Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The advantage of the incident meter is that the sphere, at least theoretically, can integrate the light coming from a number of different sources. Practically, you could do the same with a carefully positioned grey card, but it does not represent a three-dimensional subject. Mike D - -----Original Message----- From: Jonathan Borden <jborden@mediaone.net> To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Date: Thursday, December 23, 1999 7:44 AM Subject: RE: [Leica] Incident light: A Question & More >Art, > >The dome on an incident meter transmits 18% of the light that hits it and >hence it reads the same as a spotmeter reading of an 18% gray card. The >advantage is one of convenience (not having to carry and hold up a card), >but there is no technical advantage. > >Jonathan Borden > >> >> >> 2 questions regarding light/light meters..... >> >> 1) thinking about getting an incident meter and maybe >> a spot meter. I played with a Sekonic 508 at a camera >> store last weekend. It is digital, incident, and spot >> (1-5 deg.). Any comments on this meter from people >> using it or lusting after it :) >> Don't recall seeing it mentioned on the light meter >> thread a couple of weeks ago. I currently use an >> inexpensive match needle Sekonic L-188 Auto Leader. >> Since B&H will get a liitle over $400 of my >> hard-earned cash, I'd like to make this light meter >> decision just once. >> >> 2) regarding incident readings - Is it true, even with >> incident readings, that you still have to open up with >> lighter objcts and close down with darker objects? So >> the advantage then is simply more accurate readings? >> I guess I don't see how this is any better than a spot >> meter reading the important part of a scene, and then >> you adjusting open/close based upon whether metered >> part of scene is ligter or darker than 18% gray. >> >> Now, with reflectinve meter, I either try to meter >> something close to 18% gray (like a gravel driveway) >> OR I meter the scene and guess-timate up or down based >> on lightness/darkness of the most important element of >> the scene. >> >> Am I confused (that's another question) and how will >> my technique differ with an incident meter? >> >> thanks, as usual. >> .....Art (NJ) >> >> >> __________________________________________________ >> Do You Yahoo!? >> Thousands of Stores. Millions of Products. All in one place. >> Yahoo! Shopping: http://shopping.yahoo.com >> > >