Light Meter

[Scott Watts]

Is a light meter necessary for using a RED camera?

 

[Sarah C.]

Hey! I can't believe no one was answering your post(s) regarding this. I'm not a Red owner, but I own a Minolta Flashmeter V. The Minolta IV-F is a popular meter too. I also have a Sekonic 1-3deg spotmeter. Thing is.. why can't you use what you are using now? You would not need a special meter for Red.. you just need to know how to light and make a correct exposure (which goes for any image capture device)..?

~S

 

[Scott Watts]

Is there just not anyone around who knows?

 

[Alexander Christ]

Use Histogram and False Color, no need for a light meter.

 

[Damien Molineaux]

It's a personal choice, and preferred working method.

A light meter is not required, Red has tools to help you expose. But if you want to compare exposure of two spots in a scene, check contrast, etc. It's a lot easier with a lightmeter to go from place to place and take a reading.

Cheers,
Damien

 

[Thomas Dobbie]

I think a lightmeter and a color temp meter are essential tools,perhaps I'm old school,but I don't think you can balance your light properly without these.
I personally use and can recommend the Sekonic L758 Cine together with the Sekonic C 500 Prodigi Color.
The Red One is a camera which has to be exposed correctly,if you want the cleanest images from it.
Tom

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Hey! I can't believe no one was answering your post(s) regarding this. I'm not a Red owner, but I own a Minolta Flashmeter V. The Minolta IV-F is a popular meter too. I also have a Sekonic 1-3deg spotmeter. Thing is.. why can't you use what you are using now? You would not need a special meter for Red.. you just need to know how to light and make a correct exposure (which goes for any image capture device)..?

~S

The best light meter comes free with Red One and it is histogram, false colour and stop lights displayed on your screen. It has been asked, discussed and answered before.

 

[Priyesh P.]

I have a Sekonic L-558 Cine, great thing! Can only recommend it!

 

[Fredrik Callinggard]

There's no need for the meter EXCEPT for cases when you prelight without camera or recce's.

I still use it on occasions where I don't want to have the camera hanging around all the time.

So the answer is in a way YES and NO. Totally up to you.

 

[Tanner Stauss]

I think the Cinematographer and Gaffer should ALWAYS have a light meter.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=13658

I just read this right before seeing this post. The first page will hep you understand. "big lebowski" and "harryclark" make very good points. Take note.