ambient lightmeter..flat diffuser or spherical?

slip · 10-14-2012, 03:44 PM

I need to get a new diffuser for my lightmeter. If you could choose, which one is more useful? spherical or flat?
pros and cons?
would the flat one be better when setting up a small 2 or 3 flash studio? (non continuous lighting)

any opinions welcomed

thanks

randy

**maxfield_photo** · 10-14-2012, 04:29 PM

It depends on what you want to meter. For three dimensional objects the dome is best; for illumination of a flat object like a backdrop the flat diffuser is best. The flat is also good for metering individual lights for the purposes of setting/checking your lighting ratio. If I had to choose one though, it would be the dome. You can always shield it with your hand if you don't want other lights to interfere with your reading, but you can't make a flat diffuser take a three dimensional sampling.

slip · 10-14-2012, 04:44 PM

Originally posted by maxfield_photo

It depends on what you want to meter. For three dimensional objects the dome is best; for illumination of a flat object like a backdrop the flat diffuser is best. The flat is also good for metering individual lights for the purposes of setting/checking your lighting ratio. If I had to choose one though, it would be the dome. You can always shield it with your hand if you don't want other lights to interfere with your reading, but you can't make a flat diffuser take a three dimensional sampling.

thanks!
shield, like to make a sort of lens hood effect?

randy

**maxfield_photo** · 10-14-2012, 04:58 PM

Yes, exactly, just cup your hand and hold it over the sensor parallel to the way the dome is pointing. Or you can turn off all the strobes except the one you're metering, takes a little longer, but it works.

Ratmagiclady · 10-15-2012, 09:11 PM

Flat diffusers are basically specialized for light sources falling on a flat surface. If you have to ask, you want the dome, basically.

10-14-2012, 03:44 PM	#1
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535	ambient lightmeter..flat diffuser or spherical? I need to get a new diffuser for my lightmeter. If you could choose, which one is more useful? spherical or flat? pros and cons? would the flat one be better when setting up a small 2 or 3 flash studio? (non continuous lighting) any opinions welcomed thanks randy

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10-14-2012, 04:29 PM	#2
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	It depends on what you want to meter. For three dimensional objects the dome is best; for illumination of a flat object like a backdrop the flat diffuser is best. The flat is also good for metering individual lights for the purposes of setting/checking your lighting ratio. If I had to choose one though, it would be the dome. You can always shield it with your hand if you don't want other lights to interfere with your reading, but you can't make a flat diffuser take a three dimensional sampling.

10-14-2012, 04:44 PM	#3
slip Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: 2 hours north of toronto ontario canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,535 Original Poster	Originally posted by maxfield_photo It depends on what you want to meter. For three dimensional objects the dome is best; for illumination of a flat object like a backdrop the flat diffuser is best. The flat is also good for metering individual lights for the purposes of setting/checking your lighting ratio. If I had to choose one though, it would be the dome. You can always shield it with your hand if you don't want other lights to interfere with your reading, but you can't make a flat diffuser take a three dimensional sampling. thanks! shield, like to make a sort of lens hood effect? randy

10-14-2012, 04:58 PM	#4
maxfield_photo Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,216	Yes, exactly, just cup your hand and hold it over the sensor parallel to the way the dome is pointing. Or you can turn off all the strobes except the one you're metering, takes a little longer, but it works.

10-15-2012, 09:11 PM	#5
Ratmagiclady Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: GA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,563	Flat diffusers are basically specialized for light sources falling on a flat surface. If you have to ask, you want the dome, basically.