It is my preference to, but I am curious to know how other OSPrs feel? Why? Why not?

I wouldn't mind having one, but they are a little expensive and I've been investing in lenses instead of a meter. When I set up a shot I usually chimp to get the right exposure on my LCD. I know this method isn't always perfect, but it gets me pretty close.

I understand completely. I guess it was just how I learned and old habits die hard! Are you in manual mode when you chimp? I never have chimped before, so i am trying to get the hang of it

From the archives:

http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...showtopic=16608

http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...showtopic=33676

http://www.opensourcephoto.net/forum/index...showtopic=25977

Yes, I shoot manual now. I used to shoot in AV, but my shots were never consistent. I'm so much happier with my photos now that I've gone manual.

casey, I use the Sekonic 358 with the pocketwizard trigger inside... LOVE it, and its really quick and easy when I'm at a wedding or other shoot, especially ahead of time to test the lighting inside the church or at the ceremony site if there's difficult lighting conditions.

I shoot way to fast... to hand held meter it... I shoot manual and use the internal meter on the 5 D... I even spot meter it ... the issue with the 5D is that it has a tendancy to underexpose skin tones... so I'll shoot a stop or to more to get what I need am looking for.

I use hand held for all bridals...and engagements that the couple is wearing a lot of white. Mine is a sekonic which also doubles as a flashmeter.

I agree. It can be tough finding the right exposure while dealing with blow out from a white dress. With a meter this is avoided. Thanks for everyone's input. I was beginning to think that everyone just chimped!

I am thinking about going back to one, I still have my old one and it works great. But isn't it all about the histogram?

For me....I use it for more than just correct overall exposure. A histogram can be useful but it doesn't show you light fall off top to bottom.....lit side to shadow side ratio etc.

Depends ont he situation. We had a beach shoot yesterday, late afternoon sun, super bright, backlit, mostly. The camera, as good as it usually is, tends to jump a bit if you let it, so we did a handheld metering first, threw it in Manual mode, chimped once, and ripped it up.


Looking at the pics last night after the shoot, looks like it did the trick!

Now, for any non-tricky lighting situations, I just trust the camera, chimp a few times, and go for it.

I just bought a Sekonic 358 and I plan on using it in situations where I actually have more time to set up and plan my shots. I have a maternity shoot coming up and I'd like to get the lighting down perfectly in camera. For weddings I don't think it would be possible for me because of how hectic it can get from moving around.

You guys would be surprised at a wedding with how easy it is. Before the ceremony, you can walk up to the alter and test the lighting, especially if it's in a church... You can also test the spot where you'll be shooting the processional... Think about it, you can't chimp while bridesmaids are walkind down the aisle.

For formals, you can test it for group shots and then shoot away since everyone stays in the same spot. Same for the b+g shots. For the reception, you can test the center of the dance floor, near the cake, etc. There's plenty of time to use it, and it'll at least get you close to where you need to be much faster.

I think using a meter actually speeds things up.

It takes about four seconds to take out the meter, press the button, and set your camera. Plus, it looks much more professional than taking a test shot and then saying, "Wait a sec. I'm just gonna check it. Hmmmm. (Flipping dial.) OK... now I'm ready!"

I had a situation recently where I had three kids under age 4 for a group shot. Needless to say, there would not be a lot of time to make this happen. So, while the mom was setting up the kids, I took a quick reading with my meter and had a bulletproof exposure. More importantly, as soon as the mom stepped away, I was shooting rapid-fire while we had the kids' attention. If I had to chimp in that situation, the baby would have been crawling away by the time I was ready.

I have just been eyeballing getting a sekonic 358 and this thread is making me want to go for it. Now that I am all manual, I think it will be a big help to keep me from having a panicky moment if I can't get my setting figured out.

kate

Definitely give it a try. If you hate it, return it and get your money back.

It requires a slightly different rhythm, but it's a proven technique that will give you more consistent results.

Every camera meter will underexpose skin tones (fair to medium skin) because they are reflected light meters. A fair complexion is about 1 to 1-1/2 stops brighter than 18% grey, which the meter is trying to obtain. Dark complexions will cause the meter to over-expose. That's why hand held meters are more accurate. They are reading the light FALLING on the subject, not reflecting off of it. If you use the in-camera meter, try to get a spot reading off of something in the grey (mid) tones, or just remember to compensate for the meter's ignorance.

I say go for it. I just bought one off of a fellow OSPr and I am sooo glad I did. I've been having the hardest time with equivalent exposures and I think the meter is going to help me learn the proper settings for each situation eventually.

Obviously there's no substitute for knowing how to do everything manually but it doesn't hurt to have a little help. Especially for people like me who are just not that good with numbers and math... and lets face it, photography is a LOT of math.