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Incident Mode
Typical subject for incident light reading:
High contrast overall would fool the averaging meter very easily.
Incident light means light falling on a subject. Incident light readings are taken from the subject position, usually pointing the light meter back towards the camera position. Various methods have been developed to deal with difficult lighting conditions, especially back-lighting, the best-known and most effective being the translucent plastic dome for the Weston light.
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Reflective Mode
Subjects like this are no problem for reflected light meters when aimed a little below the horizon...
All reflected light systems have problems with extreme 'subject failure' and most also give incorrect results with pictures involving large areas of sky or other bright subject matter and backlit subjects. The best matrix systems cope well with all normal subjects. Spot metering gives the photographer the greatest level of control with subjects where different exposure can give different subject interpretations. Exposure is not entirely a scientific matter, but can also allow some personal choices.
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Spot Mode
To keep control over Zone VIII and Zone III one needs a meter capable reading specific parts in the scene!
Spot meters are hand-held meters which incorporate a viewing system giving a narrow angle of view. They enable you to take exposure readings from small areas of a subject. You can use this to give the required exposure to key area of a picture, or by taking a series of readings of different parts of the subject, build up a profile that can then be used to determine exposure and development in terms of the Zone System.
Using a spot meter requires an appreciation of the way that film responds to light, and the simplest practical approach to this is in terms of the 'zones' of the Zone System even if you make no other use of the system. |
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Film Plane Mode
Close up and light background...We have a typical example where the film plane meter works best. Otherwise impossible to keep the highlight on the pencil in Zone VII.
Actually Spot metering except it is done on the Film plane thus eliminating the need for calculations on bellows draw, filter factors, flare and some.
Typical meters are: SinarSix, Sinar Booster, Horseman.
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