Sekonic L-V New Professional User manual

Page 2 · Read text

Tabte of Contents

        :
 Getting acquainted witl; ;'eur. meter.               ............. z
 How to operate yeur meter..............             ...... B-5
 Some irnportant matter for photography.           . 5-T
 Combination of meter, cainera and fi,m...               ....; g
.Measuring          the incident light..                  g-12
Method for measuring reflected light..         .......18-16
Attachments tor measurel1ent......            .....LT-23





                         t-

                                                    1

View original page 2

Page 5 · Read text

www.butkus.us


2. How to set C scale.
    In ordinary photography, c scale is used for calculating exposure
  bvusingthewhitearrowlnarkforincidentlightortheredarrow
   rrrark for reflected light, according to the reading of your meter'
    T'he multiplier on bcth sides of either red or white arrow mark
  are used when it is necessary to make adjusting measurements  for
  hoth the subject and the light falling upon it,  in order to make
  accurate rneasurement ; that is, the reading on both sides of the
  :trrow mark are usecl rvhen the exposure or f-stop adjustment to      Red anow (nutlip[e nunber)
  the reading of 5'our nteter rs necessary'
                                  the                          on                     the arrow            -f                  cf          mark   The
                                 f-stop                            the                    increase          used               to                                     Mike Butkus                                            Digitally                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  DN:c=USDate:cn=Mike2023.03.11signedButkus,by09:15:55Mikeo=ButkusButkus-05'00'camera manuals, ou=butkus.org, email=mike@butkus.org,         is   right
  by one step, and the - tnark on the
   left is to <lecrease the f-stop by one
   :Step.
     Practical application will be givert
   afterw-ards.
 3.  The reading: of the needle'
   When your meter recieves light
   the reading of the needle shows the  ut
   illuminating Power' that  is, the
   needle moves toward the greater
   'value if the strength of the illumi-
   lating power is greater.
       If the needle dhows over 5C0 when
                                  -4-

View original page 5

Page 6 · Read text

a

Iight is measured rvhithin the limits of low intensity scale (lower scale), it is 'recessary for you
to change the scale for high illuminating power (upper scale).
C)n the contran'y, if the ireedle shows under 500 when measured by the upper scale, you have to
change to the lower scale. In order to change the scale, when light is measured by an incident
type exposure meter, hoid the lever on the outside of the bright light-bulb and rotate it to the
right rrntil it stops.
In the case of illuminating power scale, sc4le will be changed for low illuminating power when
the lever is rotated to the left.
For "open" artd t'close" set it to the reading by the small knob.
",4. DiaI setting.
If the arrow mark on the C scale is set to the
numerical figure engraved on the circumference of
the A scale which corresponds to the illuminating
power indicated by the needle, on the lower half 254
fo the dial and adjacent to each other will be found
the combination of f-stop and shutter speed for 250
correct exposure.
The white arrow mark is used for incident light
-exposure calculation and red arrow mark is used Iris Setting Scata for reflected Iight exposure calculation. Red arrow
-mark + 2 r.s for reflected light calculation of Shutter SPezd
..extremely low illuminating power using a hood. www.butkus.us
-5-

View original page 6

Page 9 · Read text

www.butkus.us

( 4) Cornbination of meter,
camera and film.
(a) In the case of incident type exposure'
calculation, the measurement is made by
holding the meter close to the subject, and
point it at the camera, and in the case of'
reflected light type exposure calculation,
the measurement is made by pointing the-
meter at the reflected light from the subject.
(b) Set the index number on the A scale,
which corresponds the index of your film' in'
the red colour opening of the B scale.
(O) Bead the needle indication on the A scale aricl set it to the arrow mark on the C scale.
(d) Set the calculated f-stop and shutter speed to your camera.
(e) Press shutter lever, and you can get proper exposure for complete photogrphing.

( 5 ) Measuring the incident light.
(A) Be sure the Photosphere is firmly seated in place. Norv hold the meter close to the subject

-8-

View original page 9

Page 10 · Read text

:and measure the light falling on the surface
 to be photographed.
   In this case keep the meter from both
 the subject and your body as    as possib-                                   {ar
 Ie, for  it  is desirble to keep the .rireter-from reflected light and any other harmful                  :I
 light.
   (b) If the needle indication on the low
 scale is over 500, f-stop for the meter is
'recessary. On the contrary,  if the needle
 indication on the high scale is under 500,
-f-stop has to be opened to full, and the
:indication should be read on the low scale.





                                 -9-

View original page 10

Page 12 · Read text

The combination of F 22, 7)( sec., in the following table is one of the examples of combination
'"of long time shutter speed and deep focus.
(b) If you find an odd number 'l:tltoo from a calculated value F-1.8, having t/tuo-t/tsu_llroo
as the nearset numerical values to it ; and When your camera has no readings of r/126-r/1s6, take
longer time for exposure. Films have considerable latitude, so that you will not get off-tone
-pictures.
(o) F'or most outdoor photography, where the general illumination is the sarne as the camera
position at the subject, the meter may be held at the camera position instead, for, wherever the
meter is held, the same amount of light falls on the subject and the meter:
(d) When shooting above or below eye level, tilt the meter to the same angle as your camera.
Motion-picture photography :
For Motion-picture photography, look for your cine-camera
speed in frames per second, in the red band on thc B scale.
Normal movie-camera speed is 16 frames per second. The
numerical figure corresponding to 16 represents l/ao sec., which
is the shutter speed of movie-carrteta, and oirposite this red
point read the correct f-stop for use.
In motion-picture photography, sometimes artificial light is
used. If such a stage is available as to be able to regulate the
strength of light with fixed shutter speed and f-stop, regulate
the light source until you get the desirable illuminating power
by observing the indication of your meter by changing thd www.butkus.us
-light source position.

-il-

View original page 12

Page 13 · Read text

www.butkus.us

Table of incident lie'ht:
1. you can measure incident light by holding the meter near the subject and pointing toward'
the camera. The table (see page 12) is for the explanation of how to use the multiplier to'
multiply the value measured by an ordinary method'
The example of using the table is as follows;
when -t-1 is to be be added to theneedle indication, this has tobeset to the reading *1 on the-
right hand side of the arrow mark (Without setting it to the arrow mark) and make calculation-
1. The Position of the multiplier tobe 2. Meter at subject-position pointing
set to'the needle indication. toward key light.
lighti Iighting _ Iighting !ieb!i"g_
a. Average Arrow Arrow Arrow a. Averagesubject. +* +xx i-t*t( suDJect. (studio) \t"ty-
b. bright
subject.
Very
c. dark + +
subject. subject. (No sun
d. Snow + + Arrow
scenes. ;? If The key light is near the camera use
e. Marine + Arrow Arrow the arrow. scenes.
;e:? This setting gives exposure for high light.
*x* 'This setting gives rim-lighted effect.
!'or normal exposure' tlse method l-a.

-12-

View original page 13

Page 14 · Read text

Table of incident light:
1. You can measure incident light by holding the meter near the subject and pointing towaril"
the camera. The table (see page 12) is for th: explanation of how to use the multiplier to-
multiply the value measured by zrr ordinary method.
'Ihe example of using the table is as follows ;
when *1 is to be be added to the needle indication, this has to beset to the reading *1 on the-
right hand side of the arrow mark (Without setting it to the arrow mark) and make calculation.
1. The Position of the multiplier tobe 2. Meter at subject-position pointing
- toward key light. set to the needle indication.
ront Si
lighting lighting lighting lighting lighting lighting
Average Average a. subject. Arrow Arrow Arrow a. subject. +x +** +x*x
( studio) Very
bright subject. subject. +
Very (Sunlight)
dark + + subject. subject. +
Snow (No sun) + + Arrow
;? If The key light is near the camera use
Arrow Arrow the arrow.
;r':i This setting gives exposure for high light.
*x* This setting gives rim-lighted effect.
Ilor normal exposure, tlse method l-a.
*12-

View original page 14

Page 15 · Read text

www.butkus.us

I
( 6 I Method for measuring refleeted light.
Be sure the reflected light attachment (Phctogrid) is firmly seated in place on the rneter. l{cw'
hold the meter close to the subject and measure the reflected light from the subject, (or bright*
ness of the subject).
In this case, hold the meter at the distance of 15-30 cm. a
from the subject, so that the shadow of the meter may not
fall on the subject of which the brightness is to be measured.
Measuremeni will be made by using the red arrow mark. :s.';l
For low illuminating power put the hood in it:: place. Read the needle indication directly and make ordinary calculation 'i
by using the red arrow mark *2.
I\[easurement for various cases will be explained as follows :

1. Practically all outdoor exposures can be measured by.
pointing the camera at the subject or scene. Hold the meter
approximately level with the camera position and point in the
same direction as the camera is pointing.
After reading the indication of the needle, marke calcula-
tion. by setting the red arrow mark to the indicated figure.
Hold your palm or other thing over the meter, lest bright
-13-

View original page 15

Page 16 · Read text

r--

light from the sky and especially a bright lqminous body will not affect on the meter.
2. In photographing people, a good exposure
is obtained by making a clode-up reading on
the face. This rnethod gives proper exposure "+T,i$ .i't
to the acttral subject, and the measurement is ..::;:;9
not influenced by background details. q
The multiplier is * in this case.

3. If the subject is inaccessible, subjects in .
the same illumination which have like charac-
teristics may be substituted. For example, when
it is'not convenient to make a close-up reading,
-ut a measurement on the palm of your " hand. Should the subject be in a shadow, hold
the hand in a shadow also. In this case, the
indication of the multiplier is set at the position
of * of the red arrow.

-14-

View original page 16

Page 18 · Read text

6.  Lightest object method"""take'a close-up reading of
the lightest portion of the scene that is in the brightest light,
and set to the position corresponding *3 of the arrow rnarl<.
'This method is most useflu when minimum exposure for high
:lights is acquired without sacrificing shadow detail'
  Darkest object method"""take a close-up reading of the
,darkest part of the subject that is in the shadow, and set the
 intiicated value to the position corresponding to-3.
'This method is most useful when shadow detai! must be
;included in an exposure for a scene of great brightness range.

  7.  Scanning.
  Measurement cf the brightness of different parts of a scene is called scanning. The reading of
 the multiplier indicates the scanning facilitates the scenes for improving tone for color reproduction.
For detail see P l6-P  77.





                                  -16-

View original page 18

Page 19 · Read text

www.butkus.us

L Table of reflected lisht measurernent. (7 )' Attachments for Point meter at scene frorn carnera pcsition.l. " Multiplier setting to the needle. rneasurement.
Sicle Front Back 1. The Photosphere is an attachment lighting lighting . lighting
(,n) Average for measuring the effective illuminating
subject Red with + +z power of incident lieht for photographv, arrow average and is used for the exposure deterrnin-
background.
o) Light ation by incident light.
subject I?.ed i 'Ihe numerical value obtained by using with + +2 "' light ,..t* this attachment is the standard for
background. exposure calculation. Dilrk
(o) subject Red rvith +I fz 2. The Photodisk is a milkwhite titan- arrow ium-white-acryl plate used for the exact dark
background. deterrnination of the standard illuminating IrI) Lieht
subject Red power of the incident iliumination, at:il
with Arrow dark also is used for lighting contrast control..
background. It is tr.sed for duplicating the illumin-
(e) Dark
subject ating power at future photographing and.
witlt + +2 +3 also for measuring the illuminating power'' light
background. 3. The Photogrid is for rneasurin'4:
--17-

View original page 19

Page 21 · Read text

www.butkus.us



 White Photodisk
  The Photodisk rnay be used to measure illumnation not only for photography, but also for
'expressing the standard indoor or outdoor illuminating power.
   In photography, the meter with the hood in place held at the subject position and pointed at a
 light source measures the intensity of light that falls on the subject. By rneasuring each lieht in
 this way, it  is possible for the photographer to make records of any set-up, and so enables him
 to duplicate his lighting at any future time.
 Howeveri by far the most important use of
 the meter with the Photodisk in place' is to
 measure the contrast ratio between main and
  fill- in  lisht for close-ups to duplicate the
 best tone.
  The meter needle reads directly in Foot-
'Candles. About the contrast ratio, an expl-
 , anation is given as follows.
 Masurng contrast ratio  :
  : l.  Hold the metef.at the subject position
:"and point Photodisk at  light. Read light
 ,intensity.
                              *19-

View original page 21

Page 22 · Read text

F

2. l\.{easr-rre the light intensitv at the dark part of the subject. Shield the Photodisk from ryain
light rvith your hand.
3. If the main lisht reads10,000Luxandthefill_inIightreadS2,b00Lti{,...
Lighting contrast ratio=.J0'.333 : ?
- ?.;
. After'the lighting cpntrast ratio is set to the yalue required by adjusting the position or strength'
of the fill-in lights the Photodisk is removed from the. meter and the Photosphere is' replaced.
'Ihe exposure is now determined in the usual way. - :
From the above explanation, it is shown that keeping the main light constant, varying the fill-in,
light changes the contrast ratio of the lighting. :
Furthermore, the Photodisk is very convenient attaclrment in the case of using colour'films.
This fill-in light should,be I/4 of the intensity of the rnain light for the best results in colour.
For more dramatic effects in Black-and-white, a high ratio as littte as 1/16 of the sun light in
intensitv mav be used.
The Fhotogrid.

:: The Photogrid may be used for two important measurernents.
1. The Photogrid is usedd for brigirtness range control, .(In photography, the subject of the
strongest contrast renders it difficult to duplicate natural tone, and the photogrid is used for the:,
purpcse of brightness range control).
-20;

View original page 22

Page 23 · Read text

www.butkus.us

. 2. 'Ihe Photogrid is used for the reflected-light typq exposure determination.
1. Light balancing :
Brightness is the unit to express the strength of brilliancy caused by incident light falling on a
'surface with certain refiexibility.
lJsually an unit called Radlux is used. To measure this, it is necessary to use the Photogrid.
2. The measurement of brightness to obtain the acculate elements for photographing and its
meaning i
(a) Measurement is made by incident-tight method with bright bulb in place.
(b) In this case, the nurnerical value indicated by the red arrow m.ark corresponding to that
which is indicated by the rn'hite arrow mark, is the exact midpcint cf the brightness range. (means
reflexibility)
19) For example, the exposure determination for Sakura-natural-colour (ASA 10) requires 'the
setting of the white arrow mark to 500, then it is found that the shutter speed is 1/1C sec, and
f-stop is 4.5.
(d) Replace the Photosphere q'ith the Photogrid. In this case, the indication of the metet' is to
be set to the red arrow mark.
(e) Furtherrnore, the exposure measurement with the Photosphere requires the setting of the
white arrow mark to 500, the red mark then indicates 16. 16 is the midpoint of the brightnes ranEie.
It represents the reading that would be obtained from the 18% reflexibiiity of the standard
,medium gray card.
(f) If, however, the red arrow mark indicates off the zero reading, the light level is so low that
-21 -

View original page 23

Page 24 · Read text

no usable reading can be obtained with the Photogrid. It represents that no good tone may be'.
obtained.
(g) When the Photogrid is used, the f-stop of the meter must be opened to full.
(h) With the Photogrid in place the meter should be held at the place about 15 cm. from the*
subject, that any reading error may not be introduced.
(i) If the brightness area be 64 and the darkest area be 4, nung" 6j :16 to 1 4
(i) Most colour transparency materials will reproduce colour properly, provided that the objects,
in the scene are not'more than 4 times brighter than the midpoint, nor 4 times darker than the
mid-point.
If any area read with the Photogrid in the previous example was higher than 64, its colour rvill;
appear washed out. The light intensity falling upon it should be reduced by shading slightly that
area from the light.
' Areas darker than 4 w-ill have to be brightened by concentrating more light on these area, if
proper colour is to be expected.
(kl Determine exposure in usual way with the Photosphere in place, and then regulate the.
brightness range by the use of the Photogrid. Thus the
brightness range regulation which gives the most natural
tone be will obtained.
3. How to operate the meter as the reflected*light
exposure meter.
-22-

View original page 24

Page 25 · Read text

www.butkus.us

  (1) The photogrid make  it  possible to get an exposure ibading as the reflected-light-type
€xposure meter, for the midpoint of the brightness is determined by the reflected-light, and frorn-
this midpont the exposure may be determined.   .
  (2i Exposures may be obtained with the red arrow mark, when the rneter is used as the'
reflected-light exposure meter with the Photogrid in place.
  4. The method of determining the low illuminating power by the reflected-light exposure meter
using the Hood:
  (1) The Hood should always be seated to match the camera angle so that the reflected-light-
with the angle of 50o may be measured.
  (2) When the Hood is used, *2  of. the red arrow mark must be used for calculation
  (3i The sensibility has been elevated to measure the exposure in very dark light.
  (4) The calculating method for reflected-ligt exposure meter is the same as described above.
  How to use the Photohood is explained as above, but even in the case of the reflected-light
type exposure meter, the lighting contrast must be regulated by the reflector or the light source
so that the contrast ratio may be at least 4 in the case of the natural colour, and over 16 in the
case cf the monochromatic  light.



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                l,.i

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             l
                              -23-

View original page 25

Document details

Search available document text