How to Calibrate a Light Meter
Introduction
Shoot films is not easy or cheap. Proper lighting is necessary for a good movie. A light meter is used in film to calculate how much light is essential for a shot. You will need to calibrate your light meter to your camera and your lenses. This will enable you to take shots that will be correctly exposed. Different environments will require different light meter calibrations. Check the instructions of your own equipment for additional directions.
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Things You'll Need:
- Camera
- Film stock
- Lens
- Light meter
Instructions
Step 1
Choose the camera, film stock, and lenses that you will be using during your real shoot. Calibrate these materials. This will allow you to have properly calibrated equipment for real future uses.
Step 2
Adjust the camera shutter speed to 1/24. This is the standard camera shutter speed. Place the film in the camera. Check and record the ISO rating.
Step 3
Pick a subject. Set up the lighting so that the subject can be recorded properly. The best lighting will be flat and even.
Step 4
Point the light meter’s sensor towards the camera. The meter should be in front of the subject. Take care that your shadow does not block the sensor’s light.
Step 5
Enter the camera’s shutter speed and the film’s ISO into the light meter. This will give you an f-stop reading. Capture 4 shots of a few seconds. Their f-stops should be -1/2, +1/2, -1, and +1 higher and lower than the light meter’s reading. This procedure is called bracketing.
Step 6
Develop the film. Find the shot that is properly exposed. Use that shot as a model of how to adjust the light meter to the lens and the camera.
Tip
Don’t use just any old camera equipment. Try researching what camera will work best with the project that you will be working on.
No comments:
Post a Comment