I have two light meters: Sekonic L208 and Sekonic L328. I use them both.
I don't seem to have the problems that others report with the L208
suggesting underexposure but then, to me, a meter is just that: a
meter. I interpret the meters' reading per what I know of the scene.
The same goes for the in-camera metering system. I spend a good bit of
time and energy learning what the in-camera meter does in all its
various modes and a broad variety of lighting situations, using
whatever tools are needed. Including the histogram display.
And then, knowing what a meter does, I turn off all the analytic tools
and just shoot without looking, when I'm working.
My primary need for a hand held meter these days is for flash setups
so the L208 gets only occasional use and the L328 is used with the
standard incident dome 90%+ of the time. I also use it for calibration
testing of the in-camera meters.
Were I in the market for a new meter now, I'd buy the Sekonic L358
which replaced the L328 in their line. It has a larger dome and more
sensitivity, a little nicer shape in the hand.
But overall, learning the particulars of an in-camera meter and using
it properly is more than adequate for the VAST majority of my work.
That, and guessing intelligently. ;-)
Godfrey
On Feb 25, 2009, at 7:04 PM, Nick David Wright wrote:
I personally really hate that process. Shoot, chimp, shoot, chimp. I
like to just be able to shoot and know that the photo was exposed
the way I wanted it.
That's one of the myriad reasons I was so anxious to switch back to
Pentax, in my experience with the cameras in the past the meters
were extremely reliable. And I'm finding that's still true today,
even with my older Program Plus. Even in tricky situations it -- for
the most part -- chooses the exposure I would've chosen. I love it.
So maybe I really don't need a separate light meter after all? That
nasty old gear-headedness poking its head up again. ;)
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