BGWG #1: Light Meters & Basil Hayden's Bourbon

[@pwitkop]

The 508 I bought years ago as a student has a scale on the bottom, I'm sure there was a few models over the years and you're right, would be a much worse meter without that. The thing is with the 508, it's a generalist. It will do everything, and it's a good enough generalist it'll do everything competently, whatever you're doing. But that Pentax, it does one thing. It does it simply, and it does it really well. If I had to pick one meter for everything, forever, it has to be the 508. It can do everything. But if I only had one meter for work on the field, outdoors, Pentax every time. And it is pretty versatile, you can take, effectively, and incident reading with it with a pocket grey card.

[@hristorbital]

I love how the dog just chills around and wakes up from time to time to check up on you :D

[@realitytunnel]

Totally agree about Pentax spot vs combined incident/spot meters - the latter are overly complex and badly thought-out, whereas the Pentax spot is elegant design, all you need and nothing more. Perfect. Love Tess, she was either riveted by this video, or she had been at the bourbon before you got there!

[@randallstewart175]

Nick loves his Pentax Digital Spotmeter, but if you look closely, that's not what he has. His is a Zone VI modified version. The difference? A stock Pentax Digital Spot is famous (???) for its lack of color linearity, meaning that measurements of a subject with different colors will yield different results for different colors which should give the same exposure measurement. Zone VI bought stock Pentax meters, torn down the optical system, replaced parts and added correction filters, solving the problems but killing a stop or two of its sensitively. Zone VI added about $200 to the price and resold. Nice if you can find one. Alternative: Minolta Spotmeter, M or F versions, which are just about perfect in every respect including color response, even easier to use than the Pentax,, and commonly a bit less pricey.

[@nickcarverphoto]

You are correct. Although I now have both a standard Pentax Spot Meter and this Zone VI modified version. Still need to put some more miles on the regular one but based on some cursory tests it seems the biggest difference between the two is that the Zone VI reads highlights at a lower EV value than the standard version.

[@ron5935]

Pentax is also my fav. Had it for maybe 30 years, or a very long time. My usual use is ever the deep shadow and brightest highlight, average the two and put on Zone 5. The palm of my hand is Zone VI. Oak trees are 5, cross lit snow is 6.5, green spring grass is 5. This my alternative method if a known value can be found.

[@LennyG2006]

I seriously thought at the 5 minute mark you were going to drink it straight from the bottle. I was wrong.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Haha! That would have been classy.

[@stephenhopkins1068]

I used a Gossen incident meter for 35 years and it never let me down. with any meter system you need to understand light. hell sunlight travels 93 million miles to get to us. if you understand what that means in terms of metering it won't matter what kind of meter you're using. really Nick, Ansel knew what he was talking about. and I certainly hope that any training you're planning includes his wisdom on the subject. the grayscale works as you well know, and as long as you understand that, any meter will do. ah shit I gotta stop drinking. have a good night and i'm looking forward to more of your content here. thanks, Nick.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Amen to everything you said here. And don't you worry, I will be giving Ansel his due. His Zone System is so popular for a reason.

[@letmebereal]

Hi Nick, what do you think of pentax V spotmeter. Cheers.

[@cestlefun17]

Whiskey + Photography??!! I'm sticking around. :-D

[@Rocking_J_Studio]

Drinks and darkrooms go together. So does a photography discussion with a glass of your favorite. Great choice!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Amen to that.

[@weschilton]

Just don't grab a bottle of fixer by mistake! ;)

[@Rocking_J_Studio]

I think stop bath would be worse. That, or C41 Blix.

[@TarrelScot]

Anyone tried developing in bourbon?

[@Rocking_J_Studio]

I've never had bourbon around long enough to use as developer! lol! That could be interesting. I wonder how long you'd leave it in the 'soup'?

[@Patsesson]

Cool Beans! Yet another entertaining video with ice cold facts!

[@euanshields184]

Yo Nick Please do a video on the Mamiya RZ67!! Love to hear your thoughts on it

[@nickcarverphoto]

That's a good idea.

[@filminrussia7095]

@@nickcarverphoto don't bury this idea, Nick! It's been a year and a half since this message!

[@natebrav-mccabe3816]

My three favorite things: 1. Photography 2. Whiskey 3. Your Channel Love this idea, I'll be watching and drinking along. If you haven't tried it already, I recommend Angel's Envy, it's a great bourbon. I'll also be first in line for that course.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Yeah! Top 3 baby!

[@ronlongmore9275]

Excellent combination of categories ! Although I've never mixed alcohol with photography, I do enjoy smoking a cigar when I'm out with the 4X5. Usually something inexpensive, but every once in a while a Montecristo goes along for the ride.

[@andrethibault1410]

Looking forward to more behind the glass, with a glass....awsome man!!! Cant wait to see about the light meter also!! I go nuts when i see you have posted another vid! Keep up the great work!!!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you very much!

[@aramb]

Heh, you'll laugh, but I have the analog predecessor - Pentax Spotmeter V.

[@farouk6564]

Great new show idea Nick. for drinks ideas how about wheat beer, hoegaarden is one of my favorite summer beverage. looking forward to upcoming videos.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thanks! I'll definitely get some wheat beers going on this series. I really love hefeweizen beers.

[@peter-robinson]

The price of these meters has gone up since a year ago when I got my 1st one. I want a spare and can’t find one at a good price. Darn video, take it down! haha

[@steveh1273]

Nick, I have 2 Pentax spot meters, for the zone system. One is by Zone VI like yours which I bought in the early 80's; the other is not a Zone VI altered meter but performs just as good as the Zone VI. I totally agree with you, easy to use! No complications! Does the Sekonix give you an EV from its spot meter? Something to judge what aperture and shutter speed will give you zone 5? BTW, John Sexton and Alan Ross still use these meters (Ansel's former assistants).

[@nickcarverphoto]

The Sekonic can give EV readings and delta EV calculations, which can be used to read contrast ratios, but the only way it can give a shutter and aperture is based on a Zone V reading. You can use a filter factor adjustment to make it read for other zones, but I find it a lot less useful and intuitive than the Pentax. And yeah man John Sexton and Alan Ross. Those guys are the real deal.

[@Michael-jl8ev]

Hey Nick, I have to say, I absolutely love this series idea - and what a way to kick it off! Great job. Look forward to seeing your online courses.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Glad to hear that! Thank you!

[@tommyben755]

I dont mean to be offtopic but does any of you know of a tool to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot the account password. I love any help you can give me.

[@adrianandres4928]

@Tommy Ben Instablaster :)

[@tommyben755]

@Adrian Andres i really appreciate your reply. I found the site thru google and im trying it out now. Takes a while so I will get back to you later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@tommyben755]

@Adrian Andres It worked and I now got access to my account again. I'm so happy:D Thanks so much, you really help me out !

[@FinersDiner]

Pupperoony going HAM on that invisible lollypop in the end there I LOVE IT. But before becoming distracted by doggo, I really quite enjoyed the new segment and I am so looking forward to the next one. HINT: try some "High West Campfire" next. Thank me later.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Haha - yeah she was working up a yawn. Weird quirk of hers. And I'll add High West Campfire to my list. Thanks!

[@bringmore146]

Hi Nick! What type of battery do you use in your Digital Spotmeter? Is there an accuracy difference between silver-oxide and lithium? I wasn't able to find a 6V (not a 6.2V) silver-oxide battery which the manual recommends. Thanks!

[@UTAZCO.Overland]

I have the Sekonic L-858D-U I use a lot in studio. For my landscape/fine art work, I almost exclusively use the Pentax spotmeter. Nothing beats its simplicity and speed to analyze a scene. Oh, and I prefer single malts :)

[@1717jbs]

Looking forward to the new series and online courses. Also, the video on Velvia 100 ;-)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you! And thanks for the reminder.

[@Barzyz01]

yes, I'd really pay attention to a Velvia 100 video especially on metering for it. I just have a devil of a time with that film.

[@Danielloveschicken]

This is the best most therapeutic video... All the things I love. Thank you Thank you Nick!

[@weschilton]

Ah whisky and photography... love it. I have a dram quite often when doing astrophotography, or editing my daylight photography. Excellent.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Yeah that's a good pairing - astrophotography and some whiskey. And good word - "dram."

[@weschilton]

Haha, its good to learn a new word every day! FYI, another very good sipping bourbon is Knob Creek.

[@pablovi77]

A Spotmeter V would be the same, but without the digital EV number? They’re a lot cheaper.

[@roiloubia4483]

Exactly. The Pentax spotmeter V is the same as the Digital version with the difference you mentioned. I love the V version. Much cheaper. I got mine calibrated by George Milton in California around 12-13 years ago, just to be safe. Never failed me in my meterings.

[@insightvideo6136]

Fantastic video, and couldn’t agree more with your perspective on meters. Thanks!

[@GaetanCormier]

Another fine episode! Can't wait for more BGWG :) Bring on the red wine !!!! Cheers!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you!

[@stanmorgan4628]

I own two analog and one digital Pentax spot meter for precisely the reasons stated.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Love a good analog meter. So simple in design.

[@freesewatches335]

Great video, great idea great images. I am 41 years old and from my experience nostalgia is something that you experience differently through life, I would suggest that you need to make the book now, as your response to nostalgia and the past will change as you continue through life. This is my personal experience and it may also apply to you. Good luck with the book, you've got to do it!

[@davinshootsfilm7186]

I think I found my new favourite photo KZbin series

[@nickcarverphoto]

That's what I like to hear!

[@GRAYnomad]

That Pentax meter is the duck's guts for landscape work. All I've ever used.

[@flam3srock]

Have you tried the sverdlovsk-4? Another great and simple meter.

[@nickcarverphoto]

I have not. Looks like some sweet soviet-era goodness though.

[@martagonzalesfineart3605]

Wow Nick, I have the dog, Lola a 7 year old beagle, I have the Pentax and the Sekonic and I agree...love my Pentax , I have the lots of glass.........and my bottle of choice today would be a shot of Mezcal with orange wedges and grasshopper salt :). I’m going to enjoy this series!

[@LensEthics]

I’m considering purchasing a used Pentax spotmeter, (Standard stock) 😉. My question, if you can assist, is very specific to the red led light. When taking a reading and the led light comes on, is it normal to be able to see the internals ie led electronic contacts etc. with the illumination of the led light. I expected to see the ev number illuminated on total blacked out small panel. Every time I take a reading it’s like looking inside the guts of the meter with a red flash light and ev displayed. Weird.

[@marvineastman460]

Cant wait to get in on that metering course! Should I be getting a zone 6 modified version?

[@nickcarverphoto]

I have both and I prefer the non-modified version.

[@marvineastman460]

Cool, looking forward to the course!

[@MichaelWellman1955]

What a great concept. Like you I love photography and I love my bourbon. Looking forward to this series while drinking some good bourbon with ya.

[@rubenkapelle9721]

Drinking a Bushmills 10 yrs here. I love this new video concept Nick.

[@photog1529]

I'll be looking forward to your film metering class. In the mean time, for your imbibing pleasure, I'd recommend trying some Bulleit Bourbon Frontier Whisky poured into a glass over an ice ball with a Luxardo cherry frozen inside. By the time you finish the drink and get to the cherry, its been infused with the flavors of the bourbon...pure pleasure and extends the enjoyment.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Love it. That sounds delicious.

[@gregkent3748]

I paused the video and got the buffalo trace bourbon in hand (loaded with ice) and watching the new series! I can’t let you drink alone! Great video! Keep em coming.

[@NJ1810]

I mainly shoot cityscapes and architecture and always feel a little uncertain using my incident light meter. Sometimes I cary around a 35mm SLR with a long focal length to have something like a spot meter at hand. The extra weight is annoying though when you're also carying a medium format camera with 2-3 lenses + tripod around. Maybe I should invest a few bucks. Looking forward to more videos of this series! Especially the comparison of a drum scan with a flatbed scan. That's something I have been wondering about for quite a while.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Yeah I hear you on that. I do a lot of architectural photography too and an incident light meter would probably drive me nuts.

[@toolateforaname]

Did you just pick up the sekonic for the course or have you used extensively, EXTENSIVELY?

[@nickcarverphoto]

E--X--T--E--N--S--I--V--E--L--Y

[@roiloubia4483]

Me too I noticed that too, a bit a contradiction there, oh well. But I still agree with him regarding the Pentax Digital Spotmeter, though you can get the Pentax Spotmerer V, instead for much cheaper, and does exactly the same thing, just you read the EV on the scale, instead of digitally. Ansel Adam's used both actually, along with a Gossen Luna-Pro SBC incident light meter.

[@lee1]

Keep these coming mate.....love your KZbin channel!!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you! Will do!

[@sdb5852]

Enjoying a glass of Marquis de Villard French Brandy in Canada, while awaiting delivery of a new Epson V850!

[@scruffkingman]

I LOVE basil haydens and light meters wow someone that love basil too..i tell people about it all the time

[@stephenlloydco]

Cameras and grog? Hell yes, my friend. Hell yes.

[@davidfearn8635]

Goodness me, don't large-format guys have all the fun; so loving this: methinks you're even channelling a bit of Bill "Suntory Time" Murray. Makes me crave to be back in Scotland again, for the natural combo of enjoying nicely exposed chromes alongside a single malt. Interesting and informed commentary on spot meters, joking aside. Sekonic user (758) here: I'd like a Pentax (or two), but worry about damaging and not having a spare, esp. now that the price for a good used one is somehow about to skyrocket! I think the Sekonics are indeed excellent, but they're by no means cheap, and you have to spend a great deal of time and practice to figure out the best way to make them work simply for you, since they're over-stuffed with features and controls. Placing values to base an exposure around without making errors (esp. for slide) is certainly more difficult than it ought to be, though by no means impossible. In some ways it's actually a helpful reminder to up one's game when shooting slide film - where complacency with exposure *always* bites. The average function, often advocated, is useful and good but in my experience by no means always the best way of using one. Thanks for a great video.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Chromes in Scotland with single malt. I can't think of many better ways to spend a day. I hear you on the meters. The Pentax meters are so pricey and becoming more and more rare. I really wish a manufacturer would come along with a new manufacture meter that works the same way. And I agree about the averaging method of manual metering - not nearly predictable and precise enough for my liking.

[@juanpatricio9204]

Great idea Nick! I'll be looking forward to this series!

[@asyukr]

Hi Nick, thank you for your recommendation. I bought this Pentax and absolutely love it over my Sekonic D478D. From the first roll with Pentax all frames are even, well exposed. The scale with the dynamic range of film on this Pentax helps me a lot. Next in my plan is to buy your online course about exposure metering.

[@nickcarverphoto]

That’s awesome, my friend. Such a great meter (and getting harder to come by).

[@ivangoondic]

Do you think I could use my Canon EOS 3 as a spotmeter for large format and 6x9? Basically it's a DSLR that uses 35mm film with modern canon lenses and has a spot meter. So i thought that I could maybe meter the zones with it and then just use the same settings on LF? I know I can't get an EV reading on EOS3. I could maybe hook a 50mm 1.8 canon lens to eos 3, dial in the ASA of the 6x9 roll film i'm using on LF, set the same apreture on both Canon and Horseman (super Topcor 90) and meter to get the correct shutter speed on Canon so that I can use the same setting on Horseman. I know it does not work with digital sensors but this might work because bith cameras use film? Would the bellows on LF make any difference for spot metering compared to 35mm slr?

[@luissamaniego5064]

I fully agree. The Pentax spotmeter is the best photometer instrument I have used. It is simple and reliable. For me the best ever. Thanks Nick for your great videos. They are informative, useful and well done. I would have loved to listen your course on manual metering when I was learning the theory behind the zone system. I am certain that many students will profit from it. I will try to get a bottle of bourbon you recommend ... I will let you know...

[@thedubc]

I use my Pentax Spot meter almost exclusively. I have a Minolta Auto Meter IV... that I use in studio, for portrait work, and for one abstract photo photo project - using Provia 100 - from moving objects where I just needed immediate incident light metering as I was throttling the shutter over long exposures. You can download a 'Zone System' graph and tape it on the top of the Pentax. Nothing special. No modifications. It is the best form of metering for any on tripod work. If you want to be really confident in your metering, use the Pentax against your in-camera averaging meters, and see the difference. The 5 minutes it will take you to learn how to use the Pentax - understanding EV's, considering the DR of your film / digital back - and what you are looking to create out of your photo - you will see how easy it is, and how it will change the way you use other cameras with built-in meters.

[@Qigate]

Your videos are always so much fun! Love them.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you, sir!

[@matuszewskistudio]

hey there Nick, maybe you know if it's normal for Pentax spot meter to blink while giving you a read?

[@MrNamaikisaru]

I've got the same meter. Use it with my Toyo field 45a, Pentax 67 and my Hasselblad. Also I've just started a homebrew beer. Japan might be a little far for you to pop round to sample it though. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@thomverhoeven7896]

Great video's Nick, keep them comming. Love the photography on location series. Just unique how you mix humor with pure skill and creativity and sharing that with us!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you!

[@David-oe7cc]

Hey Nick! Planning on getting a scanner myself to scan at home, although I don't really have the budget for the V700 or above. Will the V600 do the job for medium prints?

[@mfiorentino]

Love it! Keep'em coming! *Cheers with a nice glass of Nikka - Pure Malt Red Label*

[@_o__o_]

I just bought a Pentax Digital Spot Meter off eBay purely so i can follow your course! (hopefully soon 🙂) Love your Videos and looking forward for more in the future!

[@Bruce_Mazi]

Its ironic you say a blend of "science a d art " cause when I first discovered your channel I was like this man is a scientist with his approach to photography 🤣

[@neilgenower9950]

Fun video Nick. Consider doing a video on framing. Not in camera but the print itself. Recently got to see an exhibition of Elton John's photography collection at the Tate in London. Nothing too shocking in the images but the framing of the prints was something else (he has his own framer... don;t you know). Mounting and framing can make a huge difference to the photograph. Keep up the videos, most enjoyable and check out a cheeky Irish whiskey called laphroaig.

[@nickcarverphoto]

That's a good idea. Framing is a whole art unto itself.

[@lintownboy]

I always had a feeling that you were a bourbon or whiskey man, feels good to be right. I love the same things, photography and editing images while drinking some Johhny Walker red label and listening to good music :)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Look at me. I'm a white guy in his early thirties with a beard and a 1940's haircut. You're damn right I'm a bourbon man.

[@TheYuhasz01]

I look forward to the new course mentioned in video. Your current videos are my main source for helping me develop my landscape and seascape film- based images. Currently I use Gossen analogue and digital meters(Luna pro and starlight 2)

[@WesTelyea]

Excited for the film metering course!

[@partypie1977]

this is going to be bloody great . cant wait for more mate

[@marekkovac7058]

Hi Nick! thank you for introducing me to beauty of spot light metering. I want to buy a spot meter and I really like the simplicity of pentax, but it's super expensive. I found Minolta spot F which seems to be pretty close. Set iso, measure exposure and use up/down arrows to shift the aperture scale and shutter updates accordingly. What are your thoughts on it as an alternative? Thanks, Marek

[@nickcarverphoto]

I haven't used the Minolta myself, so I can't say for sure. But I will say that an excellent more affordable alternative is the Pentax Spotmeter V. Almost the same exact functionality as the Digital Spotmeter, just in a bigger, more affordable package.

[@marekkovac7058]

@@nickcarverphoto Thanks a lot! I will check it out! You have great videos/pictures, huge inspiration for me.

[@andrewconwayphoto]

As both a photographer and a whisky (or indeed whiskey) nut, I'm hooked!! My tipple's a Caol Ila 12yr old with a dash of water; oily, smokey, nutty, yummy!! Love your work and love your videos Nick. Cheers!

[@colinbazzano]

Bonus note for the bourbon, the American oak barrel must be freshly charred! Cannot reuse a barrel to make bourbon, but you can use the barrels for other things!

[@michaelshoup2703]

Nice! Learned of your site after watching a Joseph Ellis video.. Enjoying your work now as well.. Appears I have some catching up to do.. LOL.. I love photography.. Been shooting since I was a little kid.. Moms Brownie, then my own Kodak Starlet.. Inherited my grandfathers Argus C3, (with TWO lenses!!) Still have all of those, and have enjoyed so many others passing thru my hands over the years.. I'm also happy to see that you appreciate an 'adult' beverage! In moderation, I'm sure.. Wink wink nudge nudge.. I can also be found, from time to time, admiring and indulging in such liquid refreshments.. Sometimes on it's own, other times accompanied with a nice cigar.. I'm no aficionado of either, but find treating myself once or twice a week to be most accommodating.. The time spent caring for my handful of smokes, keeping them happy and humidified in their little brown box, to be akin to working in the garden.. (My wife's flowers are amazing! And photographing them a joy) As for the numerous spirits available these days.. So many great choices.. Searching down the isles, the myriad of shapes & sizes, types & brands.. Not to mention the labeling art! And then the tasting! Some good, some not so much.. Always learning.. Sharing with friends is another great way to add to the experience.. PS: We also have a Jack Russel.. Lucy.. Shes 12, and has us pretty well trained.. Now, I have to say, a white Jack, on a black couch?!? You are either a very brave man, or have the worlds best vacuum cleaner ! Hahahaaa...

[@cgarci19]

I just bought a Pentax Spot meter on eBay, so I’m hoping you get to film your course video soon, so I can learn how to use it correctly!!! 🤔I think we’re all expecting it already since you mentioned it 🤷🏻‍♂️🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 cheers Nick! Great job in all your videos, very inspiring

[@cgarci19]

Also, question, should I buy the sticker for the zone shades for it, they sell them on eBay for like $5 ? I see yours is a little different, you also have the -3,2,1^1,2,3 on it.. I’m sure you know what I’m talking about, the one they sell, compare to yours.

[@TomMasonPhoto]

Love the feel of the video Nick, looking forward to the new content and hearing you drink your way though photography topics!

[@alancrossland3292]

Ha! My favourite two subjects, photography and whisky:) I will need to seek out this burbon, till then I'll settle for glenmorangie sherry cask finish;) oh and interesting info on the light meter.

[@jarrodanderson2188]

Love it! Looking forward to the next one!

[@eadc888]

This has real potential to morph into something like an episode of drunk history. On another note, boy does that Joshua tree photo look good!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you and thank you!

[@tw9535]

The 758-DR has a fantastic 1-degree spot meter. Those ratio incident readouts you were making fun of are not overly complicated. They are for reading main flash versus fill flash, etc. Not complicated, just reading different light sources. For anyone truly interested in learning metering I have five words for you: Tony Corbell. You are welcome.

[@nickcarverphoto]

Oh, is THAT what they're for? Well...I sure have egg on my face. Haha. But yes, I am very aware of what those ratio incident readouts are for. And like I said in the video, I agree that incident meters are very useful for studio work. They're the best. But as for spot metering, which is more what this video is about, I stand by my argument that the Sekonic makes the spot metering process more complicated than it needs to be. The 758-DR spot meter is fantastic so long as you only want to read middle gray. But if you want to read anything other than middle gray, I believe the Pentax does it faster and with fewer steps.

[@tw9535]

Nick Carver Interesting. Good luck to you.

[@VisualOverland]

Drinky Poo's are awesome. Especially when the Edit starts. :-)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Amen.

[@glennstephenson184]

Tess is a very sweet and lovely wee pup:)

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you! She sure is...

[@KyleJPilot]

Picked up a bottle of BHs in Hawaii the other day! Looking forward to trying it out!

[@joerainbow4173]

My fave whiskey is Scapa 16 yr old. Totally recommended, super smooth. Fave meter is the Pentax Spot. :)

[@BarisYener]

I mostly have my DSLR with me. So is there any difference if I just use the spotmeter feature on my DSLR for landscape photography?

[@janoudman2695]

yes and no. There are two issues though. 1: the spot on your camera is larger than a dedicated meter so you might need a telephoto lens to compensate for that. 2: you have to compensate for the transmission loss of the lens on your DSLR (unless you intend to shoot with the DSLR itself).

[@BarisYener]

@@janoudman2695 My Nikon cameras have spot metering per af-field. And the reading is very accurate. The t-stop might be different indeed but that is calculateable. Thanks for your reply tho. :)

[@homesickphotographycomau4107]

got to get one of those meter..... if they stop making. or cant be found, nick carver new digital spot meter.

[@dankspangle]

Ahoy. I use my Ricoh GR (the digital one) as a meter when using my TLRs. I set it to 400 iso ('cos I always use Portra 400) and aperture priority. I dial in my aperture, shift the exposure until I get the balance I want, and read off the shutter speed. It's a light meter with a preview. I've always had good results (but then Portra is _super_ forgiving). How do you feel about that? Is there anything wrong with my method?

[@phil_munro]

Loved it mate, looking forward to the next!

[@Barzyz01]

great video, great stuff. the dog is perfect!

[@nickcarverphoto]

Thank you!

[@joeblow9931]

i have your same scanner...compared a wet scan to a highend hasselblad flextight scan. I actually liked mine better

[@nickcarverphoto]

That's interesting to hear. I've been very curious about those Flextight scanners. They ain't cheap.

[@laureven]

QUESTION: what would be the cheapest and good enough quality camera to buy recommended by You to try to learn Your type of photography. I will never do this as a job but my goal is to do the panorama photos with the cheapest gear possible, so far I have interesting results with my old mobile phone if I stitch photos together, but now I'd like to do it on film ...would be nice to have some direction where to start :)

[@itstimetogo49]

Love your channel Nick. Long time subscriber. Try some Henry McKenna Single Barrel 10 year, bottled in bond. Like good photography locations....McKenna is getting hard to find! Cheers...

[@SeldomlyOften]

Great stuff, can’t wait for the course!

[@FilNenna]

Can you add a digital camera/light box to your drum scan comparison?

[@edwardferry8247]

Problem is the Pentax meters are now very old and no longer made. They can only be found in places like eBay etc and this there is little way of knowing how accurate they may or may not be until bought from say another country. I think people choose the Sekonic because it’s made now, has some form of guaranteed way of purchasing in the country you are in and guarantees as to its meter accuracy, at least in the sense it can be returned etc if things aren’t correct. They both sell for the same price about £380 so I guess people choose the security of the Sekonic rather than necessarily thinking it’s better.

[@christopherreily1895]

"Drinky-Poo" .... Mr. Leahy's photography fireside chat ... LOL

[@CaryAndrewPenny]

Hello from Toronto, great topic! Nick, what are your thoughts on the analog Pentax Spot Meter V?

[@KoenigF50]

Love the idea, can't wait to see what's next! You probably don't need any more gear and I know the Mamiya is a fantastic camera, but have you ever considered trying out a Pentax 6x7/67 to go with your digital spot meter ? : )

[@AndreasLarzon]

Nowadays all new photographers start with digital photography so shooting with film is kinda like starting all over again in a fun way. What advice would you have for someone who wants to start shooting with film. Where to start what to learn and what equipment to buy and so on. Cheers from Sweden.

[@ribbitrocks]

hi nick. big fan, do you offer online class or that course you reference ? on how to use that pentax spot meter? i have one and can't figure how to read it and know what the readings mean.... thanks / jc

[@nickcarverphoto]

The course isn't out yet, but I have been working on it. About 50% complete as of April 29.

[@akbc3247]

Photography, a drink and a beautiful dog? Count me in! btw Tess stole the show

[@abacab1701]

Hi Nick, I am an amateur landscape photographer. How does the Pentax spot meter relate to today's digital cameras? I keep coming across tips on using the histogram and ETTR exposing to the right. Cheers.

[@spl4028]

This is awesome Nick, thanks! Would love an episode explaining a camera with movements and how you use them/it in the field

[@robvanvalkenburg522]

Check the Gossen Starlite 2. It has a Zone system scale. Works great!