So glad I discovered your channel! I am watching your videos in chronological order, so this video is where I currently am (9/24/23). I was weened on hand meters as far back as 1972. I purchased a Hasselblad. Since it was strictly mechanical, I bought a hand meter. In 1985 I purchased my first set of studio lights (Novatrons!!), so I also purchased a Minolta Flash Meter IV, which I still own today, and it still works flawlessly. I did buy a Sekonic L-758DR several years ago, specifically since it also had a built-in 1 degree spot meter. For studio work today, I can use either meter, as they're within 1/10 stop from each other. I practice the same metering techniques as you, including "dome in" for precise strobe measurement. And, I agree whole heartedly with all your reasoning and methodology. Not sure about your L-470, but my L-758 can be programed to measure in full, 1/2, or 1/3 f-stop increments. I set it to 1/3 f-stops specifically so that the meter mirrors the exact same f-stops as my camera, or any modern day camera. This also limits the 10th stop readings to no more than 2/10. After 2/10, the f-stop reading will simply change to the next actual f-stop. My Minolta only reads in full stops, so I get 10th stop readings from 1/10 to 09/10 with it! That said, I'd like to make one suggestion about this tutorial - and that would be, in the future, to elaborate a bit more on the meter's capability of measuring in 1/10th stop increments. Newcomers to flash meters would not be aware that these meters can actually measure in 1/10th stop increments, and may find your discussion a bit confusing.

Did a quick search of how to use a light meter and, not surprisingly, yours was the best. Exactly what I was looking for.

I'm so happy to see addition information on the usage of light meters. I've been using one for the past two years and had to really trial and error to try and really use it in my work flow. Always good to get more information on out tools in the kit.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

glad you enjoyed!!

another on point video, Sal. I've been using a light meter since my film days. And you are 100% right when you say that the image on the back of the camera will lie to you. For me a light meter is worth the cost. Thanks

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

agreed!! thanks for watching.

Yes, I've been using a flash meter (not all light meters measure flash too) for years. You explained using one very well. Thank you.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful!

Recently bought a sekonic light meter, This video gave me a bigger understanding as far as using multiple lights and lighting ratios.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

AWESOME!!

Leaving the sphere in and pointing to the light makes a lot of sense. I have not been doing it that, but plan on changing my work flow. Thanks for the tip Sal!

Good video about using a light meter. I purchased one a few months ago for multiple flashes and am glad I did. Good point about what you see on your screen. At first I thought my light meter was not measuring correctly but then in light room I realized it was.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Right on

Thanks Sal. Haven't used my Sekonic LiteMaster Pro L-478 in about 9 months. Excellent results when i do use it.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

agreed.

I’m looking forward to the next instalment using the light meter outdoors that’s something I’ve never done but thinking about it that would be useful sometimes

Thanks for the explanation of why you keep the lumisphere retracted for this application. I've always used it extended, but your method makes sense for a more directional measure.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

awesome! that makes me happy to hear

@k_m6227

10 ай бұрын

Yes me to use it the same

@MdKawser-bk9vq

10 ай бұрын

​@@k_m6227ন চ্রযপ 😊উ 😮 😊😊

Thanks for this. Lie many others, I’ve had a Sekonic light meter forever and never used it (properly). Changing for sure!

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

there you go!! get at it. :)

Excellent video! I am purchasing a light meter right away!

now for the outdoor one ! cant wait

Sal, been watching your videos and noted your light meter use. Just got a used Sekonic and this vid was perfectly timed to see how (easy) it is to use. Need to give it a try in anger. Thanks!

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Glad I could help!

I do use a Sekonic 308 light meter for indoor portraits. I like it👍

short and sweet, thanks.

I always use a light meter since the 50's. Both inside and outside. It is so easy to get it right the first time and every time, even with sunlight and flash.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

love it!

is about time Mr. Sal, I am using sekonic LX-380, and thanks for your video on this

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Glad you liked it.

Great Job !

Thank you, very helpful

You made it sound very, very easy.

Great sal show this video, I also don't let go of my flashmeter for nothing, mainly to combine artificial light with the environment is too top, big hug from Brazil

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

TY TY!!!

Highly Educative video on light meter use.

My 20yr old Minolta light meter isn't even digital! Haha. I've changed the battery in it once and use it weekly in the studio. Great video Sal. Well explained.

Sal - Your the man. Way to break it down

Its so great tutorial . Thank u so much . Months searching for this kind of explain like what u did . God bless man 🙏 . And please more about how we use it in photoshoot .

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

Thank you. very straight to the point.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

ty ty! always my goal!

Wow.... Great information on the usage of the light meter... Tbh I almost skipped the video.😂😂 I have never used a light meter before. I would have to give it a try... Tbanks Sal. I love the video. I hope Sekonic gets you that light meter btw

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

haha. well thats awesome glad you didnt skip!!

Thank You!! 🙏

About time Sal 😜 Thank you!!

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

lol.

Great video as usual....I still use an old Sekonic L-758 DR and it works fine......😜

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Nice!

You’re the best

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

appreciate you!

Love your explanations. Can you make a KZread about reading the histogram

Pure gold content

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

ty so much!

Yeah common #Sekonic send a new model! lol - Thanks for explaining it better than most videos! I've always just used the histogram and so-called "winged-it" but I get why now its so important...especially when using a multi-light setup as I so often do! Now I just gotta find said meter that I bought couple years ago at my first Shutterfest!

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

You bet!

Sekonic for studio work here, it would be great to get a video on using a light meter outdoors. Signed, Grasshopper

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Got it! in the works!!

While shooting indoor we will set the exposurex settings to cut off ambient light and then add flash power accordingly how to handle this situation??

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

brilliant.

great tutorial, Sal. Got one question though: how do you account for the additional light the second light source produces on your model. Let's say you got one flash at 45° camera right and one at 45° camera left. The two flashes add light cumulatively to different parts of the model - depending on the angle. Some parts might get too hot. Do you deal with that mathematically or eyeball it and correct by gut?

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

GREAT QUESTION!! there is 100% additive lighting that will happen. but to that point - it all depends on lighting location... for example... a rear light isnt going to add to the face (unless its reflecting off a wall, etc) but in the case of them being in a clam shell set up, etc - this could add to exposure... for me... i would set up ratios first... ie key light 5.6 fill at 4.0 (so you know the ratio is right) then i would take a reading with both lights on and pop the lumisphere out and measure total light hitting subject, but maintain my ration. make sense?

@michiuno2238

10 ай бұрын

@@SalCincotta1 well, sort of. Let's say camera right alone reads 5.6, camera left is at 4. Together they will probably read half a stop brighter than the 5.6 -> 7.1. So you set the camera at 7.1 then? How often does that work vs. how often do you correct by eye afterwards?

Nice video but I still have 1 question!! I just bought the sekonic L 478Dr Lite master pro. I have godox flashes, but I wonder if it works the same. How can I adjust the parameters of the flash to get a right exposure? I got lost... I have never used a light meter before... hope to hear from you❤❤❤ Hugs from Norway

@SalCincotta1

3 ай бұрын

no worries. :) yes, they work the same. you are ultimately measuring the light as it hits the meter. you might trigger the lights differently, but its the same process overall. not sure where you are getting lost, but i will help if i can.

One thing i learned is that Westcott has an app for the lights that you can use to trigger the lights and more

Sal can you show how to use the Sekonic 5 degree viewfinder for the 478Dr?

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

i dont have that one... but i will try to get my hands on it.

What would those settings look like if you were trying to shoot at 1.2 with your 85mm? Flash output would be way down, I assume? Is it safe to say that, if you have a F stop in mind, you are trying to match the power levels on the flash to trigger the F stop reading you are looking for?

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

correct. im measuring for f stop based on a sync speed and iso. the unit allows you to adjust what you are measuring for. so if you know you want a certain f stop setting you could measure for shutter speed or iso.

Hi Sal, the video is perfect, but I do have a stupid question. On a multi light setup, the f stop on the camera, after measurements, should mirror the key light, correct?

@SalCincotta1

2 ай бұрын

Not a dumb question at all. That was a correct. Match to key light.

Are all the additional lights one stop different than the main light? Or do those very depending on which light

@SalCincotta1

3 ай бұрын

any additiona lights you add to the scene depend on the look and ratio you are trying to achieve. this is a great video - kzread.info/dash/bejne/ZKmbx5tspLrgcdY.html

Finally I can start using mine. But I can’t get it to go to 200 from 250. Do you use yours on 250 ?

Hello, un saludo cordial desde chile , tengo una Nikon z7ii y no he usado el sekonic, con tu explicación volvere a usar y se que mejorare mucho, agradezco igual que pongas la opción de subtítulos en otros idiomas así ayudas a quienes no entendemos todo el ingles, felicidades y gracias por la gran ayuda.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

¡de nada! Estoy muy feliz de ayudar a mis compañeros fotógrafos de todo el mundo.

Please please more like this video about lightmeter.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

on it!

Great video, just had a few problems with over exposed images by nearly 2 stops. Do you calibrate each camera you use.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

ty ty! no... this isnt a calibration issue per se. the reading its giving you is the reading regardless of camera, etc. so... i wonder if something else was off? make sure all the settings match - from ISO, to ShutterSpeed, etc.

@KevMeredith-bi6um

10 ай бұрын

@SalCincotta1 Thanks Sal, All settings the same 200 iso 100 f8 but meter showing f4 bump up the power to get f8 and highlights blown out. Think I got doggy meter. 😅

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

@@KevMeredith-bi6um that really could be the case. because based on what you are saying - you are doing it right!

I grew up using lightmeters and know how to use them. I don't use them anymore (still have one) Why not? because lightmeters will not give me the mood that I am after. I set my lights one at a time. But that's just me. The best thing is, is what works best for each indivitual.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

no lies told!

PLEASE MAKE A VIDEO WITH MODEL WITH PRACTICAL WITH LIGHT METER IT WOULD BE GREAT HELP THANKYOU SIR

“But, but, but…. MyCamera does Everything!!!” LOL. Stupidest phrase ever uttered 😀 thanks for your great video. 😀

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

Did you get a new one from Sekonic 😅

I’m a light meter novice. It didn’t occur to me that you had to turn off all the lights off except the one you are measuring. Duh!

@SalCincotta1

2 ай бұрын

Glad it helped.

HI, Sal! I liked your light meter video. Good pacing; I see you edited out unnecessary pauses/dead spots to keep things flowing well. Thanks for that! Suggestion, though--in your close-ups of the light meter, your recording camera properly focuses on the meter--but then every time you reach in with your hand, the camera auto-focuses on your hand (which doesn't need to be sharp) and blurs the image of the light meter! You could say I'm being picky, of course--except that it would be so easy to let the recording camera focus on the light meter, and then turn off its auto-focus. Then the light meter would remain sharp. Also, please make up your mind about that beard! Either shave before you do a video, or grow it out a little longer so it looks like you intended it to be a short beard, instead of looking like you forgot to shave! 😉 Again, thanks for the instructive video...!

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

thanks for watching and enjoying the video. ill leave my personal hygiene to myself if its all the same. :)

I used a lightmeter since I was 16. It's just a better life with them. But Sekonic is costly alas.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

good to hear! and no doubt. :)

Would be lost in the studio without a light meter!!

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

amen to that!

Sal, I've been using a light meter (Sekonic) since my film days and it has saved me a ton of money! Now it saves me a ton of time. I would be lost without my meter.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

Right on!

@AshwaniKumar-me7cj

10 ай бұрын

​@@SalCincotta1aa

@Lpb-qg4ez

10 ай бұрын

ຕາມ

Next, "How to measure for HSS." 🙏

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

gotcha!

@charliegreen1989

10 ай бұрын

@@SalCincotta1don’t you need the top of the range L-858 to measure HSS?

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

@@charliegreen1989 I believe you’re correct… so… looks like I have a trip to bh coming up. :)

😂

ولع ولع ولع

I've owned a Sekonic light meter for two years. I never used it. I was afraid of it, it sneered at me every time I walked past it. Hanging so smugly on my main C-stand, it looked cool and professional. I was a poser. Thanks, Sal. I have tamed the beast. It is really quite friendly now that I have shown it no fear.

@SalCincotta1

10 ай бұрын

haha. best response ever!!