How to Buy a Photometer
Photometers measure the amount of light in a given space, which is expressed in "foot candles" or "candlepower." Photometers measure light intensity down to the individual photon count or use a scale to provide a measurement of illumination as an overall count. Photometers are often used in photography and film-making to determine camera settings. Less expensive photometers are often called light meters.
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Instructions
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Buy the proper photometer to meet your specific needs. It is unnecessary to buy an extremely accurate photometer for most amateur photography needs. Amateur photographers will want to purchase a light meter, which is a much scaled down version of a photometer.
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Get a small hand-held photometer for photography needs. Many 35 mm photographers use photometers to adjust their cameras. Film makers need to use photometers to determine the amount of lighting that needs to be added to a scene. Lighting is critical to film making and the amount of illumination can make or break a perfect scene.
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Find the best bargains for photometers and light meters online. Online discounters such as Virtual Village are good Web-based markets for low priced photography accessories (see Resources below).
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Take along a small light meter for variable or low lighting conditions. To capture a high quality image, take a quick light reading and adjust the settings on your camera as carefully as time allows. Carry more than one type of film also to adapt to existing lighting conditions.
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Capture great photographs with a reflected-light meter. This type of meter measures the light reflected by the entire scene and gives photographers a perfectly fine averaged reading for camera setting. A reflected-light meter will deliver more than enough available light information for amateur photography.
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Use an incident-light meter for an even more precise light reading. Incident-light meters can be identified by the translucent ball on the front which is used to gather light. This type of light meter must be taken directly to the subject and pointed back towards the camera to provide the proper setting. For still life and portraits this type of meter produces excellent results.
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Tips & Warnings
Digital light meters are easy to read and often provide photographers with a readout of proper camera settings.
