There's a huge difference between "I don't use a light meter" and "I no longer use a light meter having acquired the mental database of what light power does in X circumstance over the first half of my career"

So Karl, I understand why you don't use a light meter, but here are a couple of good reasons to use one. They are a good educational tool if you don't have years of experience. Also, it depends on type of photography you are concerned with. In cases like crime scene/forensic photography, it is important to show the scene/evidence as it exists. There should be no creativity, just accuracy. It's good to get that incident measurement. Really like your work and the channel.

As a corporate headshot photographer, that shoots almost exclusively on location, you won't catch me without my light meter. I work anywhere from offices with no windows and horrid fluorescent lights to ones with giant south facing windows. For this reason, other than 'environmental' shots, I always use aperture and shutter speed to kill the ambient and create my own light. Everything is done with strobes and the varying available light from job to job would mean guessing my starting flash output every time. A light meter lets me arrive at a clients office, set up everything by myself as they continue their day to day work and get my lights very close to where I need them quickly before having them step in front of the camera. Lawyers, probably 60% or more of my clients, don't like standing around while you to take 'test shots' and fiddle with lights. That's time they could be racking up billable hours. In my case a light meter is indeed faster, at least from my clients perspective.

There are people that shoot analog today (again! - Just for the fun and the cool look of film!) and they'll definitively need a light meter 😅

Totally agree and very good analogy with cooking food BUT ! You stopped using a lightmeter after 11 years of usage. You stopped using it after 11 years of great experience of how light reacts to changes and subjects. It gave you the opportunity to learn, feel and mould your light to your creativity. I still use a lightmeter in my academy classes because from experience it gives confidence to students and some sort of “control” on a set. Once I see that they get that confidence I start to learn them to get creative with the receipe. But I would never say “don’t use a lightmeter”. It is a very useful tool for learning and understanding. Great video and daring insight. 👍🏻

When I was a professional photographer back in the day I used a light meter and understood why I was using it. It never inhibited my creativity at all! Now many years later as an amateur photographer getting back into film I am definitely going to re-aquaint my self with the humble, old skool, light meter.

If you are shooting the same lighting set up at different locations and you want to create the exact same setup I believe a light meter will save you time.

Ive been an advertising photographer for 30 years now. I havent used a lightmeter since 2002 apart from specific situations. To get a pure white background I need a difference of 1.5 stops difference in exposure from the foreground to background light. This works for both fashion or tabletop shooting on perspex. For me the time of using a light meter in those 2 situations is faster than tethered shooting because I understand the ratio. However thats an infrequent situation and I can do those without a light meter if I have to.

I totally agree with Karl's comments here, however as a newbie I am using a meter as a learning tool. I use it to measure flash ratios to put in my notes. My strobes are not digital and it can be difficult to dial in a desired ratio accurately. Over time I imagine I will develop the skills, but for now it's a valuable asset to accelerate my understanding. For example, I will set the strobes by eye with test shots, then measure the ratio and put that value in my notebook for future reference.

Hi Karl, as one who uses a light meter, I watched this with some interest. I found myself agreeing with what you said in a number of areas, like accuracy and to some extent, repeatability. When I was learning to shoot, I was taught to do basic lighting setups - i.e.: understanding lighting ratios - without looking at a monitor or even through the viewfinder. The reason was that if I could learn to do at least a basic setup by eye, it would save time and all I would need was a single exposure reading. I never used Polaroids and perhaps in the same way as you view light meters, I never understood why others did, even with sheet film. However, while this was simple enough in a studio, it was a different matter outdoors, where repeatability is often a matter of luck. In those cases, even in the digital world, having a light meter is an advantage. In studio, if you’re using a complex system like Profoto, adjusting flash power reliably to one tenth of a stop and checking it on screen is a simple, if expensive, way to do it. Not everyone can do that. Constantly checking the monitor is what I was taught not to do. You have far more control than you do outdoors. I’m not in anyway criticising your work methods or making any claim that what I do is better. You’re a professional and I’m retired and haven’t shot professionally for seven years. Your requirements and your workflow are different from mine. I never had your level of studio setup either. But I find that using a light meter, even in the digital world, still has some value. I also do a lot of low light photography where the viewfinder of a modern mirrorless camera is almost useless. A light meter, especially a spot meter, can be very helpful here for establishing black points, etc.. Yes, you can do it with a test shot, no question. I just prefer the meter process (and no one can see me doing it in the dark anyway!😁).

Respectable, I only buy the creativity part, I think the light meter it´s just one part of all the technology we have, and as every of those elements, we need to use it to help our process and not to limit the creativity for not to having one.

The light meter does not limit your creativity in any way. And it’s a must if you shooting film. Metering incident light gives you better consistency.

I meter and shoot tethered. Honestly I’m just to the point where I’m tired of taking test shots....with the meter I can get my exposure in 1-2 shots..looking all in the in the computer screen is bla bla bla. As much as I love lighting I’m finding myself wanting to focus less on it and turn my attention to the execution of the concept and the model emotion. I also pre light so there’s that too. Overall y’all I say keep metering and get the lighting part over with.

A light meter is just a tool. It doesn't limit your creativity. You do. I find light meters speed up the process during set-up and helps guarantee accuracy of light output before the camera is set. Professional photographers and assistants constantly use it on set. Yes, a good digital monitor with tethering helps but if you're doing multiple set ups/changes, a light meter helps drastically to save time. Also, light meters should be recommended to aspiring photographers to help them understand light and how to use it.

As a sports/outdoor wear photographer. I don't have the false color or anything can check my images on my camera LCD in a field. And you can try watch the screen on 3000 meter altitude with a clear sky above your head. Let's see how good you are to get the light ratio right. I really really hope camera company gives me a false color check in EVF, so I could seal my light meter for good.

Definitely thought you were talking about not using one with film. Guess I'll still be using one

So you traded your light meter for a tether and a larger screen to meter your image 😝

I had been getting along without a light meter but had recently been convinced that it was a good practice. Thanks for the alternative viewpoint. You just saved me several hundred dollars!

Totally agree. Sold mine when I realized one day that I hadn't used it in years. However, wish I had it some times when I am trying to teach lighting. Just a good way to show the relationship between different lights.

Truly agreed and appreciated. The spontaneity and instinct works great for me and being so calculative hits this free flowing process for me. Understanding and Observing together what goes with me to explore my creativity. Thanks for this video.✌️❤️

Well I think it depends on what type of photography you focusing on, not all photography is about creativity, such as forensics photography, and I would still use a light meter if I am photographing a 10 by 10 foot art painting for catalogs, so I m sure every parts of it are evenly lit to show it’s true tone, fine retouching or color enhancement is not the requirement for such work. And light meter reading is just a reference, it shouldn’t stop you and make any photography not to be creative, for example, with good use of a meter you can get a good idea what the reflected and incident light ratio which could help out some location shoot for beginners. And the only reason why good and experiences photographers don’t need a light meter are because they have years of experience, they know instantly what they are after, they can even tell what the exposure is the moment they arrived on a outdoor location, which isn’t something a beginner can do.

In a controlled studio with a static subject... and time I have to agree, but a light meter can be invaluable if you are proficient using one analytically and in a hurry. As a teaching/ learning tool, they can answer many questions. regardless, your tutorials are over the top, informative and beyond inspirational! Cheers

Thanks so much for this one Karl. Your presentations overall are more than helpful, but when you touch on points like this it lets me know I'm on the right track.

I'm not born speaker and I really love Your pure English. Understable English which You have during explainig of photography issues and topics. Thank You so much for You work what You do for other peoples to better understanding of photography.

Good if you can afford that gear! Good points, however Light meter is a good starting point. You are coming from many years of experience. All coming through tethered capture. Your point is valid. I use a light meter, doesn't stop my creativity. It's a starting point before a client arrives, once set up then flavour the lighting by adjusting up or down or even move the light and modifier. Using strobes and trigger system that talks to each other you can adjust from camera Position. Good points you made though.

I'm glad you mentioned that what you prefer to do is based on your personal opinion and years of experience in photography.

As an landscape photographer and working with slide film I mostly use incident light metering. Light conditions change sometimes very quickly. So I get more constant and color correct slides with my Gossen light meters. Some create photos, some calculate them digital and some used trial and error... everyone as he could.

When I transitioned from film to digital, around 2004, I also quickly stopped using a light meter. Fast forward to just a few years ago when I found out there was a light meter that also can control my monolights wirelessly I was intrigued. It's now very handy to adjust power for each individual head directly from my light meter. I don't consider myself dependent on it, I know what exposure I want for a particular situation it just helps me adjust my lights quicker.

All this talk about CREATIVITY, PROBLEM SOLVING, VISUAL ARTS has me thinking that Photographers are starting to think like designers... Keep up the good work

Fantastic! I started watching this with skepticism and fully agree with all your reasons... TY

For Film cameras without meters I need a meter . With my mirrorless I don’t need an external meter.. it’s that simple. I can more or less guess the setting and be in the right range . I can fine tune rapidly without taking a shot. Digital has given me time to be creative.. my film stuff is because I enjoy the gear.

Thank you for your insight Karl. Your videos are always so informative and helpful. And, your work is amazing!! Thanks for sharing!!

I think Karl Taylor is a brilliant and articulate photographer. Granted in today’s digital photography world one really doesn’t need a light meter especially in the studio. However I can’t agree with the principles outlined in this lecture as it applies to landscape photography. This is especially true when photographing in the golden hour. In this circumstance I find a 1 degree spot meter very useful. Required no helpful absolutely.

My teacher has been a photographer since the 1970s and he uses a light meter for our classes. It helps a lot for both film and digital photography. Currently, I own a Sekonic light meter for my photoshoots and it helped me a great deal in ambient outdoor lighting when I am shooting with my Nikon film camera. I was able to nail the shot with and without my Nikon Speedlight.

I have a light meter but I don't use it all the time. I will say though that using a properly calibrated meter lets me get the best quality out of my camera. I also don't trust the back of my camera and I don't always have access to my computer screen (nor do I want to view during a shoot). I will say you are right though hinting that most people that do have a meter have no idea how to properly use it (I am still learning). A lot of photographers don't use or understand the zone system so have no idea what their meter is doing and what the actual numbers are.

Welcome back, Karl! Not entirely sure if you were quiet for a while or I was too busy being a photographer but when I was starting off I bought a few of your tutorials and some of the lessons learnt, I still use today. Cheers buddy

Already having a light meter, I still use it on occasion. If I didn't have one now that i have a digital camera, I doubt I would get one. You have to learn how to use one based off of what you get from it just the same as being tethered or using the screen. The way that you can look at the monitor or screen and conclude that you need to make whatever adjustments to the lighting you can do the same with a light meter. Measure the light, and based off of what you get, if you want to darken things for a certain mood, you can know what adjustments need to be made to get there. This was a topic for thought and discussion providing one side of it. With digital, you are not behind or lacking if you don't have a light meter. And you are not obsolete, pretentious, or outside of the loop on anything if you do use one. Gavin Hooey still likes to use a meter.

Internet should be thankful for this video

Well explained. Those with mirrorless cameras can get in the ballpark with iTTL, check their RGB histograms and then concentrate on the creative aspects you spoke of. Your creative process likely began well before the shoot, and so should ours.

So this only really applies to tethered photography in a studio. I wouldn’t work on any film or TV set without a light meter. There’s this thing call pre lighting where you don’t have the camera there or it’s doing something else and so having a light meter is key. And most of the light meters now are also spectrometers which are incredibly useful in variable conditions.

I only use manual focus lenses because the autofocus is killing my creativity. Just kidding. 70% of my work is taking photos of people. I like to have my light set before the model enters the scene. So to set the light without having someone to take a test shot a light meter is necessary. I also need it to set the light ratios that I like. And it’s very helpful to balance ambient light and strobes. I would say in all cases where you need the lights to be set before the model enters the scene you need a light meter. I think it’s too much trial and error just checking the screen.

Agreed , usually only takes a few test shots and I only seem to be getting better at dialing in the light quicker. Keep practicing and it becomes second nature.

I resonate with what his analysis. I'm always playing with the light in images, and deciding if I take the exposure down a stop or 2. I rarely would use a light metre..I love fine art cinematic lighting..

Inspiring line of thought, much appreciated.

I really like zone-system metering with a spot meter on location to get a good idea of what I wanna do creatively with my highlights within a limited span of time. it's really useful for shooting fleeting expressions of urban life and other incidental situations that don't get a chance to repeat themselves. some scenes might call for full latitude, others depend upon flattening or boldening dynamic range to really nail a mood.

bro, this is a great video. i really appreciate your insight on this. gonna refer my light meter sticklers to this video.

I arrived at your conclusions over 40 years ago, while still using film. Knowledge and experience with the film type, and an understanding of light, informed my exposure choices.

Brilliant! I think this argument holds up well with photographers relying just on the light meters exposure within the camera too. There's Manual mode....... and there's Manual mode.

Very well put together .... Bravo !!!

I love it Karl, tell it like it is, 100% agree with your thinking. You don't need a light meter, but I feel to be a better photographer it's very important to take an interest in understanding light💡⚡

Great video, I was considering buying one as I take more portraits with flash now, but I realise that taking 5-6 test shots with my blinkies turned on does the same thing for free.

Interesting thoughts, I am pretty much a newbie to photography and am trying to learn. I caught up with some more experienced photographers over the weekend, where we used strobes. They all used light metres. I understand Karl's reasoning, and I assume, with experience the use of a metre while using a strobe will become more or less redundant. At least I hope so.

I’m getting back into doing some film photography, so I’m about to get a light meter. Not giving up digital, but adding in some film for fun.

Digital cameras still have metering display for ambient light. I don't fell myself less creative using it. But I appreciate your point of view.

It all depends whether you are a slave to the meter or it is just another tool that you have mastery of IMHO

There are a few of us still shooting analog you know. ;-)

You know I didn’t use a light meter until a photographer that I really revere, sings the gospel about light meters so I returned to it. I shoot in very much the way that you do Karl, intuitively. And exactly what you said, I feel is what hinders me. I now refer to the light meter as the rule for which to shoot by and it conflicts with how I naturally work. (The photographer I mentioned shoots film a lot so there’s that) So now I am not going to go back to not using it which excites me. I think using it gave me more anxiety. Thank you so much for this video

I don’t use light meter anymore either...yet when I did it was a ‘ballpark’ device...I’d maybe check the balance on two speedlights or ambient on a composition then put it away and let the eye and mind carry on with the creativity....if using the light meter it doesn’t have to tie you down.

I never used light meter right from the film days. In those days, for ambient light photography, I depended on camera metering mostly using average metering. For flash mounted on top of camera, I learned the flash guide number GN, ASA, aperture, flash syn shutter speed (slower 1/30s to capture the environment mood), the subject distance, and finally the subject's reflectance, in particular light or dark skin tones by actual shootings. Sometimes I used flash's auto aperture depending on the circumstances. It was slow and costly then to learn. The same applies to fill flash, 1/2 to 1/16 power when shooting outdoors. Fast forward to digital photography today, it's so much easier, faster to see the results instantly and then make adjustments for correct exposure. It's day and night difference. For my style of photography - street, travel, sports and action, the light meter has never been and will not be in my mind.

I definitely agree that you don’t need to use light meter to setup lights and you should use your eye to judge. But if you are professional photographer and use extremely precise lighting you still need one handy to check the lights and different modifiers such as acrylic panels and also check the output of the packs. This is necessary for repeatability. I am shooting a lot of make up products and I use it during color match process. For me even more important tool is spectrometer.

That's why a pro is called a pro. Not because he has some fancy equipment but because he gives good advice that he himself follows. Hat's off.

Tengo un Sekonic y nunca lo utilizo. Solo cuando dicto clases de fotografía para explicar cómo medíamos la luz en la era análoga. Gracias Karl.

Ages ago I bought a hand meter because I was talked into believing that without it I would not be able to tackle the technique of photography. Now I hardly ever use it. At best it can accomplish 2% of what is needed in a photograph. This is the approximate technical settings of a photograph. Now comes the other 98%, That is the artistic aspect needed the do the final finish on the photograph. In the end it’s the art that makes the photo.

A lot of this relies on tethering, this only works if you are in a situation where tethering is feasible. If you are doing a portrait shoot with someone out in a woodland area or something like that shooting tethered may not really be an option if you don't have a place to set up a laptop or computer to connect your camera to and tether. A handheld light meter in those cases is a much more fesible option that trying to tether and evaluate rgb values. Obviously in a situation where you can set up tethering using the tethering functions to evaluate is better but if you are someone who shoots on location a lot the light meter may still be the better option. Tethering is also extra gear to carry around. If you are doing an outdoor shoot and you have to hike out half a mile or a mile from your car to your shoot spot then carrying all the extra gear you need to tether is much more cumbersome than carrying a light meter. If you are shooting in your own studio or in a location where you can set up a shoot space that has the room to set up a tether desk or table then I think your system would work great.

Since the Minolta IIIF almost 40 years ago, they are highly useful for many situations where you use....film....and are unable to preview the shot. In addition complex lighting setups. Including, you must have an understanding of high-key and low-key subject matter along with perceived/needed scene brightness range. I don't do that kind of thing anymore and thus have no need for them.

After 35 years of shooting professionally I can confidently say that in 95% of all situations I can get my exposure correct without using either a lightmeter, or the LCD screen on the back of my camera. I definitely don't need to use RGB values when tethered shooting. Learning to assess light, by studying where shadows fall, understanding how surfaces reflect and absorb light and also understanding how both film and digital sensors work comes with years of practice and learning. Just because I don't need one, doesn't mean I don't use one. I keep my Sekonic meter with me whenever I go on a shoot. I wouldn't have been able to learn how to assess light as well as I can without it all those years ago and I will continue to use it to help me make the right technical decisions to achieve the creative decision. The creative decision I chose to make, BEFORE I took the meter out of my bag. I use my meter in exactly the same way you use your RGB values when tethered shooting. Stop being so pompous, if you want get a point across demonstrate the pros and cons, and prove a point.

How can I use the RGB values in LR/CO to get correct exposure for skin for headshots? How far away from pure white should my highlights be on the skin? In studio, I tend to underexpose and find myself bringing up my exposure in post sometimes more than I want to. I’m looking for a relatively measurable way to get more consistent results. Is this basically what a light meter does? If so, there should be a way to measure this on a monitor without the meter. Thanks for all comments.

Very interesting food for thought karl. What about reflective and incident metering? How do we do a incident metering without a light meter?

What about difference between source light meassure and reflected light meassure? I thought that light meter is essential as baseline for source light meassure as Your camera creativity plays only with reflected light. But... I might be wrong. Or?

IMO the difference between a pro and an average photographer is that the pro can adapt and adjust accordingly under various circumstances. I personally think it is important to not use a meter when starting out.

I had a top of the line Sekonic L-858 for a year. Used it on 3 shoots, 1 digital and 2 on film. The film effort was temporary and for digital I much prefer just eyeballing it for speed. I know how each of my cameras behave with shadows and highlights and ETTL/ETTR accordingly. Haven’t missed the Sekonic since I sold it.

If the values a light meter gives away takes away "one's ability to make decisions based purely on the emotional reaction," then certainly the RGB values you pulled up on the screen would do the same. You seem to be contradicting yourself.

I only really started to rely on a light meter when I moved to digital. Interesting comparison.

Totally agree that creativity is the answer on how you want your lighting to be (not depending on light meters). Will the image be high key or low key? will you have localized lighting enhancements to draw viewer in to the main focus area of the image, as brighter areas of the image will draw in the viewers eye. With multiple strobes, setting them at different power levels to emphasize areas with main light and secondary areas with fill light or spot light grids for emphasis. It is complex, and with checking on screen or by tethered monitor, decisions can be made quickly to save time in post production. Another great photographer Joel Grimes, uses light to lead the viewer through the image to the main focal area, by enhancing/brightening areas and darkening others areas (usually adding some dodge and burn in post), but getting the lighting close first, in setting up multiple lights at different outputs and clicking test photos. I also stopped using light meters in early 2000s with digital. Great video topic Karl.

Very compelling arguments presented in an engaging, concise and enlightening manner. You have a new subscriber.

Does this advice hold for 4x5 or 10x8 landscape photographers in 2023. I think slowness is an important part of the process

How to use mediumformat film and flashlighting without lightmeter?

An interesting take. My niche is film photography. Obviously film photographers before light meters were invented had to use other methods. Subby 16 works great for outdoor daytime but I got to wondering what they did for night photography. Any tips or pointers to literature on that subject?

It's been years now that I calculate myself exposure using intuition for my analog photography: 250 f/11 in the sun -4 stops in the shadows, when cloudy : -1 to -4 depending on the clouds. -6 to -8 under canopy, and so on... I can't say I miss some exposures, but I get many right. Sometimes I can't understand photographers spending minutes metering in changing light conditions just to settle on a -2 to get more shadow detail. Often times I know that already while driving by. That said artificial light and studio is another story. As is night photography. But I have a lot of fun trying to calculate by myself before getting my Lunalite to check if my guesswork was right or not. I think beginners would gain a lot by making themselves a table of their usual lighting conditions and the corresponding exposures values at their preferred iso rating, and test it out in the field.

I don't agree. In my case i get my exposure simply in one shot. First all I meter the key light; highlights and contrast and after i will shot tethered to calibrated screen but when im shottin in outdoor and I cannot control or I'm not sure about the brightness of the screen, here the light meter becomes the perfect tool and Friend.

Hi Karl, unrelated question but what is your view on Tilt & Shift lenses for product photography? I do not recall you ever mentioning them in the videos I have watched. Given that a 90mm F2.8L Canon TS-E lens is more than double the cost of the Canon 100mm F2.8L Macro lens, I wonder if the benefit is worth the investment? Cheers.

Thanks for confirming my bias - I never used light meters except for the one built into my camera. Actually I have never seen a fellow photographer using one either. They were essential in the analogue days but the need for them is gone with technological advancement.

Im old school and lived with a meter, using dome, flat disk, and spot attachment. When shooting in studio, I use it just to get a base f/stop and from there, Im shooting and looking at what I need to add for accent, dimension and detail where needed. I understand the point made here. Back in the day it was very much needed, but so much less today. For new photogs, learn it and when you feel comfortable not using it, you will know it by what you are capturing. I have three, and it is just part of my tools.

Hi Karl, I'm an ameture photographer who mainly shoots medium format black and white film. I've recently purchased a sekonic 308 light meter to try and learn more about contrast in my shots. Is this something that would only be possible with an applicable light meter, or is there a way I can assess my environment to get an idea of how it will translate into shots. I try to keep test shots to a minimal as not to burn through my film. Great video btw.

thanks Karl for your inputs. I agree with you. i was just a bit surprised to see you use your Minolta flash meter throughout your video LED Photography Lights v Studio Flash: Which Is REALLY Better? 😂

Good stuff. I have had this very convo with photog friends who live & die by their light meter.

I’d agree with this, my digital camera meters really well and I never use a light meter. I only use one with film cameras without meters or with meters which have gone a bit away with the fairies...

very good video and informative.. I have to admit that I had a preconceived notion prior to watching this video but at the end he is correct.. Saving time and being efficient is also important and I have to agree with that..

can you recommend an app to measure light stops? I am a filmmaker and looking for an option to break down some film shots.

I agree with the premise of this video but I still occasionally use a light meter at wedding receptions. A meter can be helpful when the subject isn't in place so there's nothing to test shoot. I often have to setup for a first dance or speech before there's anyone there to test shoot. Being able to go out on the floor myself and set my lights "in the ball park" without the aid of another person to stand there has been helpful. In the end, it usually takes me several shots of the real thing to tweak the lights by appearance and disregarding what the meter originally said.

I'm just trying to are a picture of a painting I've done to make prints. I plan on taking pictures from my paintings from here on, so this is great help. I do not own a camera right now, except what I have in my smart phone for now. I know this must sound ridiculous but you have to stat somewhere.

Have never used a light meter. And I agree with you, Karl, it slows you down. Especially if you shoot outdoor and the client is paying big bucks for the result. Best regards from Mother Russia

Thanks most of all for not making us struggle to delineate your voice over the top of some asinine 3-chord music loop. Having someone respect us enough to say what they have to say without thinking that we have to be coddled to maintain our focus is refreshing. I must say however, that using any tool for eleven years would probably allow you to proceed without the instruction manual, but newbies like me need all of instruction we can get.

Karl, I’ve been a fan of your work for a while now. I know why you made this video so I won’t take the bait 😂. It would be cool to see a video from you on E6. I’m planning to do some large format studio shoots with flash on E6 once things blow over. I’ve done it successfully in the past but it never hurts to see another method.

I am not a professional photographer but do it as a hobby. I don't use a light metre. Not because of any reason but simply because I can't afford a light metre. So does everything on trial and error basis; taking test shots after test shots and go for the one that please my eyes. Thanks for the insightful video.

Hi Karl. Well, I certainly agree with the majority of your points about "not" using a light meter for digital creative photography. However, having started in film several decades ago, with influence of Master Ansel Adams and the Zone System, and first using a Sekonic, then a Gossen Sixtomat F2, I found it a bit hard to leave the meter completely, even when going digital. But I certainly agree that the precision of measurement in the digital world is orders of magnitude higher than back in the analog/film days. So, I can see your reasoning. Thanks, and BTW, your image are superb!

There is one really good reason to learn how use a light meter, and that is it teaches you about the relationship between, ISO, shutter speed and aperture. Sure I do what Karl does, I look at the monitor and make my adjustments according to what I see. Give me a manual film camera and light meter and I am able to use it. With my modern DLSR, I use all three modes, shutter priority for fast moving objects, aperture when I want to control depth of field and manual when I want to control it all. I don't particularly like auto focus and I would much prefer for my viewfinder to have the old fashion split prism.

Thanks Karl. I still use film, and while I have been shooting for 35 years as a hobby photographer, I set up my studio some 7 years ago and obviously I have got a digital camera and was wondering whether you need a light meter for bw shots if you can test it first with a digital camera. And there was this bloke on KZfaq whom I asked what he thought whether it was worth it to get a light meter if I test it digital first and he said, yes you should get one, you “don’t mix the media”. You can guess what I do. I test it digital first and then go for film. Maybe it would be different if I was shooting colour on film, but that I don’t do anyway. My point is that nowadays, you don’t need a light meter even for film in my humble opinion.

Karl, just out of curiosity: Do you still own the old Sinar or your RZ67? And if so, do you still take them for a spin every now and then? Personally I have rarely ever used a light meter in conjunction with digital. The preview, histogram and the good old Mk1 Eyeball are enough for me here. For those times I shoot film, though, I usually have either a Sekonic 308 or a Gossen Spotmaster on me. I‘ve also used a DSLR as a sort of „stand-in“ for polaroid test shots when shooting film, but I found that to be just too much of a hassle, given that I am not even doing this for pay and just for a bit of fun.