Buying a light meter

My favorite meter is the Pentax Digital Spot meter. But it sells for about $300 used these days.

 

But, maybe you should just start out by getting a light meter app for your phone. I don't know the best ones, but I'm sure it will get you started quickly with your Hasselblad!

I have a Pentax Digital spot meter and a Sekonic incident meter, however I mostly use my iPhone with the MyLightMeter app. It is extremely accurate,and you have the advantage over other reflective meters that you can see the exact image on the phone that is being metered. You have the ability to zoom into zones (in the Pro version) to act like a crude spot meter also. It won't replace my Sekonic for fast paced paying jobs, but for a casual stroll with my Rolleiflex loaded with C41 or Tri-X, the iPhone is more than accurate. Hey, the app is free, so try it before you drop $$ on a dedicated meter.

Okay, I'll probably get flack for this, but I've been using a Gossen Luna Pro F since 1983. I have the spot meter attachment and have used it in the darkroom with the enlarger attachment. However, just last week I downloaded a free light meter app for my Android Galaxy 7. It appears pretty accurate. It's an Incident, reflective and spot meter too. Pretty nifty. So save your money if you have a smart phone and download it.

 

Guess what my shutter speed was. I was using f/8.

 

Okay, I'll probably get flack for this, but I've been using a Gossen Luna Pro F since 1983. I have the spot meter attachment and have used it in the darkroom with the enlarger attachment. However, just last week I downloaded a free light meter app for my Android Galaxy 7. It appears pretty accurate. It's an Incident, reflective and spot meter too. Pretty nifty. So save your money if you have a smart phone and download it.

 

Guess what my shutter speed was. I was using f/8.

 

 

I use the same app on an iPhone.

 

I'm glad you posted first... :D

I suppose one could just buy a used older dSLR and use it as a light meter. My Nikon D200 is probably a better light meter than anything else I own.

Been using a Weston Master V as my 'back-up' for years. I had the cell replaced and a full CLA about a decade ago by a genial chap in The Netherlands. Spot on.

I have a Minolta Auto Meter IV F, with the 10 degree viewfinder attachment. And for me, it works well and takes a standard 1.5v AA battery, which should be available on any drug store shelf, as well at other stores..

I have long used a Vivitar No. 30 selenium meter which I picked up in a thrift shop for $3. It has its limitations, but is quite accurate and doesn't require batteries. I find it perfectly adequate for general photography.

 

I shoot mostly 35mm, so i pretty much do Reflected in the camera or Sunny 16.

When i do use handheld, i have a Sekonic L308.

It does Incident...Reflected...AND Flash.

It has been invaluable to me when i doubt the light for some reason. I only use it a few times a year, but when you DO want it, it is Very Reassuring to have.:)

 

I do not own Either a "Smart Phone" or a digital camera, but as mentioned by other members.....THOSE work great for metering.

good luck

 

https://www.amazon.com/Sekonic-Flashmate-Digital-Incident-Reflected/dp/B000BTCJNG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505373312&sr=8-1&keywords=sekonic+l+308

There are versions of the Gossen Luna Pro that use a 9v battery. I still consider it one of the best light meters I've ever used.

 

However, if you are shooting negative film, especially color negative film, the exposure latitude is so great that the sunny-16 rule works just fine. This is even more true of a chromogenic B&W film like Ilford XP2 where you can shoot widely different EI shots on the same roll without changing the processing.

Hello, I'm late to this thread, but...

 

I use the "Pocket Light Meter" app from Nuwaste Studios on my iPhone. I use it with my Hasselblad 500cm, and it always gets the exposures spot on. I've been using it for around three years now. It's free and plenty accurate enough.

 

Good luck and have fun with the Hasselblad!

One of my early pics with the Hasselblad, using the light meter app. I recall that starting using the Hassleblad was like learning photography all over again - exposure, composition, technique...