Here are a few tips for using a light meter for film or digital video recording.
Measuring Light for Video Recording
Once you begin using light meters when filming you are going to find that you have taken your film production skills to another level. When you are using a 16 mm Bolex camera or a PD-150 digital video recorder, the use of the light meter does not change. Here are a few tips and pointers for those trying to integrate a light meter into their video production for the first time.
Light Meter: How To
A light meter is a relatively basic concept when you get to its practical use. You use the light meter to measure the light at a given location. The light measurement it used to identify the light just in a specific spot in relation to how the image of that location will appear on film or video. When you are at that location you take a reading with the light meter, which then gives you a specific iris number to adjust your camera to.
This change can be done on every camera, and is made even easier on digital video cameras. The iris level that the light meter reads is supposed to be appropriate for the amount of light on the subject. Once you adjust the iris on your camera your image should be appropriate. You can also get things like direct aperture readings, and different light meters will have different levels of information.
Lumisphere
When you are using the light meter the top will usually be a curvature appearing as though it is half of a sphere, which is known as the Lumisphere sensor. This is what reads the light for the meter to interpret. Make sure that this is in direct contact with the light level that you want to measure. This is to say, that this spherical surface should be receiving the exact same light as the object you are attempting to light for film or video.
Setting a Light Meter
When you are holding the light meter to read the light you are going to push the "stopper" button in the center of the meter. Make sure that you hold the light meter perfectly vertical during this process. Make sure that you look at all the light sources around you and make sure that you are getting the correct reading on your surface.
Too Much Light
If you notice that the reading you are getting is too high from excessive light you are going to need to use the high slide in your light meter. This high slide then goes behind the sensor and then lowers the scale so you can get a regular reading.