Re: Practical outdoor use of light meters & use of flash

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>I've been reading all the comments in the last several digests about 
>the need, or not, of light meters to judge exposures for shooting 
>stereo slides with 50's stereo cameras. 

For me the core of the argument is not whether you need a light meter
or not, but how important exposure is.  Clearly, the person who relies
on the exposure settings printed in film boxes does not care for 1/3
f-stop changes, while the fellow with the spot-meter and shutter speed
charts, does.

I use a light meter but have a casual attidude towards exposure. 
I know it is hard to believe, but I swear I have never set the 
aperture ring of my Realist between f-stops! (the shutter speeds
cannot or should not be set between two values)  That tells you
what I think about 1/2 stop exposure changes... As I said, perhaps
I have been missing something... but I don't know what that is...
The elusive "perfect exposure"?

Keith Wilson asks about the use of flash:

>What sort of flash do you use George?  What is the guide number?  

I use a Minolta 360PX.  The guide number is (in theory) 36 meters
at ASA 100.  The auto modes for ASA 100 are at f/2.8, f/5.6 and
f/11.  I usually use the flash in auto mode.  Works fine (within
my + or - one f-stop requirements ;))

>And, how do you balance the flash with daylight when you use it 
>for fill-in?

I am sure that those striving for the perfect exposure have a
good method for setting the flash for daylight based on careful
metering of the scene.  Maybe they can go into the details.  I
personally have no plan and do a number of things, depending
on the situation.  On a sunny day I always use the flash at
full power (and you need a powerful flash to see any effect
at all).  In other situations I first set the camera for
ambient light exposure and then set the flash for equal or 
1 f-stop less exposure.  It's all worked in my mind quickly 
depending on the situation (ambient light, distance of the 
subject from the camera, etc.)  A number of things will
work.  The exact settings are not critical for me (but they 
night be for others).  Fill-in flash works well especially for 
people photography.  It helps put a little bit of extra light 
on people's faces and a spark into their eyes.  

George Themelis


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 1363
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