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Thread: Measuring the light using a digital camera

  1. #1

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    Measuring the light using a digital camera

    I have bought a photometer but I will received it in some days.
    This weekend I need to use my graflex and I am thinking to use a digital camera (a Fuji X10) as a photometer.
    Do you have experience using digital cámaras as photometer?
    Any recommendation?
    Should I compensate for 4x5 large format?
    Thanks for your comments

  2. #2

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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    i mostly use a digital camera to measure light. while i have several perfectly fine light meters, which i used for many years, i find the camera has more flexibility. i don't compensate at all for large format. i do compensate for using it handheld through proportional iso to the film i’m using on my large format camera. good luck!

  3. #3

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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    Thank you. I will feedback to the forum.

    Enviado desde mi ANE-LX1 mediante Tapatalk

  4. #4
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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    Apologies if this is obvious, but if you use a late-model digital camera as a meter, be careful not to use the default evaluating metering mode - those apply various unspecified scene-based compensations to conform to the manufacturer's ideas about what makes for optimal exposure in a digital capture. Instead, use an averaging, center-weighted or spot mode, which should generate more consistent readings that are actually possible to interpret.

  5. #5
    John Olsen
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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    Quote Originally Posted by Oren Grad View Post
    Apologies if this is obvious, but if you use a late-model digital camera as a meter, be careful not to use the default evaluating metering mode - those apply various unspecified scene-based compensations to conform to the manufacturer's ideas about what makes for optimal exposure in a digital capture. Instead, use an averaging, center-weighted or spot mode, which should generate more consistent readings that are actually possible to interpret.
    More along this line: The LCD display on your camera is probably set for a vivid display. To get a more accurate assessment, set the display contrast lower. How to do that is somewhere in your manual.
    Also, because the LCD is illuminated by itself, it can appear much brighter when you're using it in subdued lighting. That may lead to you underexpose your film.
    Good luck!

  6. #6

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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    I shoot an image and look at the histogram, NOT the image, reshooting until the histogram is appropriate. Otherwise you are subject to the whims of screen rendition quirks and brightness vs local light. This is the same as I do for digital for the same reason.
    Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
    Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
    Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
    You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear

  7. #7
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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    Quote Originally Posted by mdarnton View Post
    I shoot an image and look at the histogram, NOT the image, reshooting until the histogram is appropriate. Otherwise you are subject to the whims of screen rendition quirks and brightness vs local light. This is the same as I do for digital for the same reason.
    The histogram is based on the current jpg settings of the camera. Careful calibration may be required to determine jpg and ISO settings on a digital camera that yield histogram behavior that maps reasonably and consistently to particular film types.

  8. #8

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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    Sorry, should have said... been there, done that for my ultimate use, not for camera screen. Have a preset for it.
    Thanks, but I'd rather just watch:
    Large format: http://flickr.com/michaeldarnton
    Mostly 35mm: http://flickr.com/mdarnton
    You want digital, color, etc?: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stradofear

  9. #9

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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    Thank you very much. I will consider all your comments.

  10. #10
    Pieter's Avatar
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    Re: Measuring the light using a digital camera

    I would think that if the meter is accurate in the digital camera, then you should be able to just use the settings for your 4x5. Especially handy is if your digital has a spot meter option, too. The only downside is most digital camera's ISO settings don't go very low, so you would need to compensate for that if necessary.

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