The Ultimate Guide to Light Meters for Cinematography
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- Опубликовано: 6 дек 2018
- Find full-length BTS on Patreon:
/ machadovisuals
The long-awaited light meter video is here! It's DENSE with tons of info; once you start to understand a concept, re-watch it again. Then 3 times more. I basically rolled up 1.5 of my college cinematography courses in 18 minutes. It's a lot of info.
I believe this is one of the most in-depth videos on light metering on RUclips. I've always been frustrated with the lack of available resources for aspiring visual storytellers (specifically cinematographers) in regards to light metering, so I grabbed a bunch of friends and we made our own. There are plenty of light meter photography videos, but none that cover the vast expanse that is filmmaking. Exposure is so much more than taking a peek at the waveform and checking false color; it's about understanding how using light can supplement your story.
In this guide, I'll walk through 5 different ways I utilize my light meter on set including incident metering, spot metering, exposure compensation, ISO 1/2, and ∆ EV.
Check out each individual scene here: • The Ultimate Guide to ...
If you have questions, drop them in the comments below. I'm happy to clarify all the technical mumbo-jumbo from the video.
How to read a waveform:
KINETEK: • Tutorial on Cinematogr...
KY Productions: • Explained! - How to Re...
Other great light meter videos:
A Tale of Two Meters: • Film School with Mark ...
Arthur Woo - Do you need a light meter for video? • Do you need a light me...
Features of the newer L-858: • NAB 2017: The New Seko...
Using a Light Meter: • Meet The Gaffer #28: ...
Win a Sekonic L-858 Speedmaster
Giveaway details: bit.ly/2rl0YuX
HUGE THANKS TO MY AWESOME CAST/CREW
B camera: Jeremy Le
C camera: George Mentchoukov
AC: Fausto Darquea
AC: Tyler Stefanelli
Stills: Mike Paragas
Grip: Blake Gilmore
Grip: Shane-Mark Gallo
Audio: Q
Model: Savanah Joeckel
Model: Danny Shepherd
Gear used in this video:
Sekonic L-858 (Light Meter): amzn.to/2Bp5BtR
ColorChecker Video (Color chip/grayscale): bhpho.to/2FFfWWp
Camera
Sony FS7 (A, B, C camera): bhpho.to/2FDOsAA
a7R III (D camera): bhpho.to/2FPV4vE
128GB XQD (FS7 media): bhpho.to/2FH4Lg9
Metabones Speedbooster (Lens adapter): bhpho.to/2FDrA4o
FS7 Extension Unit (Timecode Generator): bhpho.to/2FH3rdb
Tentacle Sync E (Timecode Generator): bhpho.to/2FIgGKx
Wooden Camera UMB-1 (Matte box): bhpho.to/2FHOlEa
Schneider RHOdiums (ND .3-2.1): bhpho.to/2FHth0r
HyperCore 150 Gold Mount (camera batteries): bhpho.to/2FFf2t3
Miller CX8 (tripod): bhpho.to/2FHb6rY
Inovativ Scout 42 (camera cart): bhpho.to/2FBfB7c
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Modifier: amzn.to/3mVGqJl
Check out my LUT pack here:
www.machadovisuals.com/luts
My Favorite Variable ND for 4x5 matte boxes:
www.revarcine.com/?ref=kCv9ig...
(use code 'ISTHATARED' for 20% off)
My favorite on-set comms: amzn.to/3uFy2hf
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Man, it's too bad that the gimmicky channels have 100K+ subs and channels like these which teach a real education have so much less. This is invaluable, thank you, and keep up the good work. 10/10 would recommend this video.
Wow, you've offered so much value on your channel Robert. I'm at the point now that I've started shooting more commercial projects (recently went from an a7s11 and a6500 up to the new Fs5 with raw, shooting pro res and slog 3 and using false colour and waveforms all the time now, just need to dial in my light metering game, and you've helped bigtime....so thanks man!
This is seriously one of the most in depth videos for light comprehension. You went above and beyond in every facet of the tutorial
Dude was 100% worth staying up till 5am for the premier :') Always strayed away from lightmeters because of the amount of run & gun doco stuff I shoot (and probably some intimidation factor..) but seeing the way you practically used spot metering & you were actually able to measure out your contrast ratio so quickly and precisely was awesome!! Insane that watching this gave me more confidence than my entire uni degree to actually add a meter to my kit and use it, but 100% will be!
Thank you, this is so helpful! Literally, this is the only comprehensive tut on RUclips for metering video/cinematography. My biggest takeaway is using the speedbooster to calibrate or match your meter to your camera's native ISO and gamma curve. I use the spot meter along with the zone system to fine tune skin tones and I use the incident to light the set or to evenly light a green screen.
My biggest takeaway is from how you described using the meter to quickly and effectively calculate contrast ratios on set. This eliminates any guess work and stops people from telling you how to do your job while they are looking at the monitor. Thank you!
Wow man, I absolutely loved watching this video. Can't remember the last time I wanted to re-watch an entire 18 minute video! Keep it up 'Chado!
This is probably one of the most useful videos about lighting and metering I've found yet. Thanks for explaining everything so well!
Still one the most useful videos I come back every so often when I need to refresh myself on how to lightmeter correctly. Thanks Rob!
This series of videos of how to use light-meter for video is a lifesaver for cinematography students like me.Very detailed information ...thanks a lot for investing your time to clarify the doubts !
For the longest time I had a vague idea of how contrast ratios worked but you did such an awesome job of making it crystal. Thank you so much for this valuable content for those of us learning this craft.
Such a great tutorial Robert! Thanks for taking the time to put this one together, there was a wealth of information in there that will get me using my light meter more.
This is the best filmmaking tutorial I have seen on RUclips in a looooong time.
Thanks, dude!
If we quantified the value that this video offers in f-stops this video would be six stops higher than the majority of other videos on RUclips, it is sixty four times brighter, meaning it offers a great amount of information.
In all seriousness, after re-watching the video many times I would say that my biggest takeaway is that only using the built in spot meter in the camera in a controlled environment is not the way to go. Instead, I learned that one should use a light meter in one of its different functions depending on the situation.
Additionally now I know that I should calibrate my light meter to my cameras meter when I get my hands on one.
I would use the spot meter function since ur measures how much light is reflecting of an object and tries to bring it to eighteen percent gray. In my case if I was using my C100 I would take a reading to find if everything in my frame lies within the dynamic range of my camera. Additionally I would use the light meter to make sure I am properly exposing the gama curve of the C100, clog. Meaning in my waveform monitor I am at thirty four IRE.
I am currently studying at Television and Video Production at BCIT. Prior to this program my I have primarily shot events, weddings and other events were many would say that using a light meter would be unpractical and inappropriate. However, in this program I have been shooting in much more controlled environments.
My next term is just around the corner as the DP of my group for the upcoming school projects such as a Commercial and PSA and individual projects such as a music video and a short documentary, this light meter would come in handy.
Additionally it would make a great present for my 17th birthday.
Thank you so much for taking the time to putting this together to help us level up Rob!
We're all about to level up. Thanks Rob and team
The way I plan on using the Sekonic l-858 is ISO 1/2 on how to use it to match exposure of 2 different cameras. Shooting 2 camera interviews is always a chore not only setting proper white balance but also exposure. It just got 1000 times easier. Thank you Robert.
dude this tutorial is amazing. So well done!
Thanks so much for making this video! It's by far the best guide I've ever seen on using meters (much better than my classes at school...). Now that I'm learning more how to control light, getting a meter of this calibre would be a huge help in getting repeatable results on my sets.
"Light meters will give you consistent and repeatable results." That's a KEY lesson to know. Lmao. Great guide dude. Reminds me of learning all this stuff in Cinematography. You explained things thoroughly to get anyone started on metering.
This video is so helpfull, as a strarting cinematographer/filmmaker i was doubting if i need a spotmeter on my lightmeter (right now have the basic one), and now i know for sure. It's so hard to find examples of lightmetering. Thanks so much!
I think it biggest takeaway is just how important it can be to have repeatable and consistent exposures. Not only does it help ensure you get the highest quality image, but it potentially saves time in post correcting inconsistencies. Definitely going to look into getting one as I do studio/interview jobs more often these days.
Hate to admit it, but contrast ratio was actually an entirely new concept to me that I will now run away with and begin being more aware of right away! Thank you so much for your educational videos, Robert. I appreciate your approach. Knowledge is power!
Rob, it's Priscilla - I'm so stoked for this!!! Literally going to make some popcorn and watch this on repeat on my couch
Dude...you're killing the game. I've loved watching your reviews and tutorials. Really enjoyed finally hearing a good explanation on light ratios...I'd love to be able to use a light meter to dial in exposure without having to just guess from the monitor. Keep up the awesome work!
Thanks Brad!! FHNSAB :)
Thank you so much for doing this, Robert! You are a man of his craft!
I'm loving the video, Robert. Great content. I've been such a fan of lighting and what it does for cinematography. What I've learned from your video is how essential a light meter is to making and re-making recipes of light. You don't know do that any other way but through a light meter. A few years ago I bought an analog sekonic light meter to help me learn these principles, but I want to step it up a notch to be even more precise and intentional with my lighting. If I received the Sekonic 858, I would incorporate metering for all my sets and lighting/camera tests! Unleash that potential!
This was great. Love the two seconds for each crew member. You deserve wayyyyy more subs.
This was a super helpful video. I studied TV/Media in college so we didn't get any of this training. Since I want to go into more commercial and narrative filmmaking, having a light meter would be perfect for learning how to light professional sets with more intention.
Thank you so much man for this incredible video! My cinematography game is about to increase significantly. I really love spot metering feature a feel like I would use that a lot on set.
You know I just subd! This info was so valuable!!!! I’ve been debating on getting a light meter because of the lack of consistency when I get back home and start working in post. I think it’d be slightly less of a problem if I was able to grade and work with a beefier codec but working with slog and 100Mbps out of my Sony demands that I get it right in the field. The biggest thing I learned is how f stops are used to make creative decisions with a light meter and that I don’t have to always expose properly! That freed me so much! Thank you for this video!!! I know I missed the contest but this was so helpful.
Oh man, awesome job, hope you grow, you should have a lot more subscribers ❤️
Immediately subscribed after watching this. This is the most valuable video I’ve seen. Been working video full time 3 years now, I’m editing and getting more into shooting now and this is amazing. Please share more videos like this, no one else is making them and they are incredibly valuable!!! Thank you... instant subscriber.
Glad it was valuable for you!
this video was hella dense. so much good information in a short span of time -- will definitely be giving you more than a few views on it as i unpack all of its juicy bits.
This video taken away my fear of using a light meter. Robert, you demystified the whole process for me with this video. Thank you so much for that. I know that by applying what you showed us here my image is going to improve. I can't wait to use it and apply all the things you showed us here. I wanted to create the similar lighting setups of the images I collected for my look book. Now I can analyze those images and recreate my version of them for an appropriate story. A light meter will be invaluable for that. I would like to shoot more narrative projects and this tool will be very useful for me as I believe it will help me a great deal to improve my images.
Just found this video and it is the best I have seen on metering. Well done and thanks.
I think the best part of this video was making sure that we start with the creative decision of aperature and painting light around that with the help of a light meter vs just nailing exposure and working around that. I’d use this bad boy to help me get perfect exposure between two cameras with different native ISO’s. It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past and currently use false colors to get it “right” but I can see how a light meter will perfectly quantify the light to help dial in the settings.
This was really informative but in a fun and real world environment. I think I will use the light meter for balancing the ratio between my key and fill lights. I thought that was the best part of the video as well. Contrast in a shot really adds emotion and I'm so excited about creating more emotion in my films. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. I felt, and I mean this in a great way, that I went to a film school class on light metering. Great teaching skills!
This is really awesome and valuable info, thanks for sharing!!
Excellent video! Thorough yet concise explanations. Greatly appreciated!
I probably have mentioned it on another video, but if I did not, this channel is awesome.
My biggest takeaway was learning about contrast ratios. I use old minolta autometer iv and I miss the spot meter in it. But with him I began to get a more stable result in video and photo.
I'm a self taught videographer in NYC. So, I never had any formal education on how to use tools like light meters. I was going to purchase one just for the sake of having one because I saw a lot of other cinematographers have one but that would've been a waste of money. Now, after watching this video, I gained enough knowledge and understand how light meters could change the game for me. Thanks! I hope to win this and use it in my next short film.
Epic video man! I have yet to dive into the light meter world. If I had one, I’d definitely use it to do way more lighting setups with dynamic contrast ratios. I’ve used the Luma for checking color temperature, but that’s it really.
Awesome content bro! I’ve never used a light meter but I want to always improve my work and might just grab one because of your video! Keep it up!
Excellent lighting episodes! Would love to see more of these!
My new favourite channel. You are raising RUclips’s game.
THIS IS AMAZING. Seriously, thank you so much for making this video!
Great video! I have used light meters in the past for still photography but for some reason while shooting video I just go with eyeballing and in camera metering. Definitely an important tool I've overlooked.
I've used a 758 on shoots mainly for getting the contrast ratio nice and even across multiple days at the same location. Wouldn't have been possible without a meter. Was some time ago since last so this video helped a lot with refreshing my memory. I was not aware of the delta EV function. Will definitely be using that in the future .
I discovered it earlier this year! Super handy when setting ratios.
Love the Channel! Definitely interested in the feature where it calculates contrast ratios! Keep up the great work!
I bough a old and simple light meter (Minolta F V) a couple months ago. I think that I am one photographer before and after using it.
You explained in one video, what I have to watch 10 videos to understand. I don’t know how considered a photographer/cinematographer somebody who don’t knows how measurer ratios like you did.
So, I will love have this light meter because I can’t read HSS on mine and unfortunately here in Brazil is extremely expensive...
Thanks for your great content.
THIS IS THE VIDEO THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR , THNK U FOR THIS, YOU SAVED MY THESIS
Dude, i just want to say thank you for this info and the time you took to make this video, very helpful for us noobs without a proper education:D
Thanks for the video Robert
Always pulling fire information 🔥
Biggest take away is probably just the reminder that you don't always have to follow the rules but once to know them you have the key to true creativity.
Such a insightful video! Keep it up Robert
You have a good number of subscribers. You have a ton of respect. Some folks with more subscribers have people watching for the entertainment, not the substance. Stay yourself.
GREAT episode, thank you 🙏.
Sekonic L-858 is now on my wish list.
I very glad you take time to create this awesome video, still I have a lot to learn 😊
Lots of valuable information in this one, great work!
Just got a L758 used and this video helped tons. Thanks man Rob. Subscribed
36mins til it premieres. Can't wait man!
This is so informative! Great job and thank you very much!
This is a masterclass on metering. Well done!
Such a great tutorial. Thanks for all that you do. 🙏
I have a light meter where I work at and I only use one setting on it. But after seeing this video I have learned so much and can now properly expose my films and know 100% how to use it. I would definitely use the light meter to make sure my videos are properly exposed. Because I have a tendency to over expose through my monitor.
Great video Robert! I never knew how to use a light meter until I saw this video.
Thanks! So much information in here.
It was also nice to see Danny Shepherd in this. :D
This video is a fantastic resource. Great job 👍
This is a really great video! I've been trying to improve the cinematography in my films and I learned a goddamn lot from this quick video. Thank you so much.
Well done Robert, great tutorial!
I know this video is now close to a year old ... but still has some great info. Thanks for keeping it up.
Thanks for putting this together, learned a ton.
I love the idea of using one of these to predetermine the ND settings for the F stop I want to film at.
Great run down love the insight!
Great video and light meters well explored. I am now a subscriber. Keep up the good work.
My biggest takeaway for immediate use is committing f-stops to memory, Rob's tip on memorization was great. I want to start with that and knowing my camera's (BMMCC) DR, then begin to use a meter on-set for the commercials and interviews I shoot. At current, I cannot afford a light meter as there is other gear that I need, but I would love to win one so that I can put it to immediate use, specifically by using the spot meter. I am familiarizing myself with False Color but I want to be able to use something such as a meter to get better results. I have noticed that many cinematographers such as Rob use meters, and their work is noticeably excellent, much better than those I have seen do not use a meter. I want to join those who do, and hopefully create results that are just as good, while learning another tool for the creative use of storytelling.
Really well produced video. Thank you!
From one Machado to another, you sir, are my favorite (outside the family).
This was so informative! Thank you! I shall now invest in a light meter! Great video 👌
Robert, Thank you for the great info!
Excellent video. Very much needed.
Great video! I think my biggest takeaway from the video is to keep your light ratios in check to create consistent moods!
Such a great video mate!
Great video! I haven't seen anything in this depth before!
The video was very informative. I was having problem using false color and something was missing for me. I wanted to have a light meter to be able to set my contrast ratios at a desired level by metering it. After watching this video I realized that I can use this light meter to pre determine how big or a small light I will need at the set beforehand without guessing. I realized that he was having his crew bringing the reflector closer to match the ratio he wanted. It will work same when I want to determine how big of a light I will need at what distance to my subject at a desired light level or F stop. Also matching the 2 different cameras with different base ISO will be amazing. If we desire to keep the same F stop for both cameras we can determine the difference with the light meter and keep the f stops the same but substitute the difference with ND filter maybe. Also knowing how many stops I can go over my set F stop based on my camera's dynamic range is amazing. Now I can push the sensor to it's limits by metering and shoot it without worrying. If only I had a light meter :) Thank you for the video. It was great.
Great upload! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Amazing work man love the content
much needed, greatly appreciated
Awesome work man! Keep it up!
I never understood when people talked in 'stops' even if I knew pretty much how to expose 'normally' and now I understand much better the math behind. I would use this spot meter to expose S-log footage from my camera since it's soooo difficult to do so & also to expose for my analog photography ;)
Thank you so much for the easy explanation!
Really liked this video. Very helpful! Cheers!!
dude your videos are amazing!
fantastic tutorial, thank you and your team
I love the F-Stop and lighting ideas
Great video. I will use combination of incident and reflective metering.
Excellent Tutorial Robert
Using waveform or false color isn't enough, (or the filmic pro app). It would be nice to have repeatable results, like filming the second half of a scene the following day, so the final cut looks seamless. Also, as my work takes into more professional scenarios, I am expected to use a light meter on set. This is not just a great video, but the best one I've seen on youtube, from someone who clearly knows what they are doing; thank you!
Watching in 2020, your informative video is much appreciated!
Great video... my technique for a scene containing a window behind the subject. Incident light reading taken right at the window. In camera spot meter reading of gray card at the subjects position and then adjust fill light ratio with lighting or reflectors as desired.
Been on plenty sets and now in this digital world it was good to see how to balance 2 different cameras