I've been scanning some old negatives (and by old, I mean some of my first photos, from the late 1960s and onward) and while many are very well-exposed, I'm surprised at how many aren't. And I thought I knew how to meter then! Tricky indeed, with old meters.
I really like to think I’m a better photographer now than I was 30+ years ago. But modern gear has definitely made things easier, and shooting with the old cameras again is humbling!
Concrete and grass. If it’s there meter off that and reframe. Works every time. Or get yourself a second hand Sekonic L308. Or even better a hand held spot meter. The money you spend will be offset by the money you save on film wasted. Heard of sketchy results using some phone apps and they are not as consistent as a a real light meter, which takes the guess work out, no doubt.
Yes! I've been using the ground if it's got something in the mid-tones like grass or concrete. Luckily, most of my cameras have meters that are fairly accurate overall, but are just confused by lots of sky or other bright areas. So this is a great option. I think phone apps can provide a good gut check, but they are definitely not as good as an actual light meter, and I am planning on picking one of those up eventually.
Man I feel this! I have 3 film cameras that I trust the meter on and all are from the 2000s. Anything before that, I shoot at 1 or 2 stops over and pray. lol
I've been scanning some old negatives (and by old, I mean some of my first photos, from the late 1960s and onward) and while many are very well-exposed, I'm surprised at how many aren't. And I thought I knew how to meter then! Tricky indeed, with old meters.
I really like to think I’m a better photographer now than I was 30+ years ago. But modern gear has definitely made things easier, and shooting with the old cameras again is humbling!
Concrete and grass. If it’s there meter off that and reframe. Works every time. Or get yourself a second hand Sekonic L308. Or even better a hand held spot meter. The money you spend will be offset by the money you save on film wasted. Heard of sketchy results using some phone apps and they are not as consistent as a a real light meter, which takes the guess work out, no doubt.
Yes! I've been using the ground if it's got something in the mid-tones like grass or concrete. Luckily, most of my cameras have meters that are fairly accurate overall, but are just confused by lots of sky or other bright areas. So this is a great option. I think phone apps can provide a good gut check, but they are definitely not as good as an actual light meter, and I am planning on picking one of those up eventually.
Man I feel this! I have 3 film cameras that I trust the meter on and all are from the 2000s. Anything before that, I shoot at 1 or 2 stops over and pray. lol
That gave me a good laugh! They keep it interesting, that’s for sure!