What sort of meter should I buy...

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What sort of meter should I buy...

Postby Alpha_7 on Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:39 pm

Well I'm currently hopelessly confused, I've been trawling Ebay looking at light meters and literally the prices range from $1-$500+, the types and ages are varied and I'm just not sure what I need.

Why am I looking for a meter ? The Leica I now own (M4-P) is meterless, so far I when I meter I have two options, guess based on the Sunny 16 rule, or use D70/D200 to meter the same scene and hope it matches up to what happening inside the Leica (I haven't developed any of the film yet, but I have been keeping a record of what I shot the images at, so I can get an idea of how they turn out.

I know previously people have got all excited about the $300-$500 awesome light meters, I know Chris was impressed with his etc Can one of the cheaper jobs do sufficiently so I don't have to use all my pocket money ?
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Postby sirhc55 on Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:48 pm

This would be more than adequate Craig - Sekonic 308s $192.00 from Poon :wink:
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Postby Alpha_7 on Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:53 pm

Chris - I could maybe stretch the budget that far if I behave myself. Can this do for want of a better word spot metering as well as incident metering ?
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Postby Alpha_7 on Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:57 pm

I did some reading and it looks like it does.
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Postby gstark on Thu Oct 11, 2007 5:57 pm

Craig,

Speaking in very general terms, I think the minimum specification you should be looking for, and also keeping in mind potential future usage - would be that the unit has direct and incident reading capabilities (and I cannot think of any meter that doesn't provide that level of functionality) and it would be highly desirable to also have flash metering capabilities as well.

If you have those three bases covered, then all of your needs for the foreseeable future should be addressed.

And the Sekonic 308s that Chris mentioned has all of that and more.
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Postby PiroStitch on Thu Oct 11, 2007 6:11 pm

You won't go wrong with a 2nd hand Minolta flash meter IV or V
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Postby Oz_Beachside on Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:18 am

if I had $100, id get a used minolta
if I had $200, id get a sekonic 308
if I had $400, id get the 558 or 778.

my first meter was a gossen digi6, it works well, its a flat pack, fits in shirt pocket nicely. big display.

after doing more studio stuff, wanted more, so upgraded to sekonic 778, love it.

since you want it for ambient metering, what about a used tiny one, like the little gossens? very small.
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Postby PiroStitch on Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:10 am

lol bruce, i don't think you can get a used minolta for $100. The autometers maybe but they're not that good.
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