Light meter options for meter-less Bronica

[dugrant153]

So I'm the proud owner of a beautiful Bronica camera 645 ETRS! So far, it's quite a beast of a beauty!

My photography is documentary in style and so I'm usually "outside looking in" and not doing too many posed portraits.

I'm currently using a Pentax MZ-5 with a 50mm lens as my "meter" for now. So far, it seems to be doing okay, but I'm wondering if I really need to upgrade to one of the awesome Sekonic light meters?

Given that I don't think I'll be wanting to place a white dome in front of a wedding couple while they're saying their vows, I figure something with a spot meter would be beneficial?

[R gould]

If you can get hold of a good weston master V then that would be one of the best, great for documetry style photography, but unless you are planning to do a lot of landscape photography, and want to try the zone system then you really do not need a spot meter, Congrats on the camera, they are great to use and not overly heavy to carry, Richard

[Ian Grant]

Something like a Gossen Luna Pro would be ideal, with a 7°/15° spot attachment, also has the cone diffuser as well.

Ian

[M.A.Longmore]

Something like a Gossen Luna Pro would be ideal, with a 7°/15° spot attachment, also has the cone diffuser as well. Ian

.
That's the perfect combination! I was able to eBay the meter, and spot attachment
for less than $20.00 w/ shipping. It just takes patience, and persistence!


Ron
.

[Ian Grant]

.
That's the perfect combination! I was able to eBay the meter, and spot attachment
for less than $20.00 w/ shipping. It just takes patience, and persistence!
Ron
.

Ron, these are also great meters for low light levels, very accurate, which is why I suggested one.

The original batteries aren't available any longer for some models but there's a cheap adapter that works perfectly with modern batteries.

Ian

[CGW]

If you like Sekonic and want a true 1 degree spot meter, look into the 508 or slightly pricier(and newer)558. Since film and developing aren't getting any cheaper, I'm not a fan of antique meters, whatever their historical reputation for accuracy, that require battery hacks or tack-on "spot" attachments limited to 10-15 degrees coverage.

[tkamiya]

I have a Sekonic 758DR that does both spot and incident. A bit pricey but I have no regret in buying this meter. I usually use it in incident mode but having an ability to do both has come in handy many times. In regards to metering incident, while you don't want to walk right up in middle of the wedding and put it right up to the bride's face, you can always meter at that location before the actual process or even do it where you are standing provided the lighting condition is essentially the same.

One thing 758DR won't do where your camera based metering will do is average metering and matrix metering. (former, you can meter multiple place and hit the average button) When you do "spot", you will have to know what you are metering and why (unless you are using gray card but then I'd just use incident....)

I like the flexibility my meter offers me. Rest is my skill in using it.

[Jeff Kubach]

Something like a Gossen Luna Pro would be ideal, with a 7°/15° spot attachment, also has the cone diffuser as well.

Ian

My recommention also.

Jeff

[CGW]

I have a Sekonic 758DR that does both spot and incident. A bit pricey but I have no regret in buying this meter. I usually use it in incident mode but having an ability to do both has come in handy many times. In regards to metering incident, while you don't want to walk right up in middle of the wedding and put it right up to the bride's face, you can always meter at that location before the actual process or even do it where you are standing provided the lighting condition is essentially the same.

One thing 758DR won't do where your camera based metering will do is average metering and matrix metering. (former, you can meter multiple place and hit the average button) When you do "spot", you will have to know what you are metering and why (unless you are using gray card but then I'd just use incident....)

I like the flexibility my meter offers me. Rest is my skill in using it.

Averaged, multiple spot readings are DIY matrix metering.

[TSSPro]

Agree on the 758DR- take meter readings before the ceremony starts and write them down on a sticky pad/note pad and reference them as the bride and groom go through the ceremony. On averaging spot meter readings, the 758dr lets you log the individual readings into the memory and displays them on an ev or f/stop scale so you can have a recording of dynamic range, or press the average button and average everything out.

All the best in your choice-