Light meter advice

[Cutter]

I am just about to buy a Sekonic L358 light meter and have seen on youtube that it will probably need to calibrating to your camera. Has anyone had to do this if so was it hard ?

Thanks, any advice on light meters would be greatfuly received

[Cathus]

I have this meter & haven't needed to calibrate it, i.e. the exposures it suggests get good results with my 5d MkII.

If you find that the results suggests over or underexpose, you can calibrate it by holding a couple of buttons down when you turn it on & giving it some over or under exposure in 1/10stop graduations until it matches, but hopefully you won't need to.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Cathus

I have this meter & haven't needed to calibrate it, i.e. the exposures it suggests get good results with my 5d MkII.

If you find that the results suggests over or underexpose, you can calibrate it by holding a couple of buttons down when you turn it on & giving it some over or under exposure in 1/10stop graduations until it matches, but hopefully you won't need to.

CHeers Cathus are you happy with it ? is it worth the money ?

[Cathus]

yes, very happy with it.

After I'd been using it for a while I also got hold of the radio transmitter thingy that goes inside so I could use it wireless for studio lighting. It's fine without but you need to connect it to the of the lights with a cable in order to fire them, easier to do it wireless.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Cathus

yes, very happy with it.

After I'd been using it for a while I also got hold of the radio transmitter thingy that goes inside so I could use it wireless for studio lighting. It's fine without but you need to connect it to the of the lights with a cable in order to fire them, easier to do it wireless.

Thanks
I understand there is a 90sec switch so you can fire your flash without a receiver is that true? guess in that case you need another pair of hands.

[Cathus]

not sure I understand what you mean there.... a switch on the Flashmeter? It can only fire the lights via cable to the lights or transmitter which works with PocketWizards via a little extra module you plug inside it.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Cathus

not sure I understand what you mean there.... a switch on the Flashmeter? It can only fire the lights via cable to the lights or transmitter which works with PocketWizards via a little extra module you plug inside it.

On this video there is a setting that allows you to press a button and you have 90 sec for it to wait to register a flash.
Have a look
http://www.videojug.com/webvideo/how...-a-light-meter

[Cathus]

I've got one of his DVDs on lighting.

yes, I'd completely forgotten about that mode as I only ever used it the first time I got the meter & have never used it since, it's not that helpful unless you have someone either hold the meter for you (the model could) or you have someone to fire the flashes for you, or you have really long arms.

I suppose you could use a cheaper radio trigger attached to the lights & fire them from the transmitter in your hand as you meter the light & then put the transmitter back on the camera to take the shot.

It's less complicated doing it either with the cable or the wireless transmitter module, but of course you have to pay extra for that.

BTW Mark, I'm no expert in studio lighting or strobist techniques at all, am still learning! Unfortunately, a lack of willing models means I don't get to do studio stuff as often as I'd like.

[Cutter]

Originally Posted by Cathus

I've got one of his DVDs on lighting.

yes, I'd completely forgotten about that mode as I only ever used it the first time I got the meter & have never used it since, it's not that helpful unless you have someone either hold the meter for you (the model could) or you have someone to fire the flashes for you, or you have really long arms.

I suppose you could use a cheaper radio trigger attached to the lights & fire them from the transmitter in your hand as you meter the light & then put the transmitter back on the camera to take the shot.

It's less complicated doing it either with the cable or the wireless transmitter module, but of course you have to pay extra for that.

BTW Mark, I'm no expert in studio lighting or strobist techniques at all, am still learning! Unfortunately, a lack of willing models means I don't get to do studio stuff as often as I'd like.

Thanks for the info, I am no expert either but want to learn how to get ratios with my lighting and the only way is with a meter, it has been hit and miss so far, I hope the meter helps me take the guess work out. I have lots of models but unfortunatly a wife that doesnt understand, if you know what i mean LOL

[Cathus]

a light meter will definitely up your game & make it so much quicker & simpler for you