Exposure meters are used to gauge light during photo shoots.
Tricky lighting situations, such as a landscape strewn with both sunlight and shade, can often throw off your camera's built-in meter. Trusting your camera's meter in these instances often results in photos that are too bright (overexposed) or too dark (underexposed). Handheld light meters can be used to meter certain parts of your scene or subject, resulting in a more accurate exposure. General Electric's exposure meter is a powerful yet easy-to-use tool for professional and amateur photographers.
Instructions
1. Move the selector notch on top of the middle dial to set your film's speed. For example, if you're using ISO 100 film, set the dial to 100.
2. Assess your scene or subject's lighting conditions. If making a reading in dim light, move the notched outer f-stop dial until the trident marking in the view window aligns with the dial's "Low" setting. For bright light readings, move the f-stop dial until the marking aligns with the "High" setting.
3. Press and hold the pointer lock button on the left side of the meter. Point the meter at your subject and watch where the needle in the view window falls. If above "6" on "Low," move the f-stop dial to "High." If below "1" on "HIGH," move the f-stop dial to "Low."
4. Move the f-stop dial until the needle aligns with the top point of the trident marker. This indicates proper exposure. Release the pointer lock button to save your exposure settings.
5. Read the dials. The meter provides recommended aperture (lens opening) and shutter speed combinations. For example, if you are using ISO 400 film and you measured an average subject on a sunny, cloudless day, a suggested combination might be f/16 at 1/500th of a second.
6. Set your camera's settings accordingly. Take new exposure readings as lighting conditions change.
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