Do you use a light meter?

[Matthew Bennett]

For me a meter is actually a nice way to get off the camera for a minute, I shoot a lot of documentary type set ups for my job so I'm mostly a one-man camera crew. It's a nice way to just step away from the camera and explore the environment I'm in.

It's funny, the other day I was using a camera system (a hacked ****),

and I had a light meter in my hand, false color on an external monitor, and a waveform, zebras, histogram AND spot meter on the camera's screen. What an embarrassment of exposure tool riches we have these days!!!

 

[Liam Hall]

Wow, what a shock...

...a University professor who doesn't know what they are talking about.

My tip: don't let your prof know that you know he's a fool; smile and wave - it will be good practice for dealing with clients/actors/ex-wives...

 

[Kip Kubin]

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.


Ratios, scouting, quick ND choices to your AC who's still arriving at the next setup, etc.

That's like saying you don't need a directors viewfinder because the camera has a viewfinder...it's just another tool that makes things quicker and easier on set.

 

[Steven James Eaton]

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.

Don't tell Mullen, he does both.:emote_hippie:

 

[Peter Mosiman]

This is excellent. Now I don't feel so alone. Thanks everybody.

 

[Oliver Rush]

I use to super-religiously, but I have been using it less now that I have a waveform monitor and histograms for reference. I find myself only using them now when I have extra time to light a scene, but in most situations I have been using histograms and waveform monitors.

 

[Dylan Macleod CSC]

I rarely use a meter. As mentioned - for scouts - to ball park lighting before camera is up. I even try to ween myself off using it for film. Light by eye - then use the meter to land your exposure in the right place.

I taught a RED exposure class at a local college and the prof was surprised that I didn't use my meter when teaching exposure for RED. It is not relevant when "what you see is what you get".

When you are learning - I think you should understand how to use one and do exercises where you measure lighting ratios - but after that - throw it away.

Histograms/false color - way more useful.

 

[Peter Moretti]

Those who can, do.
Those who can't, teach.


Ratios, scouting, quick ND choices to your AC who's still arriving at the next setup, etc.

That's like saying you don't need a directors viewfinder because the camera has a viewfinder...it's just another tool that makes things quicker and easier on set

:rolleyes5: ... And don't put too much stock in kitschy sayings.

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

That's like saying you don't need a directors viewfinder because the camera has a viewfinder...it's just another tool that makes things quicker and easier on set.

I'm mostly directing and rarely shooting myself and I can tell you that there is hardly a thing which annoys me more than a pedantic cameraman who is checking light levels "to make sure all is right". The lightmeter in the picture is even more disturbing the flow than a make-up artist doing the last touch-ups no one sees.

The biggest plus of digital picture acquisition is that I'm not tied to budget regarding stock and that all the shortcomings of film like changing rolls every 4 minutes, "check the gate" and these rituals finally don't stop me of doing my job. And one of the obstacles has been the lightmeter. I'm happy hat this is over.

Hans

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

I use a light meter regularly.

This is because I don't usually set my stops on the fly.

I light to a pre-determined target stop, which I usually set while prepping the script in pre-production.

I, with my gaffer, select all my gear and come up with basic lighting plans based on our shooting stop.

Then we execute the plan. Precisely.

That means if the plan says t/2.8, then its not t/2.8 ⅓ , not t/2 ¾. Its t/2.8

I also do NOT like to have the camera running when lighting. I use the monitor paths for framing and focus references primarily. Their secondary function is to allow me to access the various data displays so I can verify (not set) exposure.

I definitely do not want to use the monitor as a way to fuel well intentioned but misinformed discussions with the director/producers.

(That goes triple on low budget shows where the monitors and monitoring paths are severely compromised. I have yet to work on a show that had a totally dialed in monitoring system in place on set. Maybe when it says ASC after my name?)

Basically if the meter says 2.8 and the camera waveform agrees, we shoot. If they disagree then something needs fixing. Fix then shoot.

All this pre-supposes that we have tested the camera and meter together and have accurate exposure profiles and the like.

 

[Scott Crawley]

I use a light meter regularly.

I definitely do not want to use the monitor as a way to fuel well intentioned but misinformed discussions with the director/producers.

(That goes triple on low budget shows where the monitors and monitoring paths are severely compromised. I have yet to work on a show that had a totally dialed in monitoring system in place on set.

I can 2nd that.