Now that I have your attention.... (the word "free" always does it). But, yes, it is free!
For those in this community that have Vintage or film cameras that do not have TTL or on camera metering, this thing works better than your Digital cameras meter.
If you have a smartphone, you can download "Light Meter Free". You can pick which exposure zone to meter, or do them all and get an average. It has worked well for me, appears accurate, and really, really works well.
For those that use excellent digital handhelds in Studio work, I would be curious if you have ever used one of these apps in lieu of the meter that you usually use or have tested them versus a good digital handheld, and would like to opine (@weng @jinximages)
I have been having a TON of success with a couple of the free light meter apps on my iPhone, and really like Pocket Light Meter! :) You can 'hold' your settings - and the best part, you can 'save' them. It saves right to your phone, like a screenshot, along with the aperture information and even your location.
It really brought about a big improvement in my shooting on film, and it's helping me to get better about metering on my own. Pretty much every shot on every roll has been coming out, which I'm excited about!
@hamptanner Hahahahaha. That's a good one. I find the incident meter very trustworthy on it. Besides, if I didn't have it hanging around my neck, I wouldn't look like a photog that "really knows what they're doing". People might look at me funny with an iPhone around my neck. And, what if I got a call?
I have horrible times with Praktica cameras, dreadful times....I shall download this on android. And then subsequently delete it when I've finished the rolls of film and finally sold everything with the word Praktica on it.
@chewyteeth Sounds like you need to go my route, and pick up a nice 60 year old Minolta (Chiyoko) Semi P. Takes awesome pics! Hmmm, think I will post something with that old thang as my theme for today.
@cluvlj
I want an OM1
I'm a bit blind to anything else....still I have my Smena, TLR, Pentax etc. I'm not lacking. I never looked twice at a minolta, they're so cheap though, do you endorse?
@chewyteeth I have a Minolta Maxxum XTsi that I bought because it came with a 300mm lens (I'm having deja vu, we've had this convo before, haven't we) and I'm not a fan of it at all. However, it's also quite automatic, takes batteries, etc. When it comes to film I like sticking with mechanical vintage cams - so that may be the reason why. I've nothing against Minoltas themselves.
@chewyteeth Good chocie on the OM1. My Art and photog teacher from 8th grade (1976) had...HAS one (I found him on FB, and he still remembers me (not sure if that is good or bad). He still has it, and still uses it.
The Minolta I referenced is a 1951 pocket Medium Format. You have to be on our "A Game" with it, but it is a blast to use. Seen here (this one isn't mine): http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaufeetime/6688007119/
@cluvlj Thanks! Sometimes you just never think to yourself "There must be an app for that" and then someone else tells you they found an awesome app, and you didn't even have to research or anything, so thanks for sharing! :-)
@cluvlj Isn't it just? I had to edit my post above, because I had the two apps mixed up, and thought it was Light Meter Free that did this. :) Although I guess you could just do a screen capture there and get the same results!
@cluvlj It's got a GE marking (that's the red dot) and the plate on teh back reads
Exposure Meter
Type PR-1
for film or Plates
Use american standard exposure index numbers
Made in the USA
(remember when things were made in teh USA?)
Of course the shutter speeds did not match the shutter speeds on the camera it was bought to work with (an old mamiya/sekor) so I had to learn shutter speed conversions pretty well from the start.
@cluvlj
My friend/model (the blonde) has an OM1 and I showed her how to use it, which involved me saying, "then you...oh that's nice......then...oh that is so smooth...." and the pictures we got at the end of the day were super. Some of the ones I have took with her OM1 will make an appearance during Feb.
@cluvlj and for that I was always thankful. I learned and that's always stuck with me. Had I had an internal meter I wouldn't have thought when taking photos.
@cluvlj@toast How accurate would you say this meter is, its the only one that seems to work properly on my camera and I have the lux to ev conversions ready to roll. @looseimages@jinximages@chewyteeth
@cluvlj@justeddie Better than none at all. The issues are not so much software related, but hardware - the smartphone hardware is not designed to be as accurate as the software, because it just isn't as sensitive. When you consider that the hardware is designed so that the screen can be brightened or darkened depending on incidental light, the software does a great job of taking that information and providing a reading. I guess you could think of it as a clock with only an hour hand - it can give you a fairly good estimate of the time.
I would consider using it for a non-TTL camera if I didn't have a Sekonic (or other) meter. For digital, your TTL is better, particularly when combined with a grey card.
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It really brought about a big improvement in my shooting on film, and it's helping me to get better about metering on my own. Pretty much every shot on every roll has been coming out, which I'm excited about!
@beautifulthing, no you CAN'T have it! So there!
I want an OM1
I'm a bit blind to anything else....still I have my Smena, TLR, Pentax etc. I'm not lacking. I never looked twice at a minolta, they're so cheap though, do you endorse?
The Minolta I referenced is a 1951 pocket Medium Format. You have to be on our "A Game" with it, but it is a blast to use. Seen here (this one isn't mine):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaufeetime/6688007119/
Interesting idea, but the one I have works pretty darn good
But I always like a free download, well, the ones that work anyway *lol*
Exposure Meter
Type PR-1
for film or Plates
Use american standard exposure index numbers
Made in the USA
(remember when things were made in teh USA?)
Of course the shutter speeds did not match the shutter speeds on the camera it was bought to work with (an old mamiya/sekor) so I had to learn shutter speed conversions pretty well from the start.
Fun times! Just found the manual
http://www.cameramanuals.org/flashes_meters/ge_pr-1_exposure_meter-1.pdf
1947!
My friend/model (the blonde) has an OM1 and I showed her how to use it, which involved me saying, "then you...oh that's nice......then...oh that is so smooth...." and the pictures we got at the end of the day were super. Some of the ones I have took with her OM1 will make an appearance during Feb.
I've got a shoot this sunday.. i'll give it a shot and let you know :)
I would consider using it for a non-TTL camera if I didn't have a Sekonic (or other) meter. For digital, your TTL is better, particularly when combined with a grey card.
Just my two cents.