Originally posted by JCSullivan Seaain (is that the equivelant of Shane?) what's a flash meter, is that the same as a light meter?
JC... actually yes, the spelling Seaain is archaic for Shane. Pronounced exactly the same.
A flash meter is a light meter which is capable of capturing a flash and measuring it ... So you set it to ISO 100, 1/180th for example, set the flash meter to flash mode, place it where the subject will be or have him/her hold it, and fire off a flash. It tells you what f/stop to use. Done. Fini. Over. A good one will also allow you to change a parameter such as ISO and see the effect of f/stop value.
Since I tend to always be shooting in a manual mode, in order to get my non P-TTL flashes to fire, this is a godsend. It gets me right to work.
I use a Sekonic L308S Flashmate. In addition to being a very good flash meter it is also a plain Jane ambient AND incident light meter. I am a little embarrassed to reveal that though I shoot with a lot of vintage film cameras, some older than myself, I usually METER with a Sekonic digital. (Harump says the purist in me...)
Sekonic L-308S FLASHMATE
You can usually get them new for about $160.00... there is one on eBay right now for about that price. I picked mine up in near unused condition for about $85.00.
Hope this helps...
Seaain