P3D Re: Classic Light Meter

[michaelk@xxxxxxxxxxx (Michael Kersenbrock)]

> 
> No, I am sorry.  That's not the case.  My concern is that novices (like

Wasn't talking about you specifically George.  You weren't even in
my thoughts when I wrote that, just one interpretation of many flamefests
over the years. :-)

> 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.

I stand corrected.  I both dramaticized as well as over simplified, leaving
out the other major anxiety, which you have clearly point out. :-)

After paying $150 for a camera, a $30 meter is *NOT* required to take
good photos!

> 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.

Do you not use a lightmeter, now that it broke?  If so, why?
For that matter, why use the $30 one if it isn't necessary for
award winning photographs?

My Soligar Spotmeter was $50 and my Gossen Luna-Pro was only a little
more than that.  Still not expensive, but both seem to be accurate
(and off the same grey-card, the give identical results in reflective mode).

Are these the wild expensive meters that aren't necessary that a beginner
might buy unnecessarily?

Should one ONLY be minimalistic and only do the minimum that's absolutely
necessary?  

Might a beginner sometimes actually have money for a lightmeter?   :-)


> 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.


What does have to do with using a meter or not?  I don't understand.

> 
> 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.
> 

True. Many people do very well w/o a light meter at all.   Of course,
here in western Oregon, the "sunny 16" rule is the "cloudy 8 rule" or
some such.  :-)


Mike K.

P.S. - I suspect a lot of people do well *with* a light meter too.


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