Going meterless on film?

[peterm1]

Hi All,

For a while I have been using my Leica M2 with the Voigtlander VC Meter II sitting comfortably in the cold shoe. The batteries were dying recently, and I took the opportunity to start using the camera without the meter attached. I must say I have found the experience quite liberating, and also sharpens the sunny 16 skills. It also saves the time of setting the dials on the meter and transposing to the camera body. I was wondering if other people find the experience of not using a meter more enjoyable that having it available?

I agree it is liberating. But I seldom went "full commando" when I shot film (I seldom do these days) and instead I kept a meter in my pocket just in case. I usually only used it at the beginning of the shoot then thereafter based all my subsequent shooting on my estimate of how the present ambient lighting matched the original reading. (e.g. if I stepped into shadow I opened up a stop, if it was deep shadow, maybe two stops etc).

It seldom failed and felt great.

Truth is since I was using incident lighting not reflected light readings from the subject(s) it is seldom necessary to change exposure much if at all, once you are confident of how to set the camera for the first shot - light seldom changes by more than a stop or so in given conditions on any given day.

 

[gb hill]

I have the my light meter app on my iPhone so wether I use it or not it’s always available.

 

[farlymac]

As I've accumulated more cameras without meters, it was much quicker to just wing it than having to check a hand held every so often. Like CharlesDAMorgan I had trouble at first because of my eyeglasses, but I finally took them off while shooting so I could see the light and its subtle changes much better. I have diopters for most of my cameras now, at least the ones that are more critical in need. Seasonal adjustments took more getting used to, and time of day, but now I do it almost automatically.

PF

 

[Guth]

Lots of great suggestions in this thread for someone like me who has been trying to figure out how free myself a bit more from the light meter. Nice!

 

[scautez]

Yes, thank you everyone for your comments. Very interesting. I sometimes ponder the idea of an analogue hand held meter, but will give the meterless option a go for a while.

 

[David Hughes]

A long long time ago, the 1950's, I had an exposure calculator and used it. After a while I found I could guess the answer and stopped using it. You can still find these calculators about; often very cheaply like the Kodak ones or free like this one:-
http://www.squit.co.uk/photo/exposurecalc.html

FWIW I've several in the heap from 1915 onwards, some English, some German, some Russian* and so on. Unlike the funny 16 rule they allow for the light varying over the year and the subject matter and much more. And as a simple training aid they have no equal.

I can put up some photos if anyone is that interested.

Regards, David

* The USSR ones even allow for the latitude of the photographer. Better than relying on the latitude of the film...

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

Just took a wander with the Leica III and estimated the exposures (which I checked on the phone lightmeter - all matched), so I'll see how they turn out.

 

[Out to Lunch]

Confusing...you have meter less cameras...guess the light...and then check your guesswork on your mobile phone. I prefer to have the meter inside the camera. A lot less hassle.

 

[narsuitus]

I was wondering if other people find the experience of not using a meter more enjoyable that having it available?

None of my large format or medium format film cameras have built-in light meters. Half of my 35mm film cameras either do not have a built-in light meter or have a non-functional built-in light meter.

I routinely shoot with a hand-held light meter or use the Sunny 16 Exposure Guideline.

I cannot say that shooting without a light meter is more enjoyable but I can say that when I forgot to pack my light meter for an out-of-town outdoor wedding, I was glad I had learned to shoot without a meter.

 

[Pentode]

If I’m using a camera with a meter I’ll take advantage of it but fewer than half of my cameras are metered. When I carry an unmetered camera I seldom bring a handheld meter along. There’s one in my cellphone, but that often stays in my pocket.

I do pretty well with sunny 16. I have my good days and bad days (cloudy/overcast and dusk can be especially tricky) but I mostly shoot black and white so I usually have enough latitude to not have problems and, yes, I do find it liberating to just think about shooting and not worry too much about meter readings.

 

[Paulbe]

Greg---what light meter app do you have on your phone?
Thanks---
Paul

 

[Dpingr1]

Nothing wrong with metered cameras — I have a bunch. When the camera I’m carrying has a meter, I use it. But most of my favorite cameras to use when I’m walking around don’t have them. Plus, I don’t consider evaluating exposure by eye as guesswork. When you do it all the time and get consistently good negatives, then it’s just another skill that makes photography fun. Anyway, it’s more fun for me. Others’ footage may vary.

 

[bhop73]

I've had my M2 for a few months now, and a meterless F before that (also an FM with broken meter). I'm still not 100% comfortable shooting meterless all the time, so I still use my M6 a lot, but I have noticed if i'm out on a "photowalk" I can shoot faster with the M2 by just handheld metering every once and a while and adjusting for shadows when necessary, whereas with the M6, i'll meter and adjust every time I bring it to my eye, which seems to take more time.

 

[B-9]

I enjoy having my Sekonic L408 around.

Most times I pack it it never comes out...

When I don’t pack it, I find a reason to need it...

By far the best and longest lived purchase I’ve made in photography.

 

[Greg Maslak]

Hello all, I’m new to the forum. This is my first comment post (albeit my third try and counting, I’m a bit digitally challenged).

I too have benefitted from liberating an older Leica from a meter perched atop. Like others I often use an incident meter to gage the exposure range, especially in high contrast light, but my most useful tool has been a notebook. Keeping a photographic diary allows me to assess my results against my expectations. I note the season, time of day, position of the sun, colour of the sky, clouds... that sort of thing and of course the film and exposures. It’s taught me a great deal. I highly recommend taking notes.

Greg

Now if only I can make my gallery post bigger,I be all set... cheers

 

[maddoc]

Welcome to the RFF community!



My newest favorite camera happens to be a Leica I C standardized, it lacks meter and rangefinder so recently for me it is meter-less and rangefinder-less. Quite liberating experience and the results are not so bad.

Hello all, I’m new to the forum. This is my first comment post (albeit my third try and counting, I’m a bit digitally challenged).

I too have benefitted from liberating an older Leica from a meter perched atop. Like others I often use an incident meter to gage the exposure range, especially in high contrast light, but my most useful tool has been a notebook. Keeping a photographic diary allows me to assess my results against my expectations. I note the season, time of day, position of the sun, colour of the sky, clouds... that sort of thing and of course the film and exposures. It’s taught me a great deal. I highly recommend taking notes.

Greg

Now if only I can make my gallery post bigger,I be all set... cheers

 

[leicapixie]

I can shoot meterless but why?
When i printed in darkroom,it was possible to expose (original) Tri-X,
at ASA (ISO) 25 ,50,100,200, 400,800,1200,1600..
Various contrasts but printable..
Scanning need a negative that "scanner" accepts. sigh!
One must be more accurate.
Living in northern latitudes is a real problem, for me!
Winter light varies to poor to none..
I meter.

 

[Arbitrarium]

If my camera has automation, I use it, if not I use Sunny 16. I get just as many duds with guessing the exposure as I do letting the camera work it out after about 2 years of shooting meterless. It doesn't take long to get a grasp of it. The only time I struggle is at sunrise and sunset.

At night I shoot manual regardless of the camera. Stick it on 1/30th and wide open and don't worry about it (1/15th for a slow lens TLR).

 

[css9450]

I can shoot meterless but why?

Its a handy skill to have, even if only for a backup. Ever go out with an old camera with no meter, only to get to wherever you're going and discover you left your meter (handheld, phone, whatever) at home on the kitchen counter? I have. :bang:

 

[LCSmith]

I can shoot meterless but why?

Sometimes you do not have time to meter.

As to the original post, just do not be afraid to fail. You will be fine.