back alley
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yes, my second pilot meter has arrived.
actually, i guess it's my first as the other one is a pilot 2.
it reads the same as the pilot 2 so i'm happy that it works but the seller failed to mention that the case does not lock in the closed position.
it's not that big of a deal as i plan to use this one sans case and around my neck. i want to see if it makes a difference in my shooting style if i don't have to reach into a pocket to check the light.
but it would have been nice had he mentioned it.
oh well, the price was very nice.
joe
actually, i guess it's my first as the other one is a pilot 2.
it reads the same as the pilot 2 so i'm happy that it works but the seller failed to mention that the case does not lock in the closed position.
it's not that big of a deal as i plan to use this one sans case and around my neck. i want to see if it makes a difference in my shooting style if i don't have to reach into a pocket to check the light.
but it would have been nice had he mentioned it.
oh well, the price was very nice.
joe
R
RML
Guest
Joe, I bet it'll make a difference but I always get annoyed with my Gossen hanging from my neck as it dangles this way and that, bangs against everything when you bend over even slightly, and is just a nuisance to find when your wearing a big winter coat. 
That's why I nowadays tie the lanyard to a zipper of one of the outside zipped pockets of my coat or jacket, stick the meter in that pocket and let the lanyard dangle out. That way I can just pull the lanyard and thus pull out the meter. Mind you, I still find using a handheld meter rather annoying but at least I've eliminated the dangling/banging part.
That's why I nowadays tie the lanyard to a zipper of one of the outside zipped pockets of my coat or jacket, stick the meter in that pocket and let the lanyard dangle out. That way I can just pull the lanyard and thus pull out the meter. Mind you, I still find using a handheld meter rather annoying but at least I've eliminated the dangling/banging part.
back alley
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remy, that's kinda what i'm doing now. i loop the lanyard around a belt loop and keep the meter in my jean pocket. i then pull on the lanyard to easily get the meter out of my pocket.
i just thought that having it out, i might check it more often.
the way i do it now works ok but change can be good too.
but that bending thing might get in the way some. gotta try it i guess.
joe
i just thought that having it out, i might check it more often.
the way i do it now works ok but change can be good too.
but that bending thing might get in the way some. gotta try it i guess.
joe
kuvvy
Well-known
I use the Gossen Digisix meter and loop the short lanyard around the shoulder strap of my bag(if i'm carrying one). This is fine when shooting in the street. The meter is very accurate and lightweight.
Paul
Paul
back alley
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that's a good idea too.
i always have a bag but most of the time it rides behind me against my back.
hhmmm, things to consider.
joe
i always have a bag but most of the time it rides behind me against my back.
hhmmm, things to consider.
joe
I do the same, Joe. The only real annoyance is that in going into or coming out of the pocket, the calculator dial will usually get moved.backalley photo said:
If I'm wearing a shirt or jacket with a breast pocket, then I like to carry the meter there, with the lanyard around my neck.
Like Remy, I really dislike having it swinging around loose, therefore the pocket. And hooking the lanyard to the coat side-pocket zipper is a useful idea too!
R
Rob
Guest
Has anyone got the part that attaches the Pilot 2 to
the flash shoe? That looks like a good idea to me.....
the flash shoe? That looks like a good idea to me.....
Bruce A
Member
Years ago I used a little gossen meter, hung it on one of those metal things that you use to hang keys from your belt. Worked vey well. It was secure, didn't dangle and flop in the way, and could easily be used .
As to clipping a meter on top of the camera... About the only positive side of that I think is that it's a handy place to keep the meter, but has disadvantages too. Pentax used to make a meter that clipped on top of the pentaprism of the H3v model. I had one of those, and later when they made a meterless Spotmatic they revived the idea. These coupled to the shutter speed dial, and Leica has offered a clip-on for M bodies that does too.
If the meter couples to the camera, that's an added convenience, but it's still significanly less sleek and convenient than having the meter built into the camera body. If it's not coupled, as with the Voigtlander and Gossen meters, then the camera is simply a place to park the meter.
When you want to make a meter reading, you then must handle the whole camera and point it about.
If the meter is automatically setting the camera, as with a built-in, then this might make some sense, but I think otherwise it's smoother and easier to just waft the separate meter around to check the light, make note of readings for brighter and dimmer areas, and put it away until the light is different.
I have to admit to liking hand-held meters. They’re discreet. They often allow incident readings of the ambient light falling on the area. You can easily check what the light is like in different directions and use these readings to change camera settings as you move about without further reference to the meter. In this, I think the handheld meter helps the photographer learn about light and exposure.
Yeah, you can do this with a camera-mounted meter too, except for incident mode, which I prefer. But it’s more awkward. And speaking of awkward, I’m amazed by those using a metered camera just as a meter while shooting with a different camera. Desperation measure! Makes some kind of sense as a stopgap while shopping for a separate meter maybe, but I suspect folks just continue that way. Separate meters aren’t all that expensive...
BTW, I also like Auto and Program modes for dynamic situations with quickly changing subject lighting and with film having high exposure latitude. OTOH, being mentally prepped with hand-held meter readings of the different lighting anticipated, then making manual eposure changes on the camera, would likely give better results... but this takes more planning and discipline!
If the meter couples to the camera, that's an added convenience, but it's still significanly less sleek and convenient than having the meter built into the camera body. If it's not coupled, as with the Voigtlander and Gossen meters, then the camera is simply a place to park the meter.
When you want to make a meter reading, you then must handle the whole camera and point it about.
If the meter is automatically setting the camera, as with a built-in, then this might make some sense, but I think otherwise it's smoother and easier to just waft the separate meter around to check the light, make note of readings for brighter and dimmer areas, and put it away until the light is different.
I have to admit to liking hand-held meters. They’re discreet. They often allow incident readings of the ambient light falling on the area. You can easily check what the light is like in different directions and use these readings to change camera settings as you move about without further reference to the meter. In this, I think the handheld meter helps the photographer learn about light and exposure.
Yeah, you can do this with a camera-mounted meter too, except for incident mode, which I prefer. But it’s more awkward. And speaking of awkward, I’m amazed by those using a metered camera just as a meter while shooting with a different camera. Desperation measure! Makes some kind of sense as a stopgap while shopping for a separate meter maybe, but I suspect folks just continue that way. Separate meters aren’t all that expensive...
BTW, I also like Auto and Program modes for dynamic situations with quickly changing subject lighting and with film having high exposure latitude. OTOH, being mentally prepped with hand-held meter readings of the different lighting anticipated, then making manual eposure changes on the camera, would likely give better results... but this takes more planning and discipline!
back alley
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Bruce A said:
building on your idea, i picked up a key ring that will attach to my belt loop (carabiner) and has a retractable cord for the (keys) meter.
looking forward to trying it out.
joe
Joe, that's a good idea -- may I copy that? One of my Gossens "needs" a lanyard...
One of my Gossens "needs" a lanyard...
back alley
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be my guest!
joe
joe
back alley
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my last pilot arrived today. it's the pilot 2, with soft case and the shoe for use on the camera.
i'm gonna try that to see how it might work.
it fits nicely onto the camera and doesn't seem too much in the way.
has anyone else tried this set up?
what do you think about it?
this one has a darker grey case and actually seems a bit smaller if that's possible.
joe
i'm gonna try that to see how it might work.
it fits nicely onto the camera and doesn't seem too much in the way.
has anyone else tried this set up?
what do you think about it?
this one has a darker grey case and actually seems a bit smaller if that's possible.
joe