A question (older M Bodies and metering)

[sc_rufctr]

Do we really need a meter with our older Ms?

Maybe I'm getting old and crusty but I can't help but think they're not important at all.
I've got two working meters. A hand held Gossen and the current Voigtlander but I barely use either of them 😕

 

[RichW]

No 😎

I had a voigtlander VC Meter II and call me stupid but I couldn't use it properly, most of my images came out underexposed and I couldn't figure out why so now I just guess, but then I mostly use black and white film and it's not necessary to be exact anyway

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Godfrey]

I get my most accurate film exposures when I use an incident light meter, but half the time I just guess. I've been doing it so long I'm only rarely off by more than a half stop.

 

[kshapero]

sunny16, baby.

 

[ruby.monkey]

I find that I never need a meter until I do, regardless of body. YMMV.

 

[sleepyhead]

I carry a small incident meter in my pocket and take a quick reading once in a while (like if I move from sun to shade, or indoors to outdoors).
In between readings, I gueses the small variations in lights.
My results are fine for negative film.
If I shot positive film, however, then I think I would be more meticulous with the meter - I don't like those blown highlights...

 

[shadowfox]

I almost never use a meter when shooting with my M4-P.
I bring a small Sekonic lightmeter but rarely have to use it.

Like Akiva said above: Sunny 16 rulez! 🙂

 

[sc_rufctr]

A very spontaneous shot of one of my daughters. No meter... M4-P, 21mm Super-angulon

 

[ChrisN]

Ahh, but to make a fine print you need a fine negative! Your chances will be better if your vision is supported with good exposure, good film, and good development. If you have the time, why not use a meter? 🙂

 

[Gareth Rees]

Ahh, but to make a fine print you need a fine negative! Your chances will be better if your vision is supported with good exposure, good film, and good development. If you have the time, why not use a meter? 🙂
__________________
Chris


I completely agree.

 

[mdarnton]

I used to shoot bare, no meter, for about 30 years. Recently I'm using a Nikon FG with a meter. I thought I was doing fine without, but as I compare strips of film from then and now, I guess I wasn't as good at guessing as I thought I was. I wonder how many people who think they have meters in their brains are in the same boat as I was, and don't know it, as I didn't.

 

[thegman]

For slide film, yes. For colour negative, maybe not. Also I guess it depends on your skill levels and also your standards. I don't mind a bit of over exposure here and there, but if I want to take my time and really try to take a good shot, then I'll meter.

 

[philipus]

For slide film, yes. For colour negative, maybe not. Also I guess it depends on your skill levels and also your standards. I don't mind a bit of over exposure here and there, but if I want to take my time and really try to take a good shot, then I'll meter.

I agree with this.

 

[emayoh]

My in-head metering scheme with my M2 is very, very complex. But, now here for the first time I can share it with the world. I believe this method covers all the bases, and you're welcome to adapt it to your own situation:

I start with a guess. Now, many of you will accuse me of being half-assed, but I really am diligent. Listen: First, I subtract a stop for my bad eyes. Then, I add a stop and a half to protect the highlights, subtract a stop because it's expired film, subtract a stop because it's a hazy lens, add a stop to squeeze out some more depth of field, subtract a stop for luck, add a stop for love. Then I add a half a stop because the sun has gone down during my all my figuring. Of course, I subtract a stop because I'm not sure if my developer's fresh. Finally, I add one final stop to to amp up the mysterious drama. Then, and only then will I squeeze the shutter to allow just the right amount of light into the box.

I'm still looking for a meter that can handle these calculations reliably.

 

[kbg32]

You really don't need a meter with negative film. Experience is all you need. Keep shooting. Use one film. Make mistakes. You'll get there quick enough.

 

[Dirk]

You don't need a meter if you have the experience to accurately guess exposure. I found using a hand-held meter (in my case an iPhone with a light meter app) teaches me to evaluate exposure without it. But you need to use it until you can do it yourself.