What handheld lightmeter ??

I haven't had a handheld lightmeter for 25 years,

I'm thinking of getting a basic handheld meter without spending too
much money, probably on ebay. I'd like to narrow down the selection.
Here's what I want it for.

I find that I'm shooting in small music clubs with spot lights on the
talent. I want to walk by the stage and inconspicuously take a meter
reading or two then dial in a EV setting on the digi camera and shoot
away.

I want a classic meter that
- Can lock in the reading so I can look it after I've walked away from
the satge,
- Readable in dim light, maybe a backlight.
- Has as narrow a fieldwith as possible for a basic meater.
- Uses batteries I can buy.
- Digotal readout and the ability to store a couple readings
would be great but I don't think these exist.

I don't want a fancy spot meter, for a bunch of reasons.

What models should I look at.

Thanks

--

a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m

Don't blame me. I voted for Gore.

Al Dykes wrote:

I haven't had a handheld lightmeter for 25 years,

I'm thinking of getting a basic handheld meter without spending too
much money, probably on ebay. I'd like to narrow down the selection.
Here's what I want it for.

I find that I'm shooting in small music clubs with spot lights on the
talent. I want to walk by the stage and inconspicuously take a meter
reading or two then dial in a EV setting on the digi camera and shoot
away.

I want a classic meter that
- Can lock in the reading so I can look it after I've walked away from
the satge,
- Readable in dim light, maybe a backlight.
- Has as narrow a fieldwith as possible for a basic meater.
- Uses batteries I can buy.
- Digotal readout and the ability to store a couple readings
would be great but I don't think these exist.

I don't want a fancy spot meter, for a bunch of reasons.

I very nice meter is the L508 Sekonic, but a bit pricey (as are its more recent
incarnations).

Meters today are in incident (dome), reflected (widefield) or spot. Some meters
have incident and spot meter all in one (like the 508)

I use the VF (Minolta) for incident and incident-strobe. It is a very good,
accurate, low price meter (US$200). For a spot meter I use my camera's spot
meter. (And I do regret selling the 508...).

The VF would be fine for the 'walk by incident' reading you're trying to obtain.
there are also Gossen's around US$100 that would do that pretty well. Just be
sure to get a meter with a low light sensitivity as low as possible (0 EV or less).

The three brands that seem to stand up are Minolta, Gossen and Sekonic.

Cheers,
Alan.
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On 28 Feb 2005 12:53:27 -0500, (Al Dykes) wrote:

- Can lock in the reading so I can look it after I've walked away from
the satge,
- Readable in dim light, maybe a backlight.
- Has as narrow a fieldwith as possible for a basic meater.
- Uses batteries I can buy.
- Digotal readout and the ability to store a couple readings
would be great but I don't think these exist.

I think the Minolta VF has all these capabilities as long as you buy
the accessory spot attachment. The only thing I'm not sure about is
the backlight. I don't have one on the IVF I'm using.

On 28 Feb 2005 12:53:27 -0500, (Al Dykes) wrote:

- Can lock in the reading so I can look it after I've walked away from
the satge,
- Readable in dim light, maybe a backlight.
- Has as narrow a fieldwith as possible for a basic meater.
- Uses batteries I can buy.
- Digotal readout and the ability to store a couple readings
would be great but I don't think these exist.

I think the Minolta VF has all these capabilities as long as you buy
the accessory spot attachment. The only thing I'm not sure about is
the backlight. I don't have one on the IVF I'm using.