 BetterPhoto Member |
Light Meter Hi. My mother is an amateur photographer, and I was considering getting her a light meter for Christmas. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for one? She doesn't do anything fancy or serious. It's a hobby, not a profession, so I need something good, but within reason. Is there something that is like that? I was told about a brand called Sekonic, so do you have any other suggestions? Thanks for your help in advance.
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Andy |
This is just my opinion. If your mother is not really into photography and she does not seem to need one, then the handheld light meter is only a burden for her. I have one, and I seldom use it. The internal meter in the camera and a few exposure techniques are more than enough for most amateur photographers. Anyway, Sekonic is a very good brand (I also have the Sekonic). I recommend getting one with the digital readout (easier to read) and can measure flash output (you won't know when you'll need it). The Sekonic L-358 is a pretty good one at about $250. Another one I recommend is the Konica Minolta AutoMeter 5F for about $220. Hope this helps.
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Scott Pedersen |
A Gossen Pilot, but like above the internal meter is good enough, at least for print film. Soketimes on older cameras the internal meter doesnt work anymore and thats the fix for that problem.
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Tom Kwan |
I agree with Andy. No need to give your Mom an extra burden. I have several light meters, but ever since, I use the Nikon F5, F100 and D70. I don't use the meters any more, for their built-in meter is just as good as the handheld meter. I still use the flash meter for commercial portrait with Haselbald medium format camera in studio, and I don't see your Mom will go to this field. How about give her a 1:1 macro lens instead? That way she can take pictures of the tiny insects, small flowers, the eyes of your pets, etc. - that is a lot of fun.
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Michael McCullough |
You really might ask your Mom what she needs first. Good Luck!!!
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Alex Cabrall |
I'd have to agree with Michael: Ask her what she wants! If she "doesn't want anything", figure out what lens mount she uses and buy her another lens to play around with! The macro suggestion was good. Or, if she only has zooms, get her a 50mm f/1.8 (or f/1.4, but those are more expensive, though).
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Julie L. Erickson |
You could always do a gift basket with a couple of filters (if she doesn't have any) like a polarizer, a red filter and maybe one other, and get her a few rolls of film to play with like infra-red, 3200 black and white, slide film, and include a book which would talk about the use of these things. Maybe also a gift certificate for developing the film once she's done playing.
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Constance Reid |
HI Heather, As a "MOM" - I would love a light meter - Mom's love toys for Christmas too! Getting a new toy can add spark to your Mom's hobby. I am guessing that if you ask her what she wants like most Mom's she will say - oh,nothing - give her a nice surprise - tell her it is for all the toys she has bought you......
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