Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-09-01 Thread Rob Studdert
On 1 Sep 2004 at 13:23, Frantisek wrote:

> I recall seeing discussions on this issue. Apparently, some (most?)
> DSLR have different tone curves that slightly underxpose. Or a
> different explanation (which deteriorates into "holy war" on some
> sites, about the "18% gray" standard and how it is measured. IIRC,
> lightmeters are not calibrated to "18% reflectivity" but to a standard
> light source. This might make the difference. For my DSLR, I uploaded
> a different tone curve which brightens the midtones slightly, making
> the histogram peak at centre. It works for some subjects, for some it
> is too contrasty.

If I expose to preserve highlight detail I usually pull contrast down to 
minimum and modify the gamma to restore the brightness balance, sometimes I 
need to resort to curves but it usually always provides decent outcome. 
Shooting digital is quite different to shooting film and the 18% (or whatever 
it is) gray metering point is largely irrelevant, not clipping the sensor and 
minimizing noise is important.




Rob Studdert
HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA
Tel +61-2-9554-4110
UTC(GMT)  +10 Hours
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications/
Pentax user since 1986, PDMLer since 1998



RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-31 Thread Jens Bladt
That's a tricky shot!
Don't forget to point the spotmeter at something, that you want i the
"middle of the grey-wedge" (18%).

I don't understand why the histogram from shooting a white or black wall
does not show a peak in the middle? AN average metering should result in a
photograph that in average is in the "middle of the grey-wedge". Any ideas?

Jens Bladt
mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://hjem.get2net.dk/bladt


-Oprindelig meddelelse-
Fra: Kostas Kavoussanakis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sendt: 31. august 2004 18:13
Til: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Emne: RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmete


On Tue, 31 Aug 2004, Jens Bladt wrote:

> It's not that the hand held meter is better. It isn't. It's just that
> incident metering is indifferent to the properties of the subject -
because
> only the light that's hitting the subject, is measured. Not the reflected
> light.

Thanks for the tutorial; I knew about the grey 18% but not what the
incident meter does.

I was shooting a farm on a hill about 70m away yesterday at sunset
(sun in the frame). An incident meter would not work as my feet could
not make it over the fence and my hand is only about a meter long, so
I spot-metered on the farm (and interpreted sunny-16 as I thought best
for the occasion, just to check that I agreed). Looking forward to the
results (though I was shooting forgiving colour negative).

Kostas





RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-30 Thread Shel Belinkoff
Hi Markus,

A bit late, but thought I'd jump in anyway.

Until recently I used an analog Pentax Spotmeter V as well as a Zone VI
modified Pentax Digital Spotmeter.  I sold the Spotmeter V, and am going to
replace it with an incident meter.  The some of the incident meters I'm
considering are analog I'm looking at are analog. 

I'm a strong advocate of hand held metering, much preferring the technique
to using the built in meters of many (not all) cameras.  I use the meters
for 35mm and med format work.

Shel 

> [Original Message]
> From: Markus Maurer <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Date: 8/28/2004 3:17:11 PM
> Subject: RE: Anybody still using an external (analog)  lightmeter
>
> Thanks to anybody answering my question, namely:
> Dag, David, Sid, Jim, Frantisek,Alan, Paul, Bob,Mat, Bruce, Handmaid,
Otis,
> Brooks, William, David, CRB, John,
> Keith and all the lurkers out there too.
>
> As far I see, some use digital light metering mostly with medium format
> cameras but nobody uses an old separate analog light meter like the
"Gossen
> Sixtar2 SBC" and nobody knows the brand I got.
>
> Digital seems to take over everywhere :-)
>
> thanks for answering
> Markus
>
>
>
> > Subject: Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter
> >
> >
> >
> > På 26. aug. 2004 kl. 23.29 skrev Markus Maurer:
> > > Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?
>




RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-29 Thread Simon King
Hi Markus
Another late one here, but I still use the Minolta Flashmeter IV I bought a few months 
ago. 
It's indispensable with strobes and my "new" (1962) 6x6 TLR, and wonderful at quickly 
determining flash/ambient readings for both 35mm & MF outside.
Cheers,
Simon 

-Original Message-
From: John Coyle [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Monday, 30 August 2004 8:31 AM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

I'm a little late on this one, Markus.  I use a Gossen Lunasix 3 with my
Rolleicord and for critical occasions when I have tricky lighting
situations -  not digital!

John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
- Original Message - 
From: "Markus Maurer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 8:15 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter


> Thanks to anybody answering my question, namely:
> Dag, David, Sid, Jim, Frantisek,Alan, Paul, Bob,Mat, Bruce, Handmaid,
Otis,
> Brooks, William, David, CRB, John,
> Keith and all the lurkers out there too.
>
> As far I see, some use digital light metering mostly with medium format
> cameras but nobody uses an old separate analog light meter like the
"Gossen
> Sixtar2 SBC" and nobody knows the brand I got.
>
> Digital seems to take over everywhere :-)
>
> thanks for answering
> Markus
>
>
>
> > Subject: Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter
> >
> >
> >
> > På 26. aug. 2004 kl. 23.29 skrev Markus Maurer:
> > > Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?
>
>




Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-29 Thread Rob Studdert
On 27 Aug 2004 at 9:02, Bruce Dayton wrote:

> Me too.  I really like the meter.  Mostly use it for studio flash
> work, but some ambient readings outdoors, too.
- 
> Best regards,
> Bruce
 
> Friday, August 27, 2004, 6:35:54 AM, you wrote:
> 
> DM> I was about to say yes until I paid attention to the word 'analog'.  So, DM>
> NO.  I use a Gossen Luna Pro Digital F.  I like this meter because it DM> will
> tell me the flash and incident light readings simultaneously, DM> making it
> really easy to balance fill flash.  Dave

Have to add another "me too" here, great little meter, now my sole external 
meter (apart from an old MR4 for my Leica), I sold my trusty Spotmeter F a 
couple of months back.


Rob Studdert
HURSTVILLE AUSTRALIA
Tel +61-2-9554-4110
UTC(GMT)  +10 Hours
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://members.ozemail.com.au/~distudio/publications/
Pentax user since 1986, PDMLer since 1998



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-29 Thread John Coyle
I'm a little late on this one, Markus.  I use a Gossen Lunasix 3 with my
Rolleicord and for critical occasions when I have tricky lighting
situations -  not digital!

John Coyle
Brisbane, Australia
- Original Message - 
From: "Markus Maurer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Sunday, August 29, 2004 8:15 AM
Subject: RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter


> Thanks to anybody answering my question, namely:
> Dag, David, Sid, Jim, Frantisek,Alan, Paul, Bob,Mat, Bruce, Handmaid,
Otis,
> Brooks, William, David, CRB, John,
> Keith and all the lurkers out there too.
>
> As far I see, some use digital light metering mostly with medium format
> cameras but nobody uses an old separate analog light meter like the
"Gossen
> Sixtar2 SBC" and nobody knows the brand I got.
>
> Digital seems to take over everywhere :-)
>
> thanks for answering
> Markus
>
>
>
> > Subject: Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter
> >
> >
> >
> > På 26. aug. 2004 kl. 23.29 skrev Markus Maurer:
> > > Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?
>
>



RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-29 Thread Markus Maurer
Hi Shel
thanks, I like late replies too... :-)
I enjoyed your thoughts about film processing and b/w film.
greetings
Markus


> 
> Hi Markus,
> 
> A bit late, but thought I'd jump in anyway.
> 
> Until recently I used an analog Pentax Spotmeter V as well as a Zone VI
>
> 



RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-28 Thread Markus Maurer
Thanks to anybody answering my question, namely:
Dag, David, Sid, Jim, Frantisek,Alan, Paul, Bob,Mat, Bruce, Handmaid, Otis,
Brooks, William, David, CRB, John,
Keith and all the lurkers out there too.

As far I see, some use digital light metering mostly with medium format
cameras but nobody uses an old separate analog light meter like the "Gossen
Sixtar2 SBC" and nobody knows the brand I got.

Digital seems to take over everywhere :-)

thanks for answering
Markus



> Subject: Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter
>
>
>
> På 26. aug. 2004 kl. 23.29 skrev Markus Maurer:
> > Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?




RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-28 Thread handmaid
A Gossen Lunasix 3s for incident readings (it's spot on, no pun intended) and a 
(digital) Gossen SpotMaster for spot readings and flash (when I'm not letting the LX 
take care of the flash) 

AB

-- 

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Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-28 Thread Keith Whaley

graywolf wrote:
Wow, guys, they are the same meter. The L-28C is just an older model of 
the L-398. The Norwood Director mentioned by someone else is an older 
version still. Sekonic bought out Norwood long ago. I have actually 
owned all 3.

---
Goes to show...quality will out!
A couple of years ago I called Sekonic to ask if the selenium sensor chip 
might have some linearity problems, after all these years, and he said if 
the meter's needle will still zero and work smoothly thru it's travel, the 
chip and the movement are just fine.
You retire a battery-less meter when it will no longer zero the needle.

Just like me, still 'working' after all these years!  And that's all I'll 
say about that! 

keith
Frantisek wrote:
Still metering with my L398, it's a trusty tool. When? Whenever 
situation calls for incident metering :)

KW> Hah! How about my trusty L-28c2?  NO batteries!  



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-28 Thread Frantisek

Saturday, August 28, 2004, 6:22:00 AM, graywolf wrote:
g> Wow, guys, they are the same meter. The L-28C is just an older model of the
g> L-398. The Norwood Director mentioned by someone else is an older version still.
g> Sekonic bought out Norwood long ago. I have actually owned all 3.

I have seen the Norwood Director! It somehow managed to get its way
onto the used market here... for around few euro, my friend now has
it. It seems even faster responding then all the L398 we had.

These are nice meters.

Good light!
   fra



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread DagT
På 26. aug. 2004 kl. 23.29 skrev Markus Maurer:
Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?
I use my Polaris meter with my medium format camera.
DagT



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread David Mann
On Aug 28, 2004, at 8:55 AM, Bob W wrote:
Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?
Yes. I have a Sekonic L-608 (electronic, flash, spot, etc) and a
Sekonic L-208 Twinmate (analogue, incident and reflected light).
Analog?  I don't have one.  Got a couple of digital meters, though.
I use a Pentax digital spot meter for all of my medium format work, and 
any other time when the lighting is too difficult for a centre-weighted 
meter.

When I bought the Pentax I kept my Sekonic L-328 with the spot meter 
attachment.  I use it extremely rarely now but I won't part with it as 
it does flash metering (both incident and, with the attachment, spot).  
Also its battery test is pretty accurate for checking AA batteries.

Cheers,
- Dave
http://www.digistar.com/~dmann/


Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Sid Barras
I still use a Gossen Luna Pro F when I'm shooting one of my vintage cameras.
almost always when incident light reading is concerned. And on the rare
occasions I'm asked to shoot an important "studio" type flash shot
(especially when using the pentax 6x7) I definitely use the flash meter
function of it. That leaf shutter lens is awesome. But I've probably only
used it in that fashion 4 or 5 times.

Though I'm no professional, and I don't have experience with other pro level
meters, I consider the Luna Pro F one of the finest meters around. I also
have many of the considerable list of accessories, like the 7.5/15 degree
"spot" attachment, the enlarging/darkroom attachment, and the "never been
used" flexible light reading attachment thingy.

I also have a zone VI modified pentax spot meter, though it has a digital
readout. I use it for sure when I'm shooting black and white with the 6x7.

Then there's also a GE vintage light meter (probably circa 1940s) that gives
light readout that in scale that I use for measuring light output in my
Metal Halide/ High Pressure Sodium illuminated Orchid and Bromeliad
Greenhouse. It still works fine. Got it on ebay for a dollar.

Sid B



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread graywolf
Wow, guys, they are the same meter. The L-28C is just an older model of the 
L-398. The Norwood Director mentioned by someone else is an older version still. 
Sekonic bought out Norwood long ago. I have actually owned all 3.

--
Frantisek wrote:
Still metering with my L398, it's a trusty tool. When? Whenever situation
calls for incident metering :)

KW> Hah! How about my trusty L-28c2?  NO batteries!  
KW> I use it when my subject is in drastically different light than my camera's
KW> in. If I can.
KW> Such as when I'm standing in full sunlight, and my subject is under a tree
KW> being shaded.
KW> Get out my Sekonic and put the hood on the lens...
The L-398 works without batteries too :)
I do like it a lot. I do not use it much with the digital, though.
For film though, incident metering is a charm, mostly. Especially if
you learn it, and do not use the idiotkugeln, but just the plain
luxmeter flat panel. Last time with film, I also used a Spotmeter for
some theater stuff, which worked very fine. If only it was actually
smaller than my film camera! (the Pentax Spotmeter V, about the best
analog spotmeter there is, is indeed very very large). Incident
(especially lux) metering will teach anybody a lot about light and
contrast. Even with digital.
Good light!
   fra




Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Frantisek
>> Still metering with my L398, it's a trusty tool. When? Whenever situation
>> calls for incident metering :)

KW> Hah! How about my trusty L-28c2?  NO batteries!  
KW> I use it when my subject is in drastically different light than my camera's
KW> in. If I can.
KW> Such as when I'm standing in full sunlight, and my subject is under a tree
KW> being shaded.
KW> Get out my Sekonic and put the hood on the lens...

The L-398 works without batteries too :)

I do like it a lot. I do not use it much with the digital, though.
For film though, incident metering is a charm, mostly. Especially if
you learn it, and do not use the idiotkugeln, but just the plain
luxmeter flat panel. Last time with film, I also used a Spotmeter for
some theater stuff, which worked very fine. If only it was actually
smaller than my film camera! (the Pentax Spotmeter V, about the best
analog spotmeter there is, is indeed very very large). Incident
(especially lux) metering will teach anybody a lot about light and
contrast. Even with digital.

Good light!
   fra



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Paul Stenquist

Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?
I still use a Pentax Spotmeter V from time to time. It's invaluable 
when you want to nail a specific part of a scene --  such as the sky at 
sunset.  It's also great for determining the exposure range of a scene, 
and the sweeping needle is somehow more telling than a digital readout. 
It's a wonderful tool. In addition I have the original Pentax analog 
meter mounted on my H3v. If you know how to analyze what you see 
theret, it's quite accurate and useful.
Paul



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Bob W
Hi,

> Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?

Yes. I have a Sekonic L-608 (electronic, flash, spot, etc) and a
Sekonic L-208 Twinmate (analogue, incident and reflected light).

I use the L-208 all the time for incident readings when I shoot
with my Leicas, which don't have built-in meters, and recently I
haven't shot with anything but my Leicas.

The L-608 is very good, but it is almost bigger than the cameras
and doesn't really go with the Leica way of doing things, in my
opinion.

I also have a Sekonic L-398M, but I no longer use it.

-- 
Cheers,
 Bob



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Mat Maessen
Gossen LunaPro F. I've got the 15/7.5 degree attachment for
pseudo-spot readings, but I use it mostly as an incident meter.
Vital equipment when I'm out with the 4x5...

-Mat



Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Bruce Dayton
Me too.  I really like the meter.  Mostly use it for studio flash
work, but some ambient readings outdoors, too.

-- 
Best regards,
Bruce


Friday, August 27, 2004, 6:35:54 AM, you wrote:

DM> I was about to say yes until I paid attention to the word 'analog'.  So,
DM> NO.  I use a Gossen Luna Pro Digital F.  I like this meter because it
DM> will tell me the flash and incident light readings simultaneously,
DM> making it really easy to balance fill flash.  Dave






RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread handmaid
A Gossen Lunasix 3s for incident readings (it's spot on, no pun intended) and a 
(digital) Gossen SpotMaster for spot readings and flash (when I'm not letting the LX 
take care of the flash)

AB

-- 

Whatever you Wanadoo:
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Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread Otis Wright
Three Norwood Directors around here somewhere plus one or two stripped 
down for parts.   One went successfully through calibration a  couple 
of  years ago.  Works just fine.   Keep them mostly for the memories --- 
first one came into "the family"  in 1949 --- for use with the vacation 
film camera (Spotmatic Fs and ESIIs) kit.   Day-to-day a Sekonic L-508 
carries the load for the very few requirements that arise with digital 
cameras these days.  Hard to beat the info in the histograms. 

Otis Wright
Keith Whaley wrote:

Frantisek wrote:
Thursday, August 26, 2004, 11:29:27 PM, Markus wrote:
MM> This is my second post...
MM> I got a Gossen Sixtar 2 meter for $5 and wonder, how good the 
metering
MM> actually will be compared to the camera metering.
MM> I need to replace the batteries before I can test it, but welcome 
any
MM> comments from the group :-)
MM> Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?

Dunno about your Sixtar, I don't know that model.
Still metering with my L398, it's a trusty tool. When? Whenever 
situation
calls for incident metering :)

Hah! How about my trusty L-28c2?  NO batteries!  
I use it when my subject is in drastically different light than my 
camera's in. If I can.
Such as when I'm standing in full sunlight, and my subject is under a 
tree being shaded.
Get out my Sekonic and put the hood on the lens...

Good light!
   fra

keith whaley




RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread brooksdj

>Dave M said: I was about to say yes until I paid attention to the word 'analog'.  So,

Oh boy. Missed that completely.D'oh.

However the iv F has an anolog scale which i do look at.lol

Dave Brooks






Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread William Robb
I use a Gossen Luna Pro from time to time, I use a Minolta flash
meter in the studio (except when shooting digital, and a Zone VI
modified Pentax digital spot meter (not analogue, I realize) when
shooting large format.

William Robb




RE: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread David Madsen
I was about to say yes until I paid attention to the word 'analog'.  So,
NO.  I use a Gossen Luna Pro Digital F.  I like this meter because it
will tell me the flash and incident light readings simultaneously,
making it really easy to balance fill flash.  Dave




Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread CRB


Absolutely.  Pentax Spotmeter V.
Even with 135 on occasion.  

Averaging meters don't always cut it.
Being 1/2 stop off on 135 can be tolerated but
being 1/2 stop off on 4x5 or 8x10 makes a diff in the neg.

Even makes a diff with 120.  Why?  Because 135 loses enough shadow detail and 
highlight detail that it's less critical.  But with any larger format you can get as 
much as you can meter and adjust for.  Any flm format bigger than 135 is a good thing.

Sincerely,

C. Brendemuehl

-
'Any flm format bigger than 135 is a good thing.'
-- John Calvin (1509-64)
(hey, works for me)

___
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Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread brooksdj
I have, and use quite often,at least with the 6x6 and 6x7's, a Minolta iv F and also 
have
the Minolta 
Spot Meter,but not used as much. Mostly for winter B&W but have not tried it out on 
slide
film yet. The 
iv F is deadly on bright snow exposures.

Dave   

> This one time, at band camp, Frantisek 
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> > Still metering with my L398, it's a trusty tool. When? Whenever situation
> > calls for incident metering :)
> 
> I just lurve my Pentax 1 Degree Spot Meter
> 
> Kevin
> 
> -
>  __  
> (_ \ 
>  _) )            
> |  /  / _  ) / _  | / ___) / _  )
> | |  ( (/ / ( ( | |( (___ ( (/ / 
> |_|   \) \_||_| \) \)
> Kevin Waterson
> Port Macquarie, Australia
> 






Re: Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-27 Thread John Whittingham
Still use a Weston Master V for incident metering and a Pentax 1 degree 
spotmeter with the 645 and when I can't get to the subject with the Weston.

John




Anybody still using an external (analog) lightmeter

2004-08-26 Thread Markus Maurer
This is my second post...

I got a Gossen Sixtar 2 meter for $5 and wonder, how good the metering
actually will be compared to the camera metering.
I need to replace the batteries before I can test it, but welcome any
comments from the group :-)
Is anybody here still using hand metering and if yes, when?

thanks
Markus



> grain.  I think I'll leave the handheld meter at home,
> and go completely manual with the Mat - like walking
> on a tightrope with no net... 
>
> frank
> >