Specifications

INTRODUCTION
METERS
302
Lightmeters
The majority of cameras have built-in exposure meters,
and yet many people who have such cameras feel the
need for separate exposure meters.
Built-in exposure meters are almost exclusively limited
to reading the light reflected. In some instances the
resulting photograph may be satisfactory. But very
frequently this “Average” light measurement is inappro-
priate. Unlike the handheld meter, built-in meters often
fail to compensate for scenes with high or low contrasts.
Proper exposure control is the key to accurate and
creative photography. Suppose pictures are being taken
at a sunny beach or in bright snow - both intense light
situations. The built-in reflected meter will tend to be
overly effected by the light reflected from the sand or
snow, resulting in an overexposed photograph. In such
a case, a hand-held incident light exposure meter can
be relied upon to give you the correct reading for
beautiful pictures. The incident meter which
measures the light falling on the subject, is suitable for
photography work in studios, such as shooting models
and commercial products, as well as for copy-work
where precise illumination balance and color repro-
duction are necessary The reflected light types which
measure the light reflected from all parts of a scene to
the camera are more suitable where the subject is
rather far away and unapproachable.
For a long time, handheld exposure meters were simple
instruments that did simple chores, namely measure
ambient light. Newer meters added a new dimension to
light measuring capability - reading short pulses of light
from electronic flash units. But the mechanism of the
meter is still mechanical: An electrically charged coiled-
galvanometer movement responds to light reaching a
photocell, and this reading, in arbitrary light value units
or EVs (Exposure Value), is transferred to a calculator
dial to arrive at a combination of aperture and shutter
speed. With flash-reading devices, the shutter speed is a
fixed value, namely 1/60th second for X-sync. Other
meters may have the galvanometer movement and
calculator dial in one function.
Microchip
The incorporation of microchip control into meter
design effectively overcomes the meter’s mechanical
limitations to an appreciable degree, and, at the same
time, broadens its capabilities. A microchip is nothing
more than a miniaturized integrated-circuit board. It
is up to the user to redefine those parameters in daily
use. The photographer merely enters data that
corresponds to the mode of operation or specific light-
measurement needed.
Microminiaturization permits cosmetic as well as
functional changes. It has made the meter sleek in
design, smaller in size and lighter in weight. A typical
microprocessor based meter features an LCD (liquid-
crystal-display) panel situated below the rotating head,
and buttons. There are slider controls that let you enter
the operating mode/measurement function and buttons
for selecting film speed, shutter speed, EV scale, and
possibly more. The digital readout displays one set of
data at any given time. With a calculator dial, on the
other hand, you simply have to visually line up any com-
bination you want, back and forth, from combination to
combination, to your heart’s content.
There is an advantage to digital. Having gotten the hang
of it, the easier to read display allows for faster
decisions. The numbers are more legible. And most
important, the readings obtained are fast and direct —
there is no need to transfer data from a needle reading
to a calculator dial. And for those who require exposure
readings made to the nearest 1/10 stop, the digital
display provides that information.
Spot Metering
Selective-area reflected light measurement with a spot
meter is an approach favored by many photographers.
Used with a neutral gray card, the spot meter simulates
an incident lightmeter. With microprocessor technolo-
gy, spot meters are available with electronic flash, as well
as with ambient light.
LIGHTMETERS
24 Hour Fax: [phone] ■ 212-239-7770