Lightmeter, CLS, Looking at histogram???

[PEC]

Any of you guys using CLS to handle your lighting requirements?

To do it are you using the SU-800 to manage the lights?

I'm trying to decide between upgrading my flashes (sb800, 2x sb24) or moving to a light meter and shooting manual.

Thoughts?

[PEC]

oops, should be in the lighting forum...

[Daniel Bates]

Moved it for ya.

I had a light meter at one time - a Sekonic L-358 with the PW module, which worked brilliantly, but I found the histogram to be a much faster (albeit somewhat less accurate) way of metering my flashes. I don't do real portrait work anyways, so I value speed over pinpoint exposure accuracy.

[Photogdude]

of course it depends a lot on what you are doing, it's completely different if I'm outside doing landscapes, or in the studio doing a product shot, or even a port.

But I always end up looking at the histogram

[MyKey]

Light meter stays in the studio

My mother's doctor told her that every woman over 40 should get a histogram once a year for health reasons. ;-)

So 99% of TriCoast shots are CLS using 580ex units and TTL metering system, chimp on the back of the camera and move on. Easy and fast. :)

[patterc]

Under the studio lights I use the Sekonic L-358. Outside of that, I am trying my best to use TTL.

Clyde

[stephenpinn]

+ 1 to Clyde. Sekonic L-358 in studio, CLS/chimp in field

[texxter]

I use manual in the studio and on location alike. The main reason I dont take advantage of the amazing Nikon CLS system is that I have a mix of older and newer flashes and sometimes I mix portable flashes with other lights - manual with Pocket Wizards is the common denominator that works all the time. Also, I don't have the SU800 or Radio Poppers and the infrared between the builtin pop-up flash and the remote flashes is not very reliable.

I'd say that if you work in very dynamic environments and measuring light manually is not possible, then CLS with the right remote trigger may be pretty good. I personally, not being a Joe McNally, feel a little more confident when I control the lights myself.

[TheFantasticG]

CLS. On or off camera. Usually nails it pretty good for what portrait stuff I've done. For macro on the other hand, usually undershoots it. Found that out on the D90 and D7000 with the SB-600 and/or SB-R200s.