Light Meters Quick Guide

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Revision as of 09:42, 12 July 2013 by Kisaar24 (Talk | contribs)

Precautionary statements

Light meters are delicate instruments, handle with care!
Do not open, take apart, drop or handle roughly!
Keep the strap around your neck when using the meter.
Scratches can collect dirt which may slightly reduce light transmissions and affect the meter’s accuracy.
Do not expose meters to magnetic fields, extreme heat, humidity, leave in a locked car or expose to direct sunlight for periods of time.
Keep the meter in its case when not in use.

Media Loan Light Meters

Media Loan carries 3 basic types of light meters. Sekonic and Tundra analog meters, and a Sekonic digital meter.

Reflected Light Readings

Reflected Light Readings All of Media Loan’s light meters will read reflected light, which is the light reflected off a subject (see image right). With the Lumigrid accessory, the Sekonic analog meters will measure the light reflected from a scene. The High Slide cannot be used with the Lumigrid accessory for a reflected light reading. Sekonic digital meters and Tundra meters require you to slide the sphere accessory to expose the window below. Use for landscapes and other distant objects.

Grey Card Readings

To get an accurate reflected light reading, use an 18 percent grey 'Neutral Test Card' as a substitute for your subject. This card is especially made to reflect 18 percent of the light falling on it, the equivalent of a middle grey on a scale between white and black. The meter will read the grey card as the ideal average scene. If using a grey card is not possible, measure the reflected light from an appropriately lit subject which closely approximates this middle grey tone. (Media Loan does not have grey cards.)

Incident Light Reading

Incident light is the intensity of light coming from the source (sun, room light, etc.) and falling on a subject that can be measured. This is the equivalent of an 18 percent grey reading. Use for people and close objects.

Measurement for Movie Camera

The procedure for taking measurements when using a movie camera is the same as for taking ambient light measurements.

Motion Picture Camera Shutter Speeds

Standard frames per second: 24 FPS Slow motion: 36 FPS or higher Fast Motion: 18 fps or lower Shutter Speeds (at 24 FPS unless otherwise noted)

Bolex

1/80th of a second
1/65th of a second (with RX lenses)
1/30th of a second (single frame without RX lenses)

CP-16

1/55th of a second

Oxberry Animation Stand 0.25 second (single frame)

Sekonic Studio Deluxe Light Meters