P3D Re: Classic Light Meter

[fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (Dr. George A. Themelis)]

>Most of the mini-flaming about meters (to generalize dramatically) are 
>from folk afraid that novices will take meter readings as gospel and 
>the possibility of this is so terrible that they should use no meters 
>at all first.

No, I am sorry.  That's not the case.  My concern is that novices (like
Dana, for example) might think that a (usually expensive) lightmeter is 
NECESSARY to take good stereo pictures (w/slide film) and that misguided
thought might prevent them from getting started in stereo.

FACT #1: I started with my Realist without a lightmeter.

FACT #2: My first light meter was a very cheap ($30 new) one and I used
         it for many years until it died a natural death.

FACT #3: (Importance of "correct" exposure) With slide film I only use
         full f-stops in my Realist (i.e. have never put the aperture
         ring between f-stops) and if I ever bother to bracket (very
         uncommon) I only bracket full f-stops.

FACT #4: Our club's Treasurer and Secretary use a Realist without a
         lightmeter.  Their only guide is a brief table of exposure
         seetings.  They both did very well in our competitions.

The above demonstrate how much I value lightmeters and exposure.  That's
just my opinion.  If you have money, buy a good & expensive lightmeter if
you think that this will improve your photography.  If you don't have
money, DON'T WORRY!!!!  Get the $105 Realist from DrT and use the exposure
table in the supplied updated instruction manual.

Now, let the flames begin! :-)

-- George Themelis


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2791
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