light meter.
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Jun 15, 2012
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^ Thanks, wow so many results at the App Store, any recommendations for iOS?
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Aug 30, 2007
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I like my Polaris SPD100 - got it used from ebay under 100$, works well in my studio (strobes).
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May 6, 2007
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pulsar123 wrote: I like my Polaris SPD100 - got it used from ebay under 100$, works well in my studio (strobes).
Ya that's one thing the Apps don't do is strobes.
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Oct 27, 2014
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A light meter in the age of digital photography? What for? To know the amount of light you are getting?
If you looked at the pictures while you were shooting them you can not be wrong by too much. Why not to take a shot and than look at the histogram, you will see if it shifted too much towards the dark or too much towards overexposed? In the post processing you can shift your exposure up and down by couple EV so you have enough info in your RAW files to compensate for small mistakes.
Why spend money and than time during your photoshoot for something you do not need?
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Jul 30, 2003
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Sekonic l-358 is a good/basic/popular light meter. I have seen it go for ~150 used.
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Jun 29, 2008
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I still shoot film so a light meter is handy. Though I sold mine a few years ago and just use an app.
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Oct 8, 2005
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I have the L358 and I'm too lazy to use it - not really a must-have unless you're constantly adjusting your lighting. Besides, your camera has histogram.
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Dec 11, 2003
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[QUOTE]A light meter in the age of digital photography? What for? [/QUOTE]

Reflected VS incident?? I'll take #2

I have a Minolta IIIf, don't use it for farting around but do if I need to shoot a strobe or flash setup.
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thericyip wrote: I still shoot film so a light meter is handy. Though I sold mine a few years ago and just use an app.
What app do you use?
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Aug 30, 2007
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IAMABADMADAFAKA wrote: A light meter in the age of digital photography? What for? To know the amount of light you are getting?
If you looked at the pictures while you were shooting them you can not be wrong by too much. Why not to take a shot and than look at the histogram, you will see if it shifted too much towards the dark or too much towards overexposed? In the post processing you can shift your exposure up and down by couple EV so you have enough info in your RAW files to compensate for small mistakes.
Why spend money and than time during your photoshoot for something you do not need?
Try that with multiple strobes in home studio (I have five). Every portrait will be by trial and error, which with five strobes could mean a long time. If you are trying to get a certain look of your portrait (corresponding to certain flux ratios), a lightmeter can save you a lot of time.

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