ev vs. fstop light meter?

[JimG]

I found a light meter I want but instead of providing an aperture reading it gives the ev #. So do users need to learn the equivalent apertures to use these meters? (I bet this is a really dumb question and I'll be sorry I asked.) Jim

 

[Kim Coxon]

The easiest thing would be to make up a small table. The EV number combines both the f stop and shutter speed.

Kim

 

[JimG]

Good idea Kim I'll look those up.

 

[Kim Coxon]

If you can't find one, let me know and I will make one up for you.

Kim

Good idea Kim I'll look those up.

 

[Solinar]

This definitely is not a dumb question.

Old "EV only" meters were meant for cameras with an LVS scale indicator usually found on the shutter body. LVS is an abreviation for "light value system." These cameras were popular in the late 1950's and I have three of these cameras.

Unlike an "EV only" meter, most EV meters that are in use have an indicator needle that points to an exposure value. The photographer then rotates a dial that then gives all shutter/aperture combinations for that exposure. A Gossen Luna Pro and my current Gossen Digisix work this way.

For the modern photog, it really, really is better to get a more modern meter. Some require you to chase a needle or a light emitting diode to get the aperture/shutter combinations. Others display the shutter / aperture infor automatically on an LCD display. The photog selects either the aperture or shutter speed.

Out of curiosity, is this a selenium cell, analog type meter that simply uses a needle to point to either a black or silver colored zone?

 

[Solinar]

The shutter body on my "avatar" is an LVS shutter. It has the EV numbers on the bottom face of the shutter ring. If you look closely, you should be able to see the pointer.

 

[HansDerHase]

If you can't find one, let me know and I will make one up for you.

If you are good at mental aritchmetic:

EV 15 = "Sunny 16" (at ISO 100)

so

EV 15 = 1/125 @ f16

I use that as a starting point. Thats a pretty good training for your brain btw. Especially when your subject is moving fast 🙂

 

[JimG]

It maybe a poor choice but it also might be interesting to learn how to use it. It's a really small WALZ meter (selenium cell I think) that fits on the camera. It indicates ev by a needle that swings side to side and the numbers are matched by light and dark areas on a scale. I want it for my Leica II because it's small enough for this camera. (Leica meters look kind of chunky to me on Barnaks)

Kim -I haven't found any information about ev scales in my photography text books or elsewhere, so that would be most helpful, Thanks'.

 

[Swissmadepix]

Hi Jim, for myself, I like using an EV-meter (Gossen Digisix: at one glance I have all combinations between shutters speeds and f/ stops that are applicable to the metered conditions. I usually try to use the sunny 16 first and get a confirmation by the meter reading.

Very useful is this page . Scroll down to "Exposure Value Chart" - it will give you estimations of EVs and the "Exposure Factor Relationship Chart" will give you the combos for any given film speed and EV.

Greets ! Reto

 

[JimG]

Reto, I understand the chart. I will just need to print it out and carry it with me until I get use to making the transition from f-stop to EV value. I might even learn something in the process. Thanks, JimG