Nick loves his Pentax Digital Spotmeter, but if you look closely, that's not what he has. His is a Zone VI modified version. The difference? A stock Pentax Digital Spot is famous (???) for its lack of color linearity, meaning that measurements of a subject with different colors will yield different results for different colors which should give the same exposure measurement. Zone VI bought stock Pentax meters, torn down the optical system, replaced parts and added correction filters, solving the problems but killing a stop or two of its sensitively. Zone VI added about $200 to the price and resold. Nice if you can find one. Alternative: Minolta Spotmeter, M or F versions, which are just about perfect in every respect including color response, even easier to use than the Pentax,, and commonly a bit less pricey.
You are correct. Although I now have both a standard Pentax Spot Meter and this Zone VI modified version. Still need to put some more miles on the regular one but based on some cursory tests it seems the biggest difference between the two is that the Zone VI reads highlights at a lower EV value than the standard version.
Totally agree about Pentax spot vs combined incident/spot meters - the latter are overly complex and badly thought-out, whereas the Pentax spot is elegant design, all you need and nothing more. Perfect. Love Tess, she was either riveted by this video, or she had been at the bourbon before you got there!
Me too I noticed that too, a bit a contradiction there, oh well. But I still agree with him regarding the Pentax Digital Spotmeter, though you can get the Pentax Spotmerer V, instead for much cheaper, and does exactly the same thing, just you read the EV on the scale, instead of digitally. Ansel Adam's used both actually, along with a Gossen Luna-Pro SBC incident light meter.
Definitely out of production. But there are always a few on eBay. That's where I bought both of mine. I wish there was a modern version that worked the same way.
The 508 I bought years ago as a student has a scale on the bottom, I'm sure there was a few models over the years and you're right, would be a much worse meter without that. The thing is with the 508, it's a generalist. It will do everything, and it's a good enough generalist it'll do everything competently, whatever you're doing. But that Pentax, it does one thing. It does it simply, and it does it really well. If I had to pick one meter for everything, forever, it has to be the 508. It can do everything. But if I only had one meter for work on the field, outdoors, Pentax every time. And it is pretty versatile, you can take, effectively, and incident reading with it with a pocket grey card.
Exactly. The Pentax spotmeter V is the same as the Digital version with the difference you mentioned. I love the V version. Much cheaper. I got mine calibrated by George Milton in California around 12-13 years ago, just to be safe. Never failed me in my meterings.
Pentax is also my fav. Had it for maybe 30 years, or a very long time. My usual use is ever the deep shadow and brightest highlight, average the two and put on Zone 5. The palm of my hand is Zone VI. Oak trees are 5, cross lit snow is 6.5, green spring grass is 5. This my alternative method if a known value can be found.
Nick, I have 2 Pentax spot meters, for the zone system. One is by Zone VI like yours which I bought in the early 80's; the other is not a Zone VI altered meter but performs just as good as the Zone VI. I totally agree with you, easy to use! No complications! Does the Sekonix give you an EV from its spot meter? Something to judge what aperture and shutter speed will give you zone 5? BTW, John Sexton and Alan Ross still use these meters (Ansel's former assistants).
The Sekonic can give EV readings and delta EV calculations, which can be used to read contrast ratios, but the only way it can give a shutter and aperture is based on a Zone V reading. You can use a filter factor adjustment to make it read for other zones, but I find it a lot less useful and intuitive than the Pentax. And yeah man John Sexton and Alan Ross. Those guys are the real deal.
Hi Nick! thank you for introducing me to beauty of spot light metering. I want to buy a spot meter and I really like the simplicity of pentax, but it's super expensive. I found Minolta spot F which seems to be pretty close. Set iso, measure exposure and use up/down arrows to shift the aperture scale and shutter updates accordingly. What are your thoughts on it as an alternative? Thanks, Marek
I haven't used the Minolta myself, so I can't say for sure. But I will say that an excellent more affordable alternative is the Pentax Spotmeter V. Almost the same exact functionality as the Digital Spotmeter, just in a bigger, more affordable package.
I’m considering purchasing a used Pentax spotmeter, (Standard stock) 😉. My question, if you can assist, is very specific to the red led light. When taking a reading and the led light comes on, is it normal to be able to see the internals ie led electronic contacts etc. with the illumination of the led light. I expected to see the ev number illuminated on total blacked out small panel. Every time I take a reading it’s like looking inside the guts of the meter with a red flash light and ev displayed. Weird.
Hi Nick! What type of battery do you use in your Digital Spotmeter? Is there an accuracy difference between silver-oxide and lithium? I wasn't able to find a 6V (not a 6.2V) silver-oxide battery which the manual recommends. Thanks!
Looking forward to more behind the glass, with a glass....awsome man!!! Cant wait to see about the light meter also!! I go nuts when i see you have posted another vid! Keep up the great work!!!
Do you think I could use my Canon EOS 3 as a spotmeter for large format and 6x9? Basically it's a DSLR that uses 35mm film with modern canon lenses and has a spot meter. So i thought that I could maybe meter the zones with it and then just use the same settings on LF? I know I can't get an EV reading on EOS3. I could maybe hook a 50mm 1.8 canon lens to eos 3, dial in the ASA of the 6x9 roll film i'm using on LF, set the same apreture on both Canon and Horseman (super Topcor 90) and meter to get the correct shutter speed on Canon so that I can use the same setting on Horseman. I know it does not work with digital sensors but this might work because bith cameras use film? Would the bellows on LF make any difference for spot metering compared to 35mm slr?
Nice! Learned of your site after watching a Joseph Ellis video.. Enjoying your work now as well.. Appears I have some catching up to do.. LOL.. I love photography.. Been shooting since I was a little kid.. Moms Brownie, then my own Kodak Starlet.. Inherited my grandfathers Argus C3, (with TWO lenses!!) Still have all of those, and have enjoyed so many others passing thru my hands over the years.. I'm also happy to see that you appreciate an 'adult' beverage! In moderation, I'm sure.. Wink wink nudge nudge.. I can also be found, from time to time, admiring and indulging in such liquid refreshments.. Sometimes on it's own, other times accompanied with a nice cigar.. I'm no aficionado of either, but find treating myself once or twice a week to be most accommodating.. The time spent caring for my handful of smokes, keeping them happy and humidified in their little brown box, to be akin to working in the garden.. (My wife's flowers are amazing! And photographing them a joy) As for the numerous spirits available these days.. So many great choices.. Searching down the isles, the myriad of shapes & sizes, types & brands.. Not to mention the labeling art! And then the tasting! Some good, some not so much.. Always learning.. Sharing with friends is another great way to add to the experience.. PS: We also have a Jack Russel.. Lucy.. Shes 12, and has us pretty well trained.. Now, I have to say, a white Jack, on a black couch?!? You are either a very brave man, or have the worlds best vacuum cleaner ! Hahahaaa...
Love your channel Nick. Long time subscriber. Try some Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 year, bottled in bond. Like good photography locations....McKenna is getting hard to find! Cheers...
I used a Gossen incident meter for 35 years and it never let me down. with any meter system you need to understand light. hell sunlight travels 93 million miles to get to us. if you understand what that means in terms of metering it won't matter what kind of meter you're using. really Nick, Ansel knew what he was talking about. and I certainly hope that any training you're planning includes his wisdom on the subject. the grayscale works as you well know, and as long as you understand that, any meter will do. ah shit I gotta stop drinking. have a good night and i'm looking forward to more of your content here. thanks, Nick.
Hey Nick, I also have a pentax spotmeter. For a while I thought it had been modified to zone 6 because my film is always overexposed. I need your course!!!
Wow Nick, I have the dog, Lola a 7 year old beagle, I have the Pentax and the Sekonic and I agree...love my Pentax , I have the lots of glass.........and my bottle of choice today would be a shot of Mezcal with orange wedges and grasshopper salt :). I’m going to enjoy this series!
yes and no. There are two issues though. 1: the spot on your camera is larger than a dedicated meter so you might need a telephoto lens to compensate for that. 2: you have to compensate for the transmission loss of the lens on your DSLR (unless you intend to shoot with the DSLR itself).
@@janoudman2695 My Nikon cameras have spot metering per af-field. And the reading is very accurate. The t-stop might be different indeed but that is calculateable. Thanks for your reply tho. :)
I dont mean to be offtopic but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me.
@Adrian Andres i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
Pupperoony going HAM on that invisible lollypop in the end there I LOVE IT. But before becoming distracted by doggo, I really quite enjoyed the new segment and I am so looking forward to the next one. HINT: try some "High West Campfire" next. Thank me later.
The price of these meters has gone up since a year ago when I got my 1st one. I want a spare and can’t find one at a good price. Darn video, take it down! haha
Hey Nick! Planning on getting a scanner myself to scan at home, although I don't really have the budget for the V700 or above. Will the V600 do the job for medium prints?
Excellent combination of categories ! Although I've never mixed alcohol with photography, I do enjoy smoking a cigar when I'm out with the 4X5. Usually something inexpensive, but every once in a while a Montecristo goes along for the ride.
Ha! My favourite two subjects, photography and whisky:) I will need to seek out this burbon, till then I'll settle for glenmorangie sherry cask finish;) oh and interesting info on the light meter.
Hi Nick, thank you for your recommendation. I bought this Pentax and absolutely love it over my Sekonic D478D. From the first roll with Pentax all frames are even, well exposed. The scale with the dynamic range of film on this Pentax helps me a lot. Next in my plan is to buy your online course about exposure metering.
hi nick. big fan, do you offer online class or that course you reference ? on how to use that pentax spot meter? i have one and can't figure how to read it and know what the readings mean.... thanks / jc
Hi Nick, I am an amateur landscape photographer. How does the Pentax spot meter relate to today's digital cameras? I keep coming across tips on using the histogram and ETTR exposing to the right. Cheers.
I just bought a Pentax Digital Spot Meter off eBay purely so i can follow your course! (hopefully soon 🙂) Love your Videos and looking forward for more in the future!
I've got the same meter. Use it with my Toyo field 45a, Pentax 67 and my Hasselblad. Also I've just started a homebrew beer. Japan might be a little far for you to pop round to sample it though. Looking forward to the next episode.
Pentax Spotmeter V (not the modified version). Function exactly as the Digital version, but a big bigger, it is a 1 degree spotmeter. As with the digital version, you can fix a zone scale on it. Very reliable, Ansel Adam's used it, before he got the digital version, smaller and lighter.
Great video's Nick, keep them comming. Love the photography on location series. Just unique how you mix humor with pure skill and creativity and sharing that with us!
My three favorite things: 1. Photography 2. Whiskey 3. Your Channel Love this idea, I'll be watching and drinking along. If you haven't tried it already, I recommend Angel's Envy, it's a great bourbon. I'll also be first in line for that course.
Hi! Great video and great concept! :) Would like you to taste the drinks a couple of times through the show and say something more about that too! I use the Minolta Spotmeter M for my work! It's a great spotmeter, but not as simple as yours... I like it to give me readings in f-numbers, because that's what I'm used to think of in terms of the zone system. What do you think about using f-numbers in stead of EV value? I've tried it some times, but I just feel like I'm converting it to f-numbers anyway to use it on the camera. Cheers! :D
I have the Sekonic L-858D-U I use a lot in studio. For my landscape/fine art work, I almost exclusively use the Pentax spotmeter. Nothing beats its simplicity and speed to analyze a scene. Oh, and I prefer single malts :)
I fully agree. The Pentax spotmeter is the best photometer instrument I have used. It is simple and reliable. For me the best ever. Thanks Nick for your great videos. They are informative, useful and well done. I would have loved to listen your course on manual metering when I was learning the theory behind the zone system. I am certain that many students will profit from it. I will try to get a bottle of bourbon you recommend ... I will let you know...
Its ironic you say a blend of "science a d art " cause when I first discovered your channel I was like this man is a scientist with his approach to photography 🤣
Fun video Nick. Consider doing a video on framing. Not in camera but the print itself. Recently got to see an exhibition of Elton John's photography collection at the Tate in London. Nothing too shocking in the images but the framing of the prints was something else (he has his own framer... don;t you know). Mounting and framing can make a huge difference to the photograph. Keep up the videos, most enjoyable and check out a cheeky Irish whiskey called laphroaig.
I mainly shoot cityscapes and architecture and always feel a little uncertain using my incident light meter. Sometimes I cary around a 35mm SLR with a long focal length to have something like a spot meter at hand. The extra weight is annoying though when you're also carying a medium format camera with 2-3 lenses + tripod around. Maybe I should invest a few bucks. Looking forward to more videos of this series! Especially the comparison of a drum scan with a flatbed scan. That's something I have been wondering about for quite a while.
I paused the video and got the buffalo trace bourbon in hand (loaded with ice) and watching the new series! I can’t let you drink alone! Great video! Keep em coming.
I'll be looking forward to your film metering class. In the mean time, for your imbibing pleasure, I'd recommend trying some Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whisky poured into a glass over an ice ball with a Luxardo cherry frozen inside. By the time you finish the drink and get to the cherry, its been infused with the flavors of the bourbon...pure pleasure and extends the enjoyment.
I just bought a Pentax Spot meter on eBay, so I’m hoping you get to film your course video soon, so I can learn how to use it correctly!!! 🤔I think we’re all expecting it already since you mentioned it 🤷🏻♂️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 cheers Nick! Great job in all your videos, very inspiring
Also, question, should I buy the sticker for the zone shades for it, they sell them on eBay for like $5 ? I see yours is a little different, you also have the -3,2,1^1,2,3 on it.. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, the one they sell, compare to yours.
QUESTION: what would be the cheapest and good enough quality camera to buy recommended by You to try to learn Your type of photography. I will never do this as a job but my goal is to do the panorama photos with the cheapest gear possible, so far I have interesting results with my old mobile phone if I stitch photos together, but now I'd like to do it on film ...would be nice to have some direction where to start :)
Nowadays all new photographers start with digital photography so shooting with film is kinda like starting all over again in a fun way. What advice would you have for someone who wants to start shooting with film. Where to start what to learn and what equipment to buy and so on. Cheers from Sweden.
Ahoy. I use my Ricoh GR (the digital one) as a meter when using my TLRs. I set it to 400 iso ('cos I always use Portra 400) and aperture priority. I dial in my aperture, shift the exposure until I get the balance I want, and read off the shutter speed. It's a light meter with a preview. I've always had good results (but then Portra is _super_ forgiving). How do you feel about that? Is there anything wrong with my method?
until i buy one, would it be possible to just use my a7s and set it for "spot meter" to do more or less the same ? and if not, why ? thanks alot. big fan btw!
As both a photographer and a whisky (or indeed whiskey) nut, I'm hooked!! My tipple's a Caol Ila 12yr old with a dash of water; oily, smokey, nutty, yummy!! Love your work and love your videos Nick. Cheers!
I always had a feeling that you were a bourbon or whiskey man, feels good to be right. I love the same things, photography and editing images while drinking some Johhny Walker red label and listening to good music :)
Love the idea, can't wait to see what's next! You probably don't need any more gear and I know the Mamiya is a fantastic camera, but have you ever considered trying out a Pentax 6x7/67 to go with your digital spot meter ? : )
how's sekonic hard to use when all you have to do is spot meter a shadow and a highlight, hold the mid tone button down and drag the shadow reading in zone 3? like wtf is so complicated?
Great video, great idea great images. I am 41 years old and from my experience nostalgia is something that you experience differently through life, I would suggest that you need to make the book now, as your response to nostalgia and the past will change as you continue through life. This is my personal experience and it may also apply to you. Good luck with the book, you've got to do it!
Goodness me, don't large-format guys have all the fun; so loving this: methinks you're even channelling a bit of Bill "Suntory Time" Murray. Makes me crave to be back in Scotland again, for the natural combo of enjoying nicely exposed chromes alongside a single malt. Interesting and informed commentary on spot meters, joking aside. Sekonic user (758) here: I'd like a Pentax (or two), but worry about damaging and not having a spare, esp. now that the price for a good used one is somehow about to skyrocket! I think the Sekonics are indeed excellent, but they're by no means cheap, and you have to spend a great deal of time and practice to figure out the best way to make them work simply for you, since they're over-stuffed with features and controls. Placing values to base an exposure around without making errors (esp. for slide) is certainly more difficult than it ought to be, though by no means impossible. In some ways it's actually a helpful reminder to up one's game when shooting slide film - where complacency with exposure *always* bites. The average function, often advocated, is useful and good but in my experience by no means always the best way of using one. Thanks for a great video.
Chromes in Scotland with single malt. I can't think of many better ways to spend a day. I hear you on the meters. The Pentax meters are so pricey and becoming more and more rare. I really wish a manufacturer would come along with a new manufacture meter that works the same way. And I agree about the averaging method of manual metering - not nearly predictable and precise enough for my liking.
When is the "how to meter correctly the scene and exposure correctly the negative so you really start to take photographs instead of hoping everytime that the meter in your camera guesses the right contrast in the scene and produce a decent picture"? I've just bought a RB67 and god knows how you truly feel in power (and responsible) of everything that happens on that negative. I can't belive that since know I've trusted that little needle in the viewfinder and haven't considered the importance of a proper light reading for my negatives
Haha - that's a good title for a seminar. I'm hoping to get a full-fledged online course out later this year just for manual metering on shooting film. I need to let the heat die down in this part of the world before I can dive into making the videos for it.
I see at you web site you have your course for metering for film. My obvious question is are you close to having metering for digital? PS: As I was writing this comment I see on my list of suggested videos is one by Ben Horn and he looks to be holding a Sekonic meter that you featured on this video. It's all about the "Twilight Zone."
do you recommend reflective metering for outdoor portrait work? Super excited for your film course. Can your course also cover metering at night and flash film photography? Great video as always!
Great idea for a series!. Also, just wanted to mention that I love the photo above the couch. Would love to see the entire image and perhaps hear the story behind it, if you feel like it at some point. :-)
Excellent start to the new series. 5 pets for Tess for her patience and loving commitment to not be a typical Terrier throughout that video. :) Sending an angry email though!
Great stuff Nick. As a home brewer who enjoys most fermentables, I'm looking forward to seeing what beverages you choose as your co-host on this new series (= Cheers!
I love how the dog just chills around and wakes up from time to time to check up on you :D
Yo Nick
Please do a video on the Mamiya RZ67!! Love to hear your thoughts on it
That's a good idea.
@@nickcarverphoto don't bury this idea, Nick! It's been a year and a half since this message!
I seriously thought at the 5 minute mark you were going to drink it straight from the bottle. I was wrong.
Haha! That would have been classy.
Great new show idea Nick. for drinks ideas how about wheat beer, hoegaarden is one of my favorite summer beverage. looking forward to upcoming videos.
Thanks! I'll definitely get some wheat beers going on this series. I really love hefeweizen beers.
Nick loves his Pentax Digital Spotmeter, but if you look closely, that's not what he has. His is a Zone VI modified version. The difference? A stock Pentax Digital Spot is famous (???) for its lack of color linearity, meaning that measurements of a subject with different colors will yield different results for different colors which should give the same exposure measurement. Zone VI bought stock Pentax meters, torn down the optical system, replaced parts and added correction filters, solving the problems but killing a stop or two of its sensitively. Zone VI added about $200 to the price and resold. Nice if you can find one. Alternative: Minolta Spotmeter, M or F versions, which are just about perfect in every respect including color response, even easier to use than the Pentax,, and commonly a bit less pricey.
You are correct. Although I now have both a standard Pentax Spot Meter and this Zone VI modified version. Still need to put some more miles on the regular one but based on some cursory tests it seems the biggest difference between the two is that the Zone VI reads highlights at a lower EV value than the standard version.
Thanks for your insight.
Have you tried the sverdlovsk-4? Another great and simple meter.
I have not. Looks like some sweet soviet-era goodness though.
Cant wait to get in on that metering course! Should I be getting a zone 6 modified version?
I have both and I prefer the non-modified version.
Cool, looking forward to the course!
Totally agree about Pentax spot vs combined incident/spot meters - the latter are overly complex and badly thought-out, whereas the Pentax spot is elegant design, all you need and nothing more. Perfect. Love Tess, she was either riveted by this video, or she had been at the bourbon before you got there!
Did you just pick up the sekonic for the course or have you used extensively, EXTENSIVELY?
E--X--T--E--N--S--I--V--E--L--Y
Me too I noticed that too, a bit a contradiction there, oh well. But I still agree with him regarding the Pentax Digital Spotmeter, though you can get the Pentax Spotmerer V, instead for much cheaper, and does exactly the same thing, just you read the EV on the scale, instead of digitally. Ansel Adam's used both actually, along with a Gossen Luna-Pro SBC incident light meter.
Fantastic video, and couldn’t agree more with your perspective on meters. Thanks!
Quite difficult to get one. I think it is out of production by now. Any up to date products on the market with similar operation principle?
I would also appreciate an answer to this question.
Definitely out of production. But there are always a few on eBay. That's where I bought both of mine. I wish there was a modern version that worked the same way.
The 508 I bought years ago as a student has a scale on the bottom, I'm sure there was a few models over the years and you're right, would be a much worse meter without that. The thing is with the 508, it's a generalist. It will do everything, and it's a good enough generalist it'll do everything competently, whatever you're doing. But that Pentax, it does one thing. It does it simply, and it does it really well. If I had to pick one meter for everything, forever, it has to be the 508. It can do everything. But if I only had one meter for work on the field, outdoors, Pentax every time. And it is pretty versatile, you can take, effectively, and incident reading with it with a pocket grey card.
A Spotmeter V would be the same, but without the digital EV number? They’re a lot cheaper.
Exactly. The Pentax spotmeter V is the same as the Digital version with the difference you mentioned. I love the V version. Much cheaper. I got mine calibrated by George Milton in California around 12-13 years ago, just to be safe. Never failed me in my meterings.
Pentax is also my fav. Had it for maybe 30 years, or a very long time.
My usual use is ever the deep shadow and brightest highlight, average the two and put on Zone 5.
The palm of my hand is Zone VI. Oak trees are 5, cross lit snow is 6.5, green spring grass is 5. This my alternative method if a known value can be found.
Nick, I have 2 Pentax spot meters, for the zone system. One is by Zone VI like yours which I bought in the early 80's; the other is not a Zone VI altered meter but performs just as good as the Zone VI. I totally agree with you, easy to use! No complications! Does the Sekonix give you an EV from its spot meter? Something to judge what aperture and shutter speed will give you zone 5? BTW, John Sexton and Alan Ross still use these meters (Ansel's former assistants).
The Sekonic can give EV readings and delta EV calculations, which can be used to read contrast ratios, but the only way it can give a shutter and aperture is based on a Zone V reading. You can use a filter factor adjustment to make it read for other zones, but I find it a lot less useful and intuitive than the Pentax. And yeah man John Sexton and Alan Ross. Those guys are the real deal.
Cool Beans! Yet another entertaining video with ice cold facts!
Hi Nick! thank you for introducing me to beauty of spot light metering. I want to buy a spot meter and I really like the simplicity of pentax, but it's super expensive. I found Minolta spot F which seems to be pretty close. Set iso, measure exposure and use up/down arrows to shift the aperture scale and shutter updates accordingly. What are your thoughts on it as an alternative?
Thanks,
Marek
I haven't used the Minolta myself, so I can't say for sure. But I will say that an excellent more affordable alternative is the Pentax Spotmeter V. Almost the same exact functionality as the Digital Spotmeter, just in a bigger, more affordable package.
@@nickcarverphoto Thanks a lot! I will check it out! You have great videos/pictures, huge inspiration for me.
What a great concept. Like you I love photography and I love my bourbon. Looking forward to this series while drinking some good bourbon with ya.
I’m considering purchasing a used Pentax spotmeter, (Standard stock) 😉. My question, if you can assist, is very specific to the red led light. When taking a reading and the led light comes on, is it normal to be able to see the internals ie led electronic contacts etc. with the illumination of the led light. I expected to see the ev number illuminated on total blacked out small panel. Every time I take a reading it’s like looking inside the guts of the meter with a red flash light and ev displayed. Weird.
Hi Nick! What type of battery do you use in your Digital Spotmeter? Is there an accuracy difference between silver-oxide and lithium? I wasn't able to find a 6V (not a 6.2V) silver-oxide battery which the manual recommends. Thanks!
Looking forward to more behind the glass, with a glass....awsome man!!! Cant wait to see about the light meter also!! I go nuts when i see you have posted another vid! Keep up the great work!!!
Thank you very much!
Whiskey + Photography??!! I'm sticking around. :-D
Do you think I could use my Canon EOS 3 as a spotmeter for large format and 6x9?
Basically it's a DSLR that uses 35mm film with modern canon lenses and has a spot meter. So i thought that I could maybe meter the zones with it and then just use the same settings on LF?
I know I can't get an EV reading on EOS3. I could maybe hook a 50mm 1.8 canon lens to eos 3, dial in the ASA of the 6x9 roll film i'm using on LF, set the same apreture on both Canon and Horseman (super Topcor 90) and meter to get the correct shutter speed on Canon so that I can use the same setting on Horseman.
I know it does not work with digital sensors but this might work because bith cameras use film? Would the bellows on LF make any difference for spot metering compared to 35mm slr?
Nice! Learned of your site after watching a Joseph Ellis video.. Enjoying your work now as well.. Appears I have some catching up to do.. LOL.. I love photography.. Been shooting since I was a little kid.. Moms Brownie, then my own Kodak Starlet.. Inherited my grandfathers Argus C3, (with TWO lenses!!) Still have all of those, and have enjoyed so many others passing thru my hands over the years.. I'm also happy to see that you appreciate an 'adult' beverage! In moderation, I'm sure.. Wink wink nudge nudge.. I can also be found, from time to time, admiring and indulging in such liquid refreshments.. Sometimes on it's own, other times accompanied with a nice cigar.. I'm no aficionado of either, but find treating myself once or twice a week to be most accommodating.. The time spent caring for my handful of smokes, keeping them happy and humidified in their little brown box, to be akin to working in the garden.. (My wife's flowers are amazing! And photographing them a joy) As for the numerous spirits available these days.. So many great choices.. Searching down the isles, the myriad of shapes & sizes, types & brands.. Not to mention the labeling art! And then the tasting! Some good, some not so much.. Always learning.. Sharing with friends is another great way to add to the experience.. PS: We also have a Jack Russel.. Lucy.. Shes 12, and has us pretty well trained.. Now, I have to say, a white Jack, on a black couch?!? You are either a very brave man, or have the worlds best vacuum cleaner ! Hahahaaa...
Love your channel Nick. Long time subscriber. Try some Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 year, bottled in bond. Like good photography locations....McKenna is getting hard to find! Cheers...
I used a Gossen incident meter for 35 years and it never let me down. with any meter system you need to understand light. hell sunlight travels 93 million miles to get to us. if you understand what that means in terms of metering it won't matter what kind of meter you're using. really Nick, Ansel knew what he was talking about. and I certainly hope that any training you're planning includes his wisdom on the subject. the grayscale works as you well know, and as long as you understand that, any meter will do. ah shit I gotta stop drinking. have a good night and i'm looking forward to more of your content here. thanks, Nick.
Amen to everything you said here. And don't you worry, I will be giving Ansel his due. His Zone System is so popular for a reason.
Love it! Keep'em coming! *Cheers with a nice glass of Nikka - Pure Malt Red Label*
Hey Nick, I also have a pentax spotmeter. For a while I thought it had been modified to zone 6 because my film is always overexposed. I need your course!!!
Mine is also Zone 6 modified, but I kind of wish it wasn't.
Nick Carver I saw that in the video. Mine isn't marked like your's as zone 6 modified. I think I'm just reading the tones in the scene incorrectly.
hey there Nick, maybe you know if it's normal for Pentax spot meter to blink while giving you a read?
Looking forward to the new series and online courses. Also, the video on Velvia 100 ;-)
Thank you! And thanks for the reminder.
yes, I'd really pay attention to a Velvia 100 video especially on metering for it. I just have a devil of a time with that film.
Wow Nick, I have the dog, Lola a 7 year old beagle, I have the Pentax and the Sekonic and I agree...love my Pentax , I have the lots of glass.........and my bottle of choice today would be a shot of Mezcal with orange wedges and grasshopper salt :). I’m going to enjoy this series!
I mostly have my DSLR with me. So is there any difference if I just use the spotmeter feature on my DSLR for landscape photography?
yes and no. There are two issues though. 1: the spot on your camera is larger than a dedicated meter so you might need a telephoto lens to compensate for that. 2: you have to compensate for the transmission loss of the lens on your DSLR (unless you intend to shoot with the DSLR itself).
@@janoudman2695 My Nikon cameras have spot metering per af-field. And the reading is very accurate. The t-stop might be different indeed but that is calculateable. Thanks for your reply tho. :)
Hey Nick, I have to say, I absolutely love this series idea - and what a way to kick it off! Great job. Look forward to seeing your online courses.
Glad to hear that! Thank you!
I dont mean to be offtopic but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account?
I stupidly forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me.
@Tommy Ben Instablaster :)
@Adrian Andres i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out now.
Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.
@Adrian Andres It worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D
Thanks so much, you really help me out !
Pupperoony going HAM on that invisible lollypop in the end there I LOVE IT. But before becoming distracted by doggo, I really quite enjoyed the new segment and I am so looking forward to the next one. HINT: try some "High West Campfire" next. Thank me later.
Haha - yeah she was working up a yawn. Weird quirk of hers. And I'll add High West Campfire to my list. Thanks!
The price of these meters has gone up since a year ago when I got my 1st one. I want a spare and can’t find one at a good price. Darn video, take it down! haha
Hey Nick! Planning on getting a scanner myself to scan at home, although I don't really have the budget for the V700 or above. Will the V600 do the job for medium prints?
Can you add a digital camera/light box to your drum scan comparison?
Excellent combination of categories ! Although I've never mixed alcohol with photography, I do enjoy smoking a cigar when I'm out with the 4X5. Usually something inexpensive, but every once in a while a Montecristo goes along for the ride.
Keep these coming mate.....love your TH-cam channel!!
Thank you! Will do!
Ha! My favourite two subjects, photography and whisky:) I will need to seek out this burbon, till then I'll settle for glenmorangie sherry cask finish;) oh and interesting info on the light meter.
Hi Nick, thank you for your recommendation. I bought this Pentax and absolutely love it over my Sekonic D478D. From the first roll with Pentax all frames are even, well exposed. The scale with the dynamic range of film on this Pentax helps me a lot. Next in my plan is to buy your online course about exposure metering.
That’s awesome, my friend. Such a great meter (and getting harder to come by).
hi nick. big fan, do you offer online class or that course you reference ? on how to use that pentax spot meter? i have one and can't figure how to read it and know what the readings mean.... thanks / jc
The course isn't out yet, but I have been working on it. About 50% complete as of April 29.
Hi Nick, I am an amateur landscape photographer. How does the Pentax spot meter relate to today's digital cameras? I keep coming across tips on using the histogram and ETTR exposing to the right. Cheers.
I just bought a Pentax Digital Spot Meter off eBay purely so i can follow your course! (hopefully soon 🙂)
Love your Videos and looking forward for more in the future!
This is the best most therapeutic video... All the things I love. Thank you Thank you Nick!
I've got the same meter. Use it with my Toyo field 45a, Pentax 67 and my Hasselblad. Also I've just started a homebrew beer. Japan might be a little far for you to pop round to sample it though. Looking forward to the next episode.
When is that course coming ? It's been 11 months....(not that anyone's counting)
Check out my most recent video for an update.
Are there any budget friendly alternatives to the pentax spot meter that can be recommended ?
Pentax Spotmeter V (not the modified version). Function exactly as the Digital version, but a big bigger, it is a 1 degree spotmeter. As with the digital version, you can fix a zone scale on it. Very reliable, Ansel Adam's used it, before he got the digital version, smaller and lighter.
Great video's Nick, keep them comming. Love the photography on location series. Just unique how you mix humor with pure skill and creativity and sharing that with us!
Thank you!
Hello from Toronto, great topic!
Nick, what are your thoughts on the analog Pentax Spot Meter V?
Another fine episode! Can't wait for more BGWG :)
Bring on the red wine !!!! Cheers!
Thank you!
My three favorite things:
1. Photography
2. Whiskey
3. Your Channel
Love this idea, I'll be watching and drinking along. If you haven't tried it already, I recommend Angel's Envy, it's a great bourbon. I'll also be first in line for that course.
Yeah! Top 3 baby!
Hi!
Great video and great concept! :) Would like you to taste the drinks a couple of times through the show and say something more about that too!
I use the Minolta Spotmeter M for my work! It's a great spotmeter, but not as simple as yours... I like it to give me readings in f-numbers, because that's what I'm used to think of in terms of the zone system.
What do you think about using f-numbers in stead of EV value? I've tried it some times, but I just feel like I'm converting it to f-numbers anyway to use it on the camera.
Cheers! :D
Picked up a bottle of BHs in Hawaii the other day! Looking forward to trying it out!
I have the Sekonic L-858D-U I use a lot in studio. For my landscape/fine art work, I almost exclusively use the Pentax spotmeter. Nothing beats its simplicity and speed to analyze a scene. Oh, and I prefer single malts :)
I fully agree. The Pentax spotmeter is the best photometer instrument I have used. It is simple and reliable. For me the best ever. Thanks Nick for your great videos. They are informative, useful and well done. I would have loved to listen your course on manual metering when I was learning the theory behind the zone system. I am certain that many students will profit from it. I will try to get a bottle of bourbon you recommend ... I will let you know...
Its ironic you say a blend of "science a d art " cause when I first discovered your channel I was like this man is a scientist with his approach to photography 🤣
Fun video Nick. Consider doing a video on framing. Not in camera but the print itself. Recently got to see an exhibition of Elton John's photography collection at the Tate in London.
Nothing too shocking in the images but the framing of the prints was something else (he has his own framer... don;t you know). Mounting and framing can make a huge difference to the photograph. Keep up the videos, most enjoyable and check out a cheeky Irish whiskey called laphroaig.
That's a good idea. Framing is a whole art unto itself.
Hello Nick and thank you for your videos, I've learned a lot! Is this metering online course available yet? Couldn't find it from your website.
It's not out yet, but should be very soon. I'm currently 94% complete and am hoping to finish the remaining 6% in the next few weeks.
@@nickcarverphoto Marvelous!
Heh, you'll laugh, but I have the analog predecessor - Pentax Spotmeter V.
I mainly shoot cityscapes and architecture and always feel a little uncertain using my incident light meter. Sometimes I cary around a 35mm SLR with a long focal length to have something like a spot meter at hand. The extra weight is annoying though when you're also carying a medium format camera with 2-3 lenses + tripod around. Maybe I should invest a few bucks.
Looking forward to more videos of this series! Especially the comparison of a drum scan with a flatbed scan. That's something I have been wondering about for quite a while.
Yeah I hear you on that. I do a lot of architectural photography too and an incident light meter would probably drive me nuts.
That Pentax meter is the duck's guts for landscape work. All I've ever used.
I paused the video and got the buffalo trace bourbon in hand (loaded with ice) and watching the new series! I can’t let you drink alone! Great video! Keep em coming.
I'll be looking forward to your film metering class. In the mean time, for your imbibing pleasure, I'd recommend trying some Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whisky poured into a glass over an ice ball with a Luxardo cherry frozen inside. By the time you finish the drink and get to the cherry, its been infused with the flavors of the bourbon...pure pleasure and extends the enjoyment.
Love it. That sounds delicious.
Good man. The only thing you put in whisky.....more whisky 😉 excellent content and idea for a series 👍🏻
I just bought a Pentax Spot meter on eBay, so I’m hoping you get to film your course video soon, so I can learn how to use it correctly!!! 🤔I think we’re all expecting it already since you mentioned it 🤷🏻♂️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 cheers Nick! Great job in all your videos, very inspiring
Also, question, should I buy the sticker for the zone shades for it, they sell them on eBay for like $5 ? I see yours is a little different, you also have the -3,2,1^1,2,3 on it.. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, the one they sell, compare to yours.
QUESTION: what would be the cheapest and good enough quality camera to buy recommended by You to try to learn Your type of photography. I will never do this as a job but my goal is to do the panorama photos with the cheapest gear possible, so far I have interesting results with my old mobile phone if I stitch photos together, but now I'd like to do it on film ...would be nice to have some direction where to start :)
Nowadays all new photographers start with digital photography so shooting with film is kinda like starting all over again in a fun way. What advice would you have for someone who wants to start shooting with film. Where to start what to learn and what equipment to buy and so on. Cheers from Sweden.
Your videos are always so much fun! Love them.
Thank you, sir!
Ahoy. I use my Ricoh GR (the digital one) as a meter when using my TLRs. I set it to 400 iso ('cos I always use Portra 400) and aperture priority. I dial in my aperture, shift the exposure until I get the balance I want, and read off the shutter speed. It's a light meter with a preview. I've always had good results (but then Portra is _super_ forgiving). How do you feel about that? Is there anything wrong with my method?
until i buy one, would it be possible to just use my a7s and set it for "spot meter" to do more or less the same ? and if not, why ? thanks alot. big fan btw!
Yeah, so long as you know where to line the spot meter up on your +3 to -3 scale.
As both a photographer and a whisky (or indeed whiskey) nut, I'm hooked!! My tipple's a Caol Ila 12yr old with a dash of water; oily, smokey, nutty, yummy!! Love your work and love your videos Nick. Cheers!
I always had a feeling that you were a bourbon or whiskey man, feels good to be right. I love the same things, photography and editing images while drinking some Johhny Walker red label and listening to good music :)
Look at me. I'm a white guy in his early thirties with a beard and a 1940's haircut. You're damn right I'm a bourbon man.
I think I found my new favourite photo TH-cam series
That's what I like to hear!
Drinking a Bushmills 10 yrs here. I love this new video concept Nick.
Love the idea, can't wait to see what's next! You probably don't need any more gear and I know the Mamiya is a fantastic camera, but have you ever considered trying out a Pentax 6x7/67 to go with your digital spot meter ? : )
how's sekonic hard to use when all you have to do is spot meter a shadow and a highlight, hold the mid tone button down and drag the shadow reading in zone 3? like wtf is so complicated?
Great video, great idea great images. I am 41 years old and from my experience nostalgia is something that you experience differently through life, I would suggest that you need to make the book now, as your response to nostalgia and the past will change as you continue through life. This is my personal experience and it may also apply to you. Good luck with the book, you've got to do it!
.... Hi Nick, great channel, best Whisky is Irish "Bushmills", and that's from a Welsh man.. lol
Goodness me, don't large-format guys have all the fun; so loving this: methinks you're even channelling a bit of Bill "Suntory Time" Murray. Makes me crave to be back in Scotland again, for the natural combo of enjoying nicely exposed chromes alongside a single malt.
Interesting and informed commentary on spot meters, joking aside. Sekonic user (758) here: I'd like a Pentax (or two), but worry about damaging and not having a spare, esp. now that the price for a good used one is somehow about to skyrocket!
I think the Sekonics are indeed excellent, but they're by no means cheap, and you have to spend a great deal of time and practice to figure out the best way to make them work simply for you, since they're over-stuffed with features and controls. Placing values to base an exposure around without making errors (esp. for slide) is certainly more difficult than it ought to be, though by no means impossible. In some ways it's actually a helpful reminder to up one's game when shooting slide film - where complacency with exposure *always* bites. The average function, often advocated, is useful and good but in my experience by no means always the best way of using one.
Thanks for a great video.
Chromes in Scotland with single malt. I can't think of many better ways to spend a day.
I hear you on the meters. The Pentax meters are so pricey and becoming more and more rare. I really wish a manufacturer would come along with a new manufacture meter that works the same way. And I agree about the averaging method of manual metering - not nearly predictable and precise enough for my liking.
When is the "how to meter correctly the scene and exposure correctly the negative so you really start to take photographs instead of hoping everytime that the meter in your camera guesses the right contrast in the scene and produce a decent picture"?
I've just bought a RB67 and god knows how you truly feel in power (and responsible) of everything that happens on that negative. I can't belive that since know I've trusted that little needle in the viewfinder and haven't considered the importance of a proper light reading for my negatives
Haha - that's a good title for a seminar. I'm hoping to get a full-fledged online course out later this year just for manual metering on shooting film. I need to let the heat die down in this part of the world before I can dive into making the videos for it.
Drinky Poo's are awesome. Especially when the Edit starts. :-)
Amen.
great video, great stuff. the dog is perfect!
Thank you!
Love the feel of the video Nick, looking forward to the new content and hearing you drink your way though photography topics!
this is going to be bloody great . cant wait for more mate
Enjoying a glass of Marquis de Villard French Brandy in Canada, while awaiting delivery of a new Epson V850!
I see at you web site you have your course for metering for film. My obvious question is are you close to having metering for digital?
PS: As I was writing this comment I see on my list of suggested videos is one by Ben Horn and he looks to be holding a Sekonic meter that you featured on this video. It's all about the "Twilight Zone."
Great idea Nick! I'll be looking forward to this series!
do you recommend reflective metering for outdoor portrait work? Super excited for your film course. Can your course also cover metering at night and flash film photography? Great video as always!
Great idea for a series!. Also, just wanted to mention that I love the photo above the couch. Would love to see the entire image and perhaps hear the story behind it, if you feel like it at some point. :-)
Never mind :-). Just watched the 2013 video from Joshua Tree National Park where that image was taken :-)
And the printing video's as well :-) Thank you!
i have your same scanner...compared a wet scan to a highend hasselblad flextight scan. I actually liked mine better
That's interesting to hear. I've been very curious about those Flextight scanners. They ain't cheap.
Ah whisky and photography... love it. I have a dram quite often when doing astrophotography, or editing my daylight photography. Excellent.
Yeah that's a good pairing - astrophotography and some whiskey. And good word - "dram."
Haha, its good to learn a new word every day! FYI, another very good sipping bourbon is Knob Creek.
Drinks and darkrooms go together. So does a photography discussion with a glass of your favorite. Great choice!
Amen to that.
Just don't grab a bottle of fixer by mistake! ;)
I think stop bath would be worse. That, or C41 Blix.
Anyone tried developing in bourbon?
I've never had bourbon around long enough to use as developer! lol! That could be interesting. I wonder how long you'd leave it in the 'soup'?
"Drinky-Poo" .... Mr. Leahy's photography fireside chat ... LOL
The look on your dogs face when you said behind the glass with the glass. It was like wtf.
Excellent start to the new series. 5 pets for Tess for her patience and loving commitment to not be a typical Terrier throughout that video. :)
Sending an angry email though!
I own two analog and one digital Pentax spot meter for precisely the reasons stated.
Love a good analog meter. So simple in design.
Great stuff Nick. As a home brewer who enjoys most fermentables, I'm looking forward to seeing what beverages you choose as your co-host on this new series (= Cheers!
My fave whiskey is Scapa 16 yr old. Totally recommended, super smooth. Fave meter is the Pentax Spot. :)
Photography, a drink and a beautiful dog? Count me in! btw Tess stole the show