Sekonic L-758DR Light Meter Help

[Jon Chema]

Can someone explain the basics of using a light meter with modern digital cinema cameras such as the Red One and Canon 7-D? I've rented one for a wedding shoot and am pretty confused. I'm familiar with frame rate, shutter angle/speed, and aperture but am getting confused with this meter.

Your help is appreciated!

 

[michael zaletel]

From what I've heard, you want to shoot the 7D at 24fps and 1/50 shutter speed so that takes out one variable.

-michael zaletel

 

[Joel Kaye]

Can someone explain the basics of using a light meter with modern digital cinema cameras such as the Red One and Canon 7-D? I've rented one for a wedding shoot and am pretty confused. I'm familiar with frame rate, shutter angle/speed, and aperture but am getting confused with this meter.

Your help is appreciated!

Here's my advice: Use the in camera meters of each camera for exposure. I've tested the RED, 7D and several light meters off gray cards. They all recommended a different exposure at the same ISO. Light meters can vary from one to the next.

Light meters are great but you really need to test yours against the camera to figure out what compensation to build into the light meter so it matches what the camera recommends.

(and yes - there should be a 24P setting in the light meter. That matches a 1/48th shutter. 1/50th on the 7D is the normal shutter setting for movies.)

 

[Jon Chema]

Here's my advice: Use the in camera meters of each camera for exposure. I've tested the RED, 7D and several light meters off gray cards. They all recommended a different exposure at the same ISO. Light meters can vary from one to the next.

Light meters are great but you really need to test yours against the camera to figure out what compensation to build into the light meter so it matches what the camera recommends.

(and yes - there should be a 24P setting in the light meter. That matches a 1/48th shutter. 1/50th on the 7D is the normal shutter setting for movies.)

So the normal shutter angle for shooting 24p on both the Red One and 7D should be 1/50th? As long as I can establish that I can just play with the ISO and aperture to adjust my exposure. I'm going to also be shooting in 60fps, assuming the shutter angle/speed will change as well?

I apologize if this is an amateur question, I'm used to just messing FPS, Aperture and ISO and not worrying about angle.

 

[Joel Kaye]

So the normal shutter angle for shooting 24p on both the Red One and 7D should be 1/50th? As long as I can establish that I can just play with the ISO and aperture to adjust my exposure. I'm going to also be shooting in 60fps, assuming the shutter angle/speed will change as well?

I apologize if this is an amateur question, I'm used to just messing FPS, Aperture and ISO and not worrying about angle.

Use 1/48th on RED and 1/50th on the Canon. 60FPS should be 1/120. You can play with different shutter speeds. Slower than recommended will give you some blur. Faster shutters give you that Gladiator action look. Adjust to taste.

 

[Tom.Wong]

isn't the general rule of thumb, for a natural look, your shutter speed should be double your frame rate for a natural look? thus if you were shooting 500 fps, you should be shooting at 1/1000th of a shutter speed for a 180 degree shutter? and that will give you the least amount of motion blur and most "natural" look?

or am i all off on it?

 

[Jon Chema]

isn't the general rule of thumb, for a natural look, your shutter speed should be double your frame rate for a natural look? thus if you were shooting 500 fps, you should be shooting at 1/1000th of a shutter speed for a 180 degree shutter? and that will give you the least amount of motion blur and most "natural" look?

or am i all off on it?

Tom that is what I had always thought. Obviously with a digital sensor the shutter is virtual as well so how much of an impact it has on the look of the image is probably up for debate?