How to use a hand light-meter?

[Darkroom User]

I posted this question in the darkroom discussion group, but was told i
was not the appropriate group to post, so I will try here in the film
labs section instead.
Film needs to be exposed properly for the best results, so I hope nobod
here takes umbrage.

As obtaining correct film exposure is of fundamental importance t
provide good negatives, would a hand meter be a worth while investmen
instead of relying on the TTL metering of my 35mm SLR Camera that I us
at the moment?
I also use this to transfer readings across to my Mamiya RB67 mediu
format camera.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of incident versus reflecte
measurements?
I would like to know more about using a hand meter before parting wit
my money.
I saw a Kenko KFM-2100 on-line, but it can be any other models an
brands you can think of, as I am not sure what to buy. Please help an
advise


--
Darkroom User

[Paul Giverin]

Post by Darkroom User
I posted this question in the darkroom discussion group, but was told
it
was not the appropriate group to post, so I will try here in the film &
labs section instead.

I saw your original post and it made me smile. I've been lurking in that
group for a year or so. It gets about one post a month which is quickly
followed up by a reply stating that the original post was off topic for
the group.

I know that constant OT posts can be a pain in high volume groups but in
near dead groups its not a big issue. You have to wonder if the reason
the group is dead has something to do with the anal replies from the one
or two remaining regulars.

Anyway, I enjoyed your question. I'm still trying to work out if its
worthwhile getting my own light meter repaired. Its a lovely old Weston
Master V complete with invercone which I picked up for a few pounds.
Unfortunately the selenium cell is just about dead and the cost of
getting it replaced is approaching the cost of a modern lightmeter.

[K W Hart]

I posted this question in the darkroom discussion group, but was told it
was not the appropriate group to post, so I will try here in the film &
labs section instead.
Film needs to be exposed properly for the best results, so I hope nobody
here takes umbrage.
As obtaining correct film exposure is of fundamental importance to
provide good negatives, would a hand meter be a worth while investment
instead of relying on the TTL metering of my 35mm SLR Camera that I use
at the moment?
I also use this to transfer readings across to my Mamiya RB67 medium
format camera.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of incident versus reflected
measurements?
I would like to know more about using a hand meter before parting with
my money.
I saw a Kenko KFM-2100 on-line, but it can be any other models and
brands you can think of, as I am not sure what to buy. Please help and
advise.

Very generally, a handheld meter is more accurate than one built into the
camera- very generally. A handheld meter might be easier to read and adjust
than the TTL meter.

I usually carry a meter with me-- I read the meter, look at the conditions,
and set the exposure to what I thought it should be without the meter
reading!

A reflected measurement is an overall average reading. An incident
measurement is more specific, and depending on circumstances may be more
accurate. However, in some cases (a picture of the Grand Canyon?), an
incident reading is difficult to impossible.

Keep in mind that the meter wants whatever it measures to be 18% gray. If
you are reading a snow scene, the meter will try to make the snow gray.

As to specific models, you might want to consider a meter that can read
electronic flash, or a spot meter (you look thru it and pick the spot you
want to read); depending on the kind of shooting you do. A digital readout
might be more rugged than a moving needle meter.

Ken Hart

[Harold Gough]

Post by K W Hart
Keep in mind that the meter wants whatever it measures to be 18% gray. If
you are reading a snow scene, the meter will try to make the snow gray.

This is only the case with a reflected light reading. The incident meter
reading is independent of the reflectivity of the subject. However, the
incident reading should, within the characteristics limits if the
flim/sensor, enable the image to show brightness representative of the
correct reflectivity of all parts of the subject, including those with
80% reflectivity.

[Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler]

Dear Darkroom User,

I posted this question in the darkroom discussion group, but was told it
was not the appropriate group to post, so I will try here in the film &
labs section instead.
Film needs to be exposed properly for the best results, so I hope nobody
here takes umbrage.
As obtaining correct film exposure is of fundamental importance to
provide good negatives, would a hand meter be a worth while investment
instead of relying on the TTL metering of my 35mm SLR Camera that I use
at the moment?

please have a look onto

http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/text_faq_foto_methoden.html

espically onto

http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/faq_methoden1.html

and

http://www.gossen-photo.de/pdf/digital_e.pdf

You can use a grey card to get a proper calibrated setting with a TTL
exposure meter.

Yours sincerely

Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler

I also use this to transfer readings across to my Mamiya RB67 medium
format camera.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of incident versus reflected
measurements?
I would like to know more about using a hand meter before parting with
my money.
I saw a Kenko KFM-2100 on-line, but it can be any other models and
brands you can think of, as I am not sure what to buy. Please help and
advise.

[Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler]

O Dear,

I've missed Ansel Adams, see

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zone_System

This is a very good explanation about the theoretical background!

Yours sincerely

Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler

Post by Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler
Dear Darkroom User,

I posted this question in the darkroom discussion group, but was told it
was not the appropriate group to post, so I will try here in the film &
labs section instead.
Film needs to be exposed properly for the best results, so I hope nobody
here takes umbrage.
As obtaining correct film exposure is of fundamental importance to
provide good negatives, would a hand meter be a worth while investment
instead of relying on the TTL metering of my 35mm SLR Camera that I use
at the moment?

please have a look onto
http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/text_faq_foto_methoden.html
espically onto
http://www.gossen-photo.de/english/faq_methoden1.html
and
http://www.gossen-photo.de/pdf/digital_e.pdf
You can use a grey card to get a proper calibrated setting with a TTL
exposure meter.
Yours sincerely
Christoph-Erdmann Pfeiler

I also use this to transfer readings across to my Mamiya RB67 medium
format camera.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of incident versus reflected
measurements?
I would like to know more about using a hand meter before parting with
my money.
I saw a Kenko KFM-2100 on-line, but it can be any other models and
brands you can think of, as I am not sure what to buy. Please help and
advise.

[Keith Tapscott.]

Kodak have a publication about light-meters and how to use them on thei
website which you might find useful.
http://tinyurl.com/357eta


--
Keith Tapscott.