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Light meter questions


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Just a couple questions...

 

How often do you use a light meter while working? (assuming digital since film would be obvious)

 

What do you think of this one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/245894-REG/Spectra_Cine_18002AB_Professional_IV_A_P_2000EL_A_Digital.html

 

Also, any cheaper recommendations for a good light meter?

 

I currently use a dslr for most projects and I have heard that light meters make things a lot easier. I used one all the time for studio photography, but now I just light by looking at the camera lcd. Is that a bad habit?

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That's a good meter. I use an older model Spectra but you would do great with this one.

 

I think that most people on here would say that they use the LCD for framing and quick looks but

would never trust it too much for judgements about lighting, favoring instead a good production monitor

and a waveform monitor. Without those things, most people learn to do their best with their skills and meter

and using zebras if the camera LCD has them.

 

With film, I usually work by setting the film ASA. With video I like to work with footcandles, setting a key to

a certain amount and working with my meter from that. Some people set a digital "speed" like it's a film speed but I

prefer not to do that.

 

LCDs are too limited in too many ways for most people to rely on them for making such critical decisions.

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I mainly use a SPECTRA incident meter like this one http://www.clubfree.com/spectra/images/classic1.gif to help light greenscreens evenly. I only measure footcandles, using my 1K Arri openfaced with a Chimera as the base then basing the other light levels to that.

 

Otherwise, with video, I use my zebras set at 70% to get an idea of where I'm at exposure wise, but I don't generally light according to numbers on the meter, preferring to light to my eye instead.

 

I also have one of these http://harrysproshop.com/Sekonic_Meters/L-758DR.jpg but don't use it very often. When I do, I tend to use it for the spotmeter function when I'm "trapped" behind the camera.

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