what is the best type of exposure meter to buy for photography?

Question

I take 98 percent of my pictures in ambient light what would be the best exposure meter?
What is the best if your going to use flash?

Answer 1

For setting flash exposure you'll want a flash meter. There are numerous models available that are dedicated for use with flash. The Minolta Flash Meter V is one example.

Then there are the reflected light meters such as the Minolta Spotmeter M which measures a 1 degree spot of light reflected from your subject. Pentax, Gossen and Sekonic are also good brands.

Next, there are incident light meters which are used to measure the light actually hitting your subject. There are several brands currently available.

There are also combination meters like the Minolta Spotmeter F which can be used for metering flash or reflected light. Sekonic, Gossen and Pentax offer similar models.

Although out of production, the Minolta Spotmeter F still commands a premium price on ebay.

Answer 2

I don't think you really need a lightmeter for ambient light. Most camera bodies come with pretty decent reflected light meters.

If you do a LOT of flash photography then you do need a decent lightmeter capable of taking readings to adjust for flash. BUT...if you want to use this feature you need to have a PC socket on your camera body (and on the off camera flash, if you use one) to trigger the flash from the meter or the body and get an incident reading from your subject.

I use an older Sekonic L-508 (incident/reflective/flash/1 degree spot) and it has a PC socket. The newest units come with an optional RF module to trigger Pocket Wizard but for what I do a $10 15 ft PC wire is more than enough.

The entry level Sekonic is the L-308 &L-358 ($190 & 240 on B&H) but they don't come with a spot meter (extra $140 or 160 for 5 or 1 deg attachment for the L-358 only), if you don't need one then don't bother. Like someone else said Minolta, Gossen etc all make decent lightmeters (with incident flash function)

Answer 3

Since it seems to me from your previous question that you use a Holga, I don't think you're going to need any light meter at all.

If you have a digital camera, usually they will have built in meter that are able to handle most situation unless you're a photographer who really knows what you're doing and are very exacting on what you want, then you might want to get a light meter. But based from your question, I guess you still have a long way to be "in the know."