Difference between revisions of "Light Meters Quick Guide"

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The procedure for taking measurements when using a movie camera is the same as for taking ambient light measurements.
====Motion Picture Camera Shutter Speeds====
Standard frames per second24 FPS
Standard frames per second = 24 FPS. Slow motion = 36 FPS or higher. Fast Motion = 18 fps or lower.
Slow motion36 FPS or higher
Fast Motion18 fps or lower
Shutter Speeds (at 24 FPS unless otherwise noted):<br />
Shutter Speeds (at 24 FPS unless otherwise noted)<br />

Latest revision as of 08:49, 24 September 2018


Precautionary Statements

Light meters are delicate instruments, handle with care!
Do not open, take apart, drop or handle roughly!
Keep the strap around your neck when using the meter.
Scratches can collect dirt which may slightly reduce light transmissions and affect the meter’s accuracy.
Do not expose meters to magnetic fields, extreme heat, humidity, leave in a locked car or expose to direct sunlight for periods of time.
Keep the meter in its case when not in use.

Media Loan Light Meters

Media Loan carries 3 basic types of light meters. Sekonic and Tundra analog meters, and a Sekonic digital meter.

Reflected Light Readings

Reflected Light Readings All of Media Loan’s light meters will read reflected light, which is the light reflected off a subject (see image right). With the Lumigrid accessory, the Sekonic analog meters will measure the light reflected from a scene. The High Slide cannot be used with the Lumigrid accessory for a reflected light reading. Sekonic digital meters and Tundra meters require you to slide the sphere accessory to expose the window below. Use for landscapes and other distant objects.

Grey Card Readings

To get an accurate reflected light reading, use an 18 percent grey 'Neutral Test Card' as a substitute for your subject. This card is especially made to reflect 18 percent of the light falling on it, the equivalent of a middle grey on a scale between white and black. The meter will read the grey card as the ideal average scene. If using a grey card is not possible, measure the reflected light from an appropriately lit subject which closely approximates this middle grey tone. (Media Loan does not have grey cards.)

Incident Light Reading

Incident light is the intensity of light coming from the source (sun, room light, etc.) and falling on a subject that can be measured. This is the equivalent of an 18 percent grey reading. Use for people and close objects.

Measurement for Movie Camera


Motion Picture Camera Shutter Speeds


Shutter Speeds (at 24 FPS unless otherwise noted):


1/80th of a second
1/65th of a second (with RX lenses)
1/30th of a second (single frame without RX lenses)


1/55th of a second

Oxberry Animation Stand 0.25 second (single frame)

Sekonic Studio Deluxe Light Meters

The Sekonic light meter functions as a dual purpose exposure meter, reading either incident or reflected (luminance) light. This professional, versatile instrument is designed, however, to give the most accurate exposure information based on incident light readings.



Shaped like a dome, the Lumisphere attachment simulates the curvature of a human face. Position it over the light sensor on the meter’s swivel head. The Lumisphere may only be used for incident light readings.


When an incident light reading cannot be taken (distant landscapes, wild animals, etc.), use the Lumigrid accessory to measure reflected light. Reflected light measurement with the Lumigrid accessory is possible only when the intensity of the reflected light exceeds 125 foot candles.
Also, all Lumigrid readings are measured with the red ‘H' pointer without the High Slide inserted. This accessory works well for reading illuminated or neon subjects.


The Lumidisk measures illumination when pointed from the subject directly at an individual light source. It is often used for animation stand and light table work to measure light coming through back lit glass. The Lumidisk is also used to measure the difference between key and fill lights when trying to achieve specific contrast ratios as in close up, studio photography. Documenting these lighting ratios will allow you to control contrast for later duplication of the same scene or light quality. Knowing the contrast ratio is also important because photographic films have varying and limited light sensitivity ranges. Color film, for example, is limited to a four F-stop exposure range, the equivalent of a 16:1 contrast ratio. If the brightest area in a shot reads 160 foot candles, the darkest areas cannot read below 10 foot candles. Exceeding the 16:1 ratio would wash out highlights and blacken shadow details. To decrease contrast ratios, add light to dark areas and/or reduce light in bright areas.

High Slide

Under brightly lit conditions (when the meter needle pegs to the right) inserting the High Slide into the slot on the top of the swivel head will convert the Sekonic to ‘high illumination measurement’ and readings will be measured in using the ‘H’ pointer. When the High Slide is not in use, readings should be measured using the ‘L’ pointer. (Except when using the Lumigrid as previously explained.) When the High Slide is not being used, store it in the meter’s back.

Zeroing the Light Meter

Before taking a reading, make sure the meter is zeroed. To do this:

Hold the light meter upright and eliminate all light reaching the sensor by covering the light port in the swivel head with your hand. This may be done with an accessory installed. Press the needle lock button and release it. The needle should point to zero on the incident light scale. If it doesn’t, return the meter to Media Loan and ask to have the meter zeroed.

Taking a Light Reading

Install the appropriate accessory by matching the white dots and turning the accessory clockwise until it stops. Select the film speed by turning the center dial until the appropriate ASA is indicated in the index window (ASA is the same as ISO). Point the Sekonic’s sensor from the area you want to be ideally exposed, on a line of axis with the camera lens. Be careful not to block light from the sensor. Push the needle lock button and release it. The needle will lock into reading position.

Reading the Meter

The needle will point to a foot candle number on the incident scale. Turn the outer dial until the white ‘L’ pointer corresponds to the foot candle number indicated by the needle. If the needle moves beyond the incident scale (pegs right), as mentioned in the accessories section, insert the High Slide re-measure the light, and line up the outer dial number with the red ‘H’ pointer. To determine the F-stop consult the Shutter Speed Scale on the bottom of the meter . Choose the shutter speed at which you will shoot. The correct F-stop will be located below the shutter speed.

Filter Adjustments

When using filters on your camera, the aperture may need to allow more light onto the film plane. Find out the factor for the filter you’re using and consult the X1/2, X2, and X4 symbols on both sides of the red ‘H’ and ‘L’ pointers to increase or decrease exposure. For instance, to double exposure for a filter factor of two, rest the X2 symbol (on the right side of the ‘L’ or ‘H’ pointer) under the foot candle number corresponding to your reading.

EV Window

Exposure Value or light Value

This number system is sometimes used to replace the traditional shutter speed and F-stop combinations and is used only with cameras equipped with an E.V.S. scale.

Sekonic Flashmate Digital Meters

Setting the Film Speed

Pressing down the ISO button, push up or down buttons to change setting.

Incident Light Measurement

For measuring ambient light, mount the lumisphere to swivel head. Switch the meter ON and point lumisphere to the camera from the position where subject is to be measured. Press measuring switch then measured value of F-stop or EV is displayed.
For measuring illumination contrast, mount the lumidisc and switch the meter ON. Point the lumidisc directly toward center of main light. Press measuring switch in EV mode and read-out the measured value. In the same manner, read the EV number of fill-in light. Difference between EV numbers of main and fill-in lights becomes contrast ratio.
For measuring luminance (Lux) set the ISO sensitivity to ISO 100 regardless of your film speed. Place the lumidisc parallel with the measured surface and read EV number in the same manner as for other measurements.

Reflected Light Measurement

Mount the lumigrid and switch the meter ON, then point the lumigrid directly toward part of subject to be measured. Measure reflected light from main point of subject as close as possible to the subject. Use adequate care in this case that the meter shadow does not interfere with the light to be measured.

Post Measurement Calculation

Calculation dependent upon change of film speed can be made by pressing either side of UP/DOWN key while depressing ISO selecting key.
Calculation dependent dupon change of shutter speed can be made by pressing either side UP/DOWN key only.
Conversion of measuring mode can be made by pressing F/EV selecting key.

Measuring Range

When measuring range is exceeded, F-stop or EV number will be replaced with E.o (error-over) or E.u (error-under) mark.

Measurement for Movie Camera


Tundra D3B Light Exposure Meter

Setting the Film Speed

Rotate the inner dial knob (16) until the speed (ISO or DIN) of your film appears opposite the reference mark in the appropriate window (13) or (14).

Selecting the Correct Sensitivity Range

To measure subjects illuminated by normal or bright light sources, push the change-over switch (8) and slide it to the middle position so that high light range scale (5) is seen in the window. Depress the operating button (9) and read the figure on the high light range scale. When metering dim or poorly illuminated scenes, the extra sensitive low light range scale (6) should be used. Push the change-over switch (8) and slide it to the top setting so that the low light range scale (6) is seen in the window.

Note that the white numbers in the window relate to the Low light range and the yellow numbers relate to the High light range.

Light Measurements

Reflected Light Measurement

Ensure that the white plastic diffuser (2) does not cover the CdS cell window (1). Point the meter towards the subject, tilting the meter sufficiently downwards, if used outdoors, to avoid measuring sky areas which would inflate the reading and cause underexposure.

Push the operating button (9) and hold it until you have noted the reading indicated by the pointer.

Once the number has been noted by the meter pointer, move the outer dial (15) so that the corresponding number around the edge of that dial is in line with the index mark (19). Any combination of shutter speed and aperture opposite each other on the dial will give the same correct exposure.

Incident Light Measurement

With this method the light that is falling on a subject is measured.

The color contrast or brightness of the subject itself does not influence the reading when using this method. This type of light measurement is especially recommended when the subject has excessive contrast.

Slide the white plastic diffuser (2) over the CdS cell window (1). Place the meter at the subject position and point the CdS cell towards the camera or light sources. Take the reading as explained in the previous section for reflected light measurements.

Exposure Value Settings

For cameras calibrated in exposure values (EV) readings can be directly made from the scale in the EV number window (17).