Note: If you don’t know why you need a light meter check out Light meters are dead, long live the light meter!
The Gossen Luna-Pro is the best light meter I’ve found used for less than $100. Is is an older model analog light meter and as a result takes a little more effort however as you will see it is still quick and easy to take a reading and you can take the money you saved and put it towards some new glass.
Side note: The Gossen Luna-Pro also works with flash which is a nice perk.
Here is a quick tutorial for taking a meter reading with the Gossen Luna-Pro (Other analog meters should be similar).
Step 1: Set the ISO (ASA).
- Turn the inner wheel until the ASA arrow points to the desired ISO.
Step 2: Taking a meter reading:
- Hold the meter near the subject and point the white bulb towards where the camera will be.
- Press the red button on the side to activate the meter
- Turn the outside wheel right/left until the needle lines up with “0”
Step 3: Reading the exposure values:
- Now that the reading is captured. The proper shutter speed and aperture values will line up as illustrated below.In this example a shutter speed of 1/125th @ aperture ƒ2.8 will provide proper exposure.
Note: Any other shutter speed + aperture combinations that line up on the meter will produce the same exposure.
Thanks for the tips and for the link to the Gossen Luna Pro F instruction manual. I just started getting back into film photography and bought several old cameras, two of which do not have a working meter. The Luna Pro F was my next purchase, and I’m already finding that it’s worth way more than what I payed for it, inasmuch as it’s a very good quality meter that gives good, consistent readings. Also, the 9v battery is very easy to find.