Respectifully, I tend to be skeptical about these kinds of manufacturers' statements. For one thing, it's out of context, since it refers to conventional exposure determination, which is fundamentally flawed, versus Zone Systems exposure determination (for the shadows). Also, one doesn't know whether it might be quasi-advertising, representing more aspirational thinking, versus realistic thinking.
There are two reasons for using a meter that are worthwhile to bear in mind. One is to get an idea of how one area of the scene will compare with another in the final black and white photograph.
A second is to determine exposure (exposing for the shadows) and to determine development (through metering highlights). I have both an analog Pentax V modified meter (where I can at least estimate tenths of stops for film texting and calibration), and a Pentax Digital modified meter for use in the field. I tend to think that modified meters are more useful for the former reason (above), where one is compariing how different colors will appear in the final black and white photograph. If one is using a color filter, then one can make these comparisons by metering through the color filter.
In contrast, by evaluating shadows and highlights, one is metering areas in the scene that are relatively colorless. I think that using a non-modified meter in these cases is acceptable. If one is using a color filter, then one can compensate the meter reading by applying a filter factor.
When I'm in the field, it might be nice to compare how different areas in the scene will copare in the final black and white photograph, with or without a filter. But, my primary purpose is to determine both exposure and what development time that I'll be using. After these have been determined for the negative, it's pretty much job-done.
Chris Burkett is a master color photographer, especially when the method of capture is via color transparency. And I've had the good fortune to have twice participated in guided tours of his studeo. Its interesting to note that he used a Pentax modified meter to estimate exposure in the field. Just in case, he also maintained a second Pentax Zone VI modified meter as a backup.
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