which light meter?

[cathy_w_J]

Hi Everyone,
I just got some photos back and they mostly stink. :bang: I used my Yahsica GSN which has a mind of it's own for exposure. These were low light with moving subjects and also some stills of a vase of peonies. Also I think the light meter is dying in my Pentax K100. 🙁 If I had a light meter, I think things would have worked out better because I would have been more educated about what the camera was doing or what I should have been doing.
My question is what do I need to look for in a meter? I would love one that doesn't need batteries, is easy to use and is small enough to be put in a pocket or a bag. If I buy a used meter, do the cells in the meters die after a certain period of time? What have you found to be most useful? Thanks for your input!

 

[Pherdinand]

Hi Cathy.

The meter in your yashica would be sufficiently precise. If it is not, probably it's not the meter but the shutter which behaves erratically. Also, does not help much to have a handheld meter with the yashica, since 1: the yashica is aperture priority only, completely relying on the camera's meter, thus you CAN'T set a shutter speed yourself; 2: the yashica does not show the shutter speed he uses, so you can't figure out at the moment of exposure if it is the same speed as the one shown by a handheld meter (unless it's waaay off). As to your K100, that's a different story since you have complete control over that camera.

Meter? If you want one that works in daylight, you can get away with an older selenium meter like the sekonic L-8 I have. It is very small, approx. 4x8x2 cm, and is accurate enough for light levels down to EV8 (= ISO100, f/4, 1/15 s or equiv.) but not below. No batteries, robust meter. If you want low light sensitivity, you can't really hope for a battery-less meter. The CdS and SBC meters are good in low light and they don't use much power so a new batteery keeps going for long years. They can be cheap (i had a capital D-1 for euro 15, EV0 was no problem, still fitted in a pocket) or more expensive (my capital being stolen i bought a Quantum Calculight XP for 99$ incl shipping, fits in a hand and it's good down to EV-7). These both use normal mercury-free batteries. Some meters from the seventies like Gossens and Sekonic's are very good and cheap if you are lucky, but use one of the mercury batteries so find one with a good battery.

 

[Nikon Bob]

You could look here http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7982 .

Bob

 

[JoeFriday]

FWIW, I started the thread that Bob referred to, and based on comments there, I'm planning to purchase either a Luna Pro SBC or a Digisix.. depending on whatever deal I run into

there are similar (cheaper) alternatives, but most won't do reflective and incident light

 

[cathy_w_J]

Thanks! This helps alot!
Time to go shopping! I am thinking I want a Yahsica Lynx, too.
Does this count as GAS since I really should have a meter anyway....

I'll post one of the still life shots....it's not complete dog doo.

 

[cathy_w_J]

Here is the still life.....

 

[peter_n]

Does this count as GAS since I really should have a meter anyway....

Normally it would not count as GAS Cathy, but since you have tried to justify the purchase on the basis of need then it does count as GAS. 😀

Nice still-life, BTW. 🙂

 

[cathy_w_J]

ARGH! GAS! My husband is going to be upset by this. Traditionally he is the one who suffers with GAS (buying pre-amps and mics, and of course, the more socially difficult kind of gas.)

Thanks.

 

[eric]

I have more light meters than I care to admit. But I mostly use my trusty old Sekonic 398 studio one. I'm just used to incident metering. I just got a Gossen Pilot and sadly, I can't fix it so I sent it to Bogen for repair. I know I got a lot of good tips on how to fix it on this forum but...no time, no equipment. I'd love to trade my Pentax Digital Spot meter for a Minolta VF meter.

 

[RichardS]

Thanks! This helps alot!
Time to go shopping! I am thinking I want a Yahsica Lynx, too.
Does this count as GAS since I really should have a meter anyway....

I'll post one of the still life shots....it's not complete dog doo.

I don't think it is actually GAS since the Lynx, and also the Minister D, will allow you complete control over aperture and shutter settings, so delay on purchasing a meter until you get the camera and maybe you'll decide you don't need a meter.

Dick