light meter and exposure for T2i DSLR ?

[Randall_Oelerich]

Is there any way I could use my still photography Minolta light meter (actually it has some sort of cinemetography functions including fps in it that I have never used) for getting proper exposure for shooting DSLR video with my Canon Rebel T2i / 550D ? Sure would be nice to use it for quick exposure checks, f-stop differences between highlights and shadown, etc.

 

[David G. Smith]

Absolutely. Now there are folks that will poo-poo using light meters for shooting video, supposedly because the differences between the way video sensors and film process light. I say "Bunk". For me the important thing is having a reference, and for me, since I started by shooting motion picture film, the reference is foot-candle readings. Now with the T2i, I also use it's internal TTL metering, in still "M" mode, with the metering set to spot, to great effect, but nothing beats getting the lighting ratio right then using a handheld meter, for me. Now I suggest extensive testing with the meter and the camera to get to the point where you are comfortable with making decision based on what the meter is telling you. I am in that process now. I think that a light meter is a great tool that a lot of folks raised on video only are missing out on using.

 

[Peternap]

I agree. I started using a meter for stills because they didn't have meter heads in those days. Even after getting a meter head for my Nikon, I used it for pinpoint readings.

After starting video I found that while spot was good on my 7D, it couldn't replace sticking the meter under the actors chin and figuring the lighting based on that reading.

 

[David G. Smith]

I agree. I started using a meter for stills because they didn't have meter heads in those days. Even after getting a meter head for my Nikon, I used it for pinpoint readings.

After starting video I found that while spot was good on my 7D, it couldn't replace sticking the meter under the actors chin and figuring the lighting based on that reading.

You know it. When I went video, while it was handy to have a monitor, running back and forth to check it out was kind of a pain. Also, I am putting together a DIY/guerrilla light kit, and a light meter is handy to do my own photometrics on the lights, so I can kind of know what I have. That will help in pre-planning, that is for sure.

 

[j1clark@ucsd.edu]

Absolutely. Now there are folks that will poo-poo using light meters for shooting video, supposedly because the differences between the way video sensors and film process light. I say "Bunk".

The most significant problem I had with using my 'still' light meter, is it does not have a footcandle read out, and so, given how 'lights' are spec'd, if there's a spec at all, it was difficult to relate to the video camera's 'gain' options.

However, the DSLR is attempting to mimic 'film' uses ISO values 'just like film'... the 'still' meter seems to be much more useful.

In any case, there is always the use of finding relative lighting ratios, or checking highlight to deep shadow, to add light as required to maintain the range the DSLR (or video camera) can capture.

 

[David G. Smith]

That is what I run into with using the TTL meter on the HDSLR, what you get are realitive stop changes across a scale, which are ok for quick checks, but I like having the FC readout. Being brought up on film, doing video exposure was always, to me, kind of groping in the dark. Everything was realitve, it seemed like. At least with the HDDSLRs they are trying... here is your ISO, here is your shutter speed, here is your aperture... and we throw in a histogram!