Light Meter Tips & Tricks-

Ryan E. Walters

Ryan E. Walters

Well-known member
I posted this over on Reduser, but thought that those of you on this forum might also find it useful. Enjoy! :)

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So I wanted to offer the following tips and tricks to making your light meter even easier to use. All of the details are posted on my blog at the link below. Hopefully you will find these as useful as I have.

Tips & Tricks:
1. Reprograming buttons on the Sekonic L-758c
2. Easy Contrast Ratios
3. Determining the contrast range (no math needed.)
4. Finding the Mid tone
5. ETTR with your meter

DETAILS HERE:
http://www.ryanewalters.com/page2/files/f6d829f6bc4e8fc5b9ed441feb1cc625-42.html
 
Ryan interested to hear your thoughts on this. I purely use a waveform monitor. This tells me a few things, across my image I can clearly and quickly see the values of my lighting and how it pertains to the camera I am shooting on (of course talking digital acquisition here). This can be without any prior knowledge of the camera I am using. Of course, I do testing. Again with waveform. From the test Ill draw up my light plan.

My point is in digital cinematography I find a waveform very accurate as it pertains to whatever camera its plugged in to. Theres no prior knowledge of the cameras dynamic range needed. The hope is you have more to work with of course - but the waveform will tell you everything you need to know. Thus in digital cinematography, for me, the waveform acts as the light meter in giving me that information.

And here's where I would ask your opinion on this. Is a light meter a need in the digital world when a waveform is being used?
 
Noel Evans said:
And here's where I would ask your opinion on this. Is a light meter a need in the digital world when a waveform is being used?
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You can't really pre-light a scene with a waveform monitor unless you have the camera there too. Plus you might eventually shoot on film, then a meter is a must.
 
KKeller said:
You can't really pre-light a scene with a waveform monitor unless you have the camera there too. Plus you might eventually shoot on film, then a meter is a must.
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Ok so lets take assumption out. When I shoot tests its with the camera being used. When I shoot the tests I know I am NOT going to shoot on film.
 
Noel Evans said:
Ok so lets take assumption out. When I shoot tests its with the camera being used. When I shoot the tests I know I am NOT going to shoot on film.
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Test shoots and pre-lighting are two very different things. I meant what if you shoot on film at a later date, then knowing how to use a meter is very necessary. A meter may not be needed but it is a nice tool to have at your disposal.
 
I use combination of both and would reccomend getting to know each one. I usually carry a light meter and my DIT uses his waveform.



Thanks for the article Ryan :thumbsup:
 
Noel Evans said:
Ryan interested to hear your thoughts on this. I purely use a waveform monitor. This tells me a few things, across my image I can clearly and quickly see the values of my lighting and how it pertains to the camera I am shooting on (of course talking digital acquisition here). This can be without any prior knowledge of the camera I am using. Of course, I do testing. Again with waveform. From the test Ill draw up my light plan.
Click to expand...

Yep, a waveform is a great and accurate tool to use to light. There are a couple of things that I do not like about waveforms physically speaking, so my preference is a light meter. The things that I do not like about waveforms are: extra gear to carry around, extra power considerations, and it makes me less mobile- I have to constantly go and check the waveform - I like to be near the camera, and still have access to talking with the director. (This is assuming that you are using a real waveform monitor.)

Noel Evans said:
My point is in digital cinematography I find a waveform very accurate as it pertains to whatever camera its plugged in to. Theres no prior knowledge of the cameras dynamic range needed. The hope is you have more to work with of course - but the waveform will tell you everything you need to know. Thus in digital cinematography, for me, the waveform acts as the light meter in giving me that information.

And here's where I would ask your opinion on this. Is a light meter a need in the digital world when a waveform is being used?
Click to expand...

A waveform is fine & accurate- if that is all you have. You will get great results from it. However, just for the physical aspects (my above comments), I'd still want a meter. Some other things to consider are-

1. What if you are scouting a location- are your going to bring your camera and waveform to figure out the light levels? A meter is light and easy to bring where ever you go.

2. On set I find it is fast to take a reading and see if something falls within range and then I know what I need to do. If a light reads two stops out of range, I can put a double scrim on it. (If it is past the reading of the waveform I'm guessing how much I need to bring it down.)

3. Communication to my crew is easier and quicker. I can tell the gaffer I need X foot candles, or I need to bring it up / down a stop, and they adjustment can be made. Telling them I need to go from 80 IRE to 70 IRE is not of much use. (Even if I know what it means.)

4. I find it is not easy to determine contrast ratios with a waveform. Overall scene illumination is easy to do. But what if I want to dial in a 4:1 ratio? I can know I have that quickly and easily by taking two measurements (Key & fill) with my meter.

5. Time constraints- Often I find the time is of the essence, and if I have to setup, and monitor an additional piece of gear that is separate from me, I find that I loose valuable time. I'd much rather use my meter which I have on me.

6. Quick conversions- you can program in different filter factors and then the meter will adjust the reading on the fly for you. So you do not have to remember what the filter factor is that you have on the camera.

Some side points / issues:
- Regardless of having a meter or a waveform on the day of the shoot, I would want to test and know the dynamic range of a system I was going to use prior to a project. Then when scouting I can measure (with a meter) the natural dynamic range of the location and know what instruments I would need for that location.

- Working with a meter has opened up my eyes to seeing things differently. I'm constantly evaluating light levels, and noticing when the levels change - even by a half of a stop or less, I'm noticing contrast levels, etc. And then I'm equating that to what lens speed I would need to capture the image. I can't say that this is a direct result of using a meter, but I think it is related.

- I think working with a meter is a good habit to get into, as I feel that I've become more disciplined in my approach then when I only use a waveform.

Again, I do not want to down play the waveform, as it is a very accurate tool. If it allows you to get good results and you prefer it, then by all means use it. But for me, I will always have a meter with me, as it just cannot be replaced by a waveform.
 
Thanks for the article Ryan, great info!

Can you make any suggestions for a lower priced meter? What would you look for in a meter if you had a tight budget?
 
Jockomo said:
Thanks for the article Ryan, great info!

Can you make any suggestions for a lower priced meter? What would you look for in a meter if you had a tight budget?
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My suggestion would be to buy off of E-bay. I got my Sekonic L-758c (New) for $500 Australian dollars. So at the time with the exchange rate I saved almost and additional 20%- of in US dollars it cost me just over $400. The only catch was that if I want it to work with strobes / photographers flash (Which I never use) I have to have the european transmitter.

If you want to go ultra low budget, check out your local photography store. The first meter I got was an analogue meter for about $40. Then the next meter was a used digital minolta for $100. Both of these were just incident meters, but they worked and got me started. If you can, save up for the 758c- I can't imagine needing / getting another light meter.
 
Ryan! Thanks for the post! Great stuff. Never really thought to explore my light meter in all those ways, but now I will. I mainly use if for ratios and to plot my scene within the zone system. I'm a nutzoid about zone system and reflective readings!

Good to see you back on the boards. Seems you've been away at RedUser much of the recent months.

Post back here anyday! :thumbsup:
 
Ryan Patrick O'Hara said:
Ryan! Thanks for the post! Great stuff. Never really thought to explore my light meter in all those ways, but now I will. I mainly use if for ratios and to plot my scene within the zone system. I'm a nutzoid about zone system and reflective readings!

Good to see you back on the boards. Seems you've been away at RedUser much of the recent months.

Post back here anyday! :thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Thanks- glad to be back posting. :)

Yep, I've been over at Reduser having chats with various other members trying to hone my craft as well as trying to hone my Red One skills- I always try to push every camera system as far as I can...

I hear you on the zone system, and reflective readings- it can become quite addicting!
 
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