Light meter and foot-candles

S

sbryan

Well-known member
I was very close to purchasing a Sekonic L-398A Studio Meter on eBay at the advice of J.R. Hudson's blog post on maximizing image latitude. However, a review on Amazon said it didn't measure in foot-candles anymore... at least, not in the latest incarnation of the meter.

Is there an acceptable meter measuring in foot-candles out there for someone just starting out with three-point lighting that doesn't cost more than $150 used?

Thanks for your help!
 
Just a helpful hint...if you are shooting digitally you are better off looking at a waveform monitor or a histogram. A light meter isn't a very accurate tool for the digital world. If you're shooting film though, it should be at your side at all moments.

The 398A reads footcandles. That's really all it reads. So, I wouldn't have any hesitations buying it. I had it for a while before I upgraded and really liked it.
 
Depends on how you use it.

For setting contrast ratios, evening out green screens, and many other tasks it's very usefull. I can light faster with one than without, definitely.

Find one on Ebay, and give it a try.
 
I'm using the light meter to measure contrast ratios for digital.

For exposure, I'm aware that there's no correlation between digital and film. However, figuring the HVX I'm using has eight stops of latitude, I should get a decent picture of my shadows and highlights.

But yes, I'll be using it 99% of the time for contrast ratios.
 
Sounds good. Just don't forget about your HVX's spot meter. It's ultra handy and super accurate.
 
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