Re: [Leica] Incident Metering - resources needed

["Simon Lamb" <simon@sclamb.com>]

Not sure about others but I use method b. with my Hasselblad.  I hold the
meter in front of the subject and point it towards the camera so that I get
a reading of the light falling onto the subject.  If I want fill-in flash I
may take the incident meter reading behind or to the side of the subject as
I want to expose for the surroundings and use the flash very slightly.  The
tricky subjects are those with strong sidelights, especially where you do
not want to use reflectors to balance the light across the subject but
rather keep the sidelit component.  I usually point the meter away from the
subject and between the light source and the camera.  Works pretty well most
of the time.

To be honest it probably does not matter where you point the meter as long
as the light falling onto the cell is the same intensity as that falling on
the subject.  This is certainly the case when taking landscapes and shots
where you cannot approach the subject easily.  The obvious alternative then
is to take the reflected reading.

Simon

- ----- Original Message -----
From: "William Gower" <wgower@eco-tec.com>
To: "Leica Users Group" <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2000 2:33 PM
Subject: [Leica] Incident Metering - resources needed


> The last few threads on Reflected vs. Incident metering has gotten me
> thinking:
>
> How do _you_ incident meter ?
>
> I has been only in the last year that I've weaned myself off reflected TTL
> metering. Some success, some failure. It's to be expected, but I am
getting
> much, much better. Years back, I picked up a used Gossen LunaSix meter but
> it mostly sat in my bag. I never had the patience or the need to be really
> proficient with it. Now, armed with a meterless Leica, I am, as they say
in
> Pennsylvania Dutch country - "Euchred".
>
> My theory: Learning hand-held metering is analogous to learning Chinese -
> it's best to totally immerse oneself.
>
> ....or as they say at summer camp - "sink or swim".
>
> I've had the opportunity to observe 3 photographers lately using incident
> metering at 3 weddings this summer (all three using 2-1/4 cameras w/WL
> finders) . All three fellows used incident meters in totally different
ways.
> (And seeing as they were working, the last thing they needed was someone
> asking them questions.)
>
> One fellow pointed the meter directly at a. the SUBJECT. One fellow
pointed
> the meter with his back to the subject at b. the CAMERA, and one fellow
> stuck his arm up at 90 degrees and metered c. the SKY. All three
situations
> were basically identical, group shot, on the lawn, subdue 3-4pm sunlight,
no
> apparent tricky shadows.
>
> I use method b. But barring all other factors, does it matter how you
meter
> in these cases, or does it come down to personal preference? Are there any
> "rules" here ?
>
> Thanks
>
> William
>
>
>