anand@utastro.UUCP (Anand Sivaramakrishnan) (11/13/84)
In response to the query re meters... I have two cameras sans meters, and I use a Weston Master II (esp. outdoors, with view cameras)or a Pentax V spotmeter. I often ignore the meters on my 35's. If you are going to go in for handheld metering, let me evangelize... 1) The spot cost >$100. The Weston cost $20, needs no battery, and has taught me an awful lot about light. Using it will calibrate your eye in foot-candles. If your eye is a light meter correct to about 1/2 stop, wonderful opportunities open up to you in your photography. Eg. to set any camera correctly to reproduce middle grey if the luminance of the object is X foot candles, set the f-stop at the square root of the ASA (or EI), and the shutter speed is 1/X seconds. You will never be seriously hindered by your meter or batteries going on the blink. You'll be able to set your camera quickly and without raising it to your eyes. That can be useful when shooting 'street scenes' or candids. 2) Read Ansel Adams' Basic Photo Series (Negative) for some useful information on metering and exposure.