First of all, just a quick note that the Panasonic AF100 is currently in stock at B&H Photo. It's been a hard camera to find, as the demand is exceeding the supply -- so if you were planning on buying the camera, please use this link to support NFS (at no additional cost to you). With that out of the way, here's a video from Abel Cine highlighting the new low-cost Sekonic L-308DC light meter, which like all light meters allows one to light by ratios -- measuring stops without needing to constantly consult a camera's waveform or histogram. However, the newly-released 308DC is a third of the price of most light meters, and is specifically designed for DSLR and digital cinematography:
So, in what situations would you want to use a light meter instead of using your trusty on-camera exposure aids? One factor to keep in mind: if you have a guy standing with the camera while you're making light adjustments, he could tell you how your lighting tweaks are affecting the image. But if you're experienced with a light meter, you can be hanging the lights yourself and measuring it where the subject will be, without going back and forth to the camera or needing another party to tell you what's going on. Anyone out there work with a light meter in the digital age? If so, how do you find it?
[via CineTechnica]
