Averaging light meter readings

[Mark A. Rapp]

Question: When taking multiple light readings on set, when averaging the readings, should one average the number readings as a regular average?

 

Example: 2.8 + 5.6 = 8.4

 

8.4/2 = 4.2

 

So the setting is 4.2?

 

Or is there another formula for this type of averaging?

[Stephen Williams]

Question: When taking multiple light readings on set, when averaging the readings, should one average the number readings as a regular average?

 

Example: 2.8 + 5.6 = 8.4

 

8.4/2 = 4.2

 

So the setting is 4.2?

 

Or is there another formula for this type of averaging?

 

 

Hi,

 

FWIW the mid point between 2.8 & 5.6 is 4!

 

I don't average readings, I decide how I want the shot to look like and expose acording to that. The question is how much under or over Key do I want a light to be.

 

Stephen

[Jonathan Bowerbank]

Example: 2.8 + 5.6 = 8.4

 

8.4/2 = 4.2

 

So the setting is 4.2?

 

Or is there another formula for this type of averaging?

 

Wow...anyway

 

Yeah, you don't want to just set your aperture to what's average for all the readings you get.

 

Decide what you want at key, under and over, then set your f-stop accordingly. Or better yet, as I do, decide on an f-stop beforehand and meter everything according to that.