Light Meter Help

[joechappell]

I have just bought a K-3 and it is my firest film camera. I know I need a light meter, but I dont know which kind. Can you recommend a few models and types? Also how do you use it, sorry if this sounds stupid but can anyone give me kinda a dummie walk through of what I need and how to use it and possibly even why we do this? I know somwhere in there you need or should use a grey card, other than that I have no clue. Sorry for the ignorance, I just dont know and have looked all over these forums to try and find the answers with not much luck. Thanks for any help you can give.

 

Joe

[J. Lamar King IMPOSTOR]

Actually what you should do is pick up a copy of a bigginers filmmaking book like "Cinematography" by Kris Malkiewicz. A usual light meter for begginers is a Sekonic L-398 Studio Deluxe. It can be had for between $50 and $150.

[Phil Rhodes]

What surprises me was that I picked up that L-398 on a whim, and everyone immediately went "Yep, that's the one."

 

Phil

[Rik Andino]

Your best bet is to read the books

But I'll give you the quick overview

 

Motion Picture Film unlike Video won't show you immediately what you're shooting

(one of its disadvantages)

So you gotta develop it (just like photos) to see it

 

So you gotta decide how to expose it

From the knowledge of the lens, the film ASA, and the amount of light available

(If you've ever done any photography this would be easier to explain)

 

The Film ASA is already rated on it (it's can be anything from 250D to 800T)

 

Now what you need to know about lens is the amount of light to let in

For your case I'll make it simple--> Just look at the T-Stops/F-Stops

Adjust the F-stops accordingly to get the right exposure

 

A light meter measures the amount of light falling on a subject/area

Or sometimes the amount of light reflected from the subject/area

 

It either reads it out in foot candles or more practically in F-stops

 

So you place your Film's ASA on the light meter and then measure the light

You get the f-stop you need

Adjust the lens to that F-stop and there's your exposure

 

It gets more complicated down the line when you learn to control exposure

But for your level this'll do.

 

 

I usually recommend for people in your level to try to go to film school

Just getting advice from an internet forum and reading a book isn't enough

Sometimes you need a couple of classes from experienced professors

And you need to collaborate with students in your level to get better.

Few things are worth more than a good education.

[Guest Sean McVeigh]

Another great way to learn about exposure is to pick up an old all-manual 35mm still camera. (or the latest and greatest, but set into full manual mode). Shoot some slide film and experiment with your meter -- try metering shadows and overexposing from there, etc. Sure, you can just transfer the readings from your light meter to your lens, but where's the fun in that? This is supposed to be art right? ;)

 

(as for the light meter, they only really vary in price based on the features they provide.. and ironically, I'd say that as you get more experienced exposing film, you may tend to rely less and less on those features. Sunny-16 anyone??)

 

Cheers,

Sean