Flash unit and light meter

PhotometricPhotometric Registered Users Posts: 309 Major grins
edited December 24, 2009 in Accessories
Hi all,

Got my first flash unit (Alienbee 800 :ivar) this week, and wondering what are good suggestions for light meters.
http://www.djdimages.com/

"Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
-- Abraham Lincoln

Comments

  • ivarivar Registered Users Posts: 8,395 Major grins
    edited December 20, 2009
    I've moved this to accessories thumb.gif
    Ivar
    www.ivarborst.nl & smugmug
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited December 20, 2009
    The Sekonic L-358 is inexpensive, and works well. It is nice because it offers the ability to use a Pocket Wizard receiver to trigger your flash, via a small accessory transmitter that fits in the light meter itself. It is helpful if you want accurate 2:1 or 3:1 flash ratios.

    It is nice to set up your strobe, never touch your camera, fire your strobe, and know what aperture and shutter speed settings will get a perfect exposure before you start shooting. Put your camera in manual mode, set the aperture and shutter speed from the firing via the Sekonic, and you are ready to rock.

    Or you can just fire a few test shots with your camera, and figure out what the correct exposure is, and go with that. There are lots of folks who do it either way.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited December 20, 2009
    Gotta ask.....doing this for a hobby or going for income?

    Appearance means a lot to a client....the light meter gives the impression that you know more than the average joe/joyce............
    There are several choices....As Pathtfinder mention Sekonic is good....I used a Shepard FM1000 for a long time.....no woned by Polaris...good also......used Minolta Color meters (they are actually incident light meters.....)......just make sure on a used one that you can return it if it gives faulty readings.....

    Also if you are like me and do not want high dollar power wizards....you can use the RD616 triggers like I do and the Sekonic meter wil still fire the flash.....I bought 3.5 sets of the triggers and transmitters...so I have transmitters that can go on the light meter........
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • PhotometricPhotometric Registered Users Posts: 309 Major grins
    edited December 21, 2009
    I'm attempting to move from the hobby stage to doing this for income. Trying to slowly build up to something, but I wanted to hear from people who actually use the equipment their thoughts.
    http://www.djdimages.com/

    "Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
    -- Abraham Lincoln
  • jinajjjjinajjj Registered Users Posts: 1 Beginner grinner
    edited December 22, 2009
    I have same ideal with Photometric, i need some advice for choosing flash unit and light meter.
  • AlbertZeroKAlbertZeroK Registered Users Posts: 217 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2009
    The L-358's ability to fire a Pocket Wizard (you MUST buy it with the Pocket Wizard Radio attachment) is just amazing. I have one and love it!

    When I got mine, Adorama had the best deal, they sold me a package with the L-358 and the pocket wizard unit together.
    Canon 50D and 2x T2i's // 2x 580ex II // FlexTT5's & MiniTT1's
    EFS 17-55 f/2.8 & 10-22 // Sigma 30mm f/1.4 & 50mm f/1.4
    Sigma Bigma OS // Canon 70-200 IS f/2.8
  • PhotometricPhotometric Registered Users Posts: 309 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2009
    Forgive my ignorance what is a pocket wizard exactly so I know when I order it?
    http://www.djdimages.com/

    "Don't worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition."
    -- Abraham Lincoln
  • AlbertZeroKAlbertZeroK Registered Users Posts: 217 Major grins
    edited December 24, 2009
    Photometric wrote:
    Forgive my ignorance what is a pocket wizard exactly so I know when I order it?

    Pocket Wizard is a brand of wireless radio controlled remote controls for lighting. Basically pocket wizards allow you to fire your flash wirelessly. They are very good and well respected - VERY popular too! But they are a little pricey (about $200 per flash and again $200 for a unit on your camera).

    Anyways, as you can image, with wireless control of your lighting, you can fire the flash from any position without wiring about any wires being connected to your camera. Also, if you use a flash meter, you will need to unplug those wires from your camera and plug them into your flash meter, so your flash meter can fire the flashes to take measurements. You can see the appeal of being able to just grab your flash meter and hit a button and it fire your flashes remotely!

    Oh yeah, if you get a meter, make sure you always keep a new spare battery with you.
    Canon 50D and 2x T2i's // 2x 580ex II // FlexTT5's & MiniTT1's
    EFS 17-55 f/2.8 & 10-22 // Sigma 30mm f/1.4 & 50mm f/1.4
    Sigma Bigma OS // Canon 70-200 IS f/2.8
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