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Need Light Meter Recommendation


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My approach when using a film camera, such as my 4x5 or one of my Canons, is to bring along a small digital camera with manual controls (in my case, a Sony NEX 6), rather than a separate light meter. I get to see not only the exposure reading, but a digital image, which I find helpful for confirming composition (kinda like the old Polaroid film pack days, but without wasting film), and a histogram. Since I only shoot black and white film now days, I usually use the black and white setting on the digital camera. A smart phone with a light meter app should also work. Edited by Glenn McCreery
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I also like having the exposure data on a printout. And that's often all you'll ever need.

 

But when I do use a light meter, I have a couple that I use interchangeably. The Gossen Luna Pro SBC and the Gossen Luna Pro F. The "F" model will record flash exposure, so it's useful for metering when a flash is used. The SBC is more like a typical Luna Pro, but it can accept a variety of accessories that you might find useful. I don't own any of the accessories that can be used on the SBC. One accessory I do own is the Gossen Variable Angle Attachment, which can be used on any Luna Pro model. It has 7.5 degree and 15 degree settings. The 7.5 degree setting is close enough to a spot meter reading for me, if I ever need to read a small area in the subject.

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I use a Minolta IVf. It's designed as an incident meter, but can be converted to a reflective meter with the correct attachment. These are not terribly expensive, and are a good durable meter. My only complaint is that the flash function can be a bit of a pain, but does work. It's small and light enough that I don't notice it hanging around my neck.

 

The one downside is that it doesn't really have an on-off switch and even "asleep" it will drain a battery in a week or two. It uses the same PX-28/4LR44 battery as the A-series cameras and New F-1. The advice I got early on was to put a small slip of paper under one of the battery terminals and remove it when I want to use the meter. I usually use a piece of the paper band at the start of a 120 roll, but mostly because I usually have one handy when I'm out.

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