5 FAQ’s (and answers) about flash meters
If you shoot with flash you may well be aware that speedlights and (increasingly) studio strobes come in either manual or TTL versions. If you’re shooting weddings, events or any sort of running and gunning photography, TTL is brilliant but for me manual flash teamed with a flash meter is how I like to work in the studio.
If you’re thinking a flash meter might be what you need to improve the consistency of you shots or you already have a flash meter but aren’t sure on how to get started with it, then I’ve got you covered.
In the video above I cover the top 5 questions I hear from photographers and flash meters.
- Can’t I just use my camera’s meter?
- Do all flash meters work the same?
- How do I trigger the flash and the meter?
- Where do I point the meter?
- Do I really need one?
My flash meter of choice is the Sekonic L-308S Flashmate. It’s about as basic as a handheld meter can be but it’s super reliable and excellent value for money. More information can be found over at Adorama http://www.adorama.com/SKL308SN.html?KBID=67338
Dear Gavin! Thank you for the, as usual, wonderful video!!! I was just deciding to buy a Light meter, and thought: “It would be perfect if Gavin could do a Video about this subject…” and voilá: I found your video and I am so happy… I was like as if you read my thoughts!! :-)).
You explain things so clearly, and with big know-out, and in a very simpathetich way!!! Thank you for all this years of videos, and training, and 15min. challenges, and ideas and wonderful inspiration!!!! Christian
Gavin, in this video were you using the incidence or reflective option to txt the light?
Hello Gavin, I’m a great fan of yours. On your home studio photography, I noticed you have a default Grey (but it’s not a plain color, as it has some texture fill to it). Please how can I get or achieve such a backdrop myself – as I’m from Nigeria – but plan to setup a home studio. Thanks
This should held 🙂 https://www.gavtrain.com/?p=3824
I’ve just bought you’re Fearless Flash Photography – With Speedlights course.Absolute amazing you make it so easy to understand.Keep up the fantastic work.
Hi Gavin, greetings from the Netherlands. I have e a question. I bought the sekonic l308-s.
when I want to do a light reading with my sb910 flash of the sb800 I keep getting the same reading. I am using the su800 on my d810. Even when I adjust the light on the flashlight from full to very low the reading of the light meter keeps the same. It does work with the elinchrom studio lights. Here I do not use the su800 because it is not working with the elinchrom.
I was wondering if the falls reading is due to the pre flash of the Nikon sb910 or sb800.
If so what can I do about it?
Hi Sandra. Assuming the flash or SU800 are not set to TTL or Multi then it should work. I don’t have an easy answer but I’d start by pressing the test button (usually the red one) on the SB910 and see if the Sekonic meter works correctly.
The Sekonic 308s is a very low tech meter (which is good) it will only show you the power of the last flash it sees. Whilst it will meter preflash it’s immediately wiped away by main flash, so I don’t think it’s that.
You’ve kept it small and simple. Thanks for this useful tipps.
Greetings from Germany
kdkraemer