Uploaded December 2018 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Find full-length BTS on Patreon:
patreon.com/machadovisuals
The long-awaited light meter video is here! It's DENSE with tons of info; once you start to understand a concept, re-watch it again. Then 3 times more. I basically rolled up 1.5 of my college cinematography courses in 18 minutes. It's a lot of info.
I believe this is one of the most in-depth videos on light metering on YouTube. I've always been frustrated with the lack of available resources for aspiring visual storytellers (specifically cinematographers) in regards to light metering, so I grabbed a bunch of friends and we made our own. There are plenty of light meter photography videos, but none that cover the vast expanse that is filmmaking. Exposure is so much more than taking a peek at the waveform and checking false color; it's about understanding how using light can supplement your story.
In this guide, I'll walk through 5 different ways I utilize my light meter on set including incident metering, spot metering, exposure compensation, ISO 1/2, and ∆ EV.
Check out each individual scene here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpuawHhrP4Fye06QLL-EKdHXpeZzfIcsM
If you have questions, drop them in the comments below. I'm happy to clarify all the technical mumbo-jumbo from the video.
How to read a waveform:
KINETEK: youtu.be/x-8o_TvyNjc
KY Productions: youtu.be/VPMRg6QSKmU
Other great light meter videos:
A Tale of Two Meters: youtube.com/watch?v=0iBycrvY91I
Arthur Woo - Do you need a light meter for video? youtube.com/watch?v=2e4yD7igdNw
Features of the newer L-858: youtube.com/watch?v=9uWf12MJw4w
Using a Light Meter: youtube.com/watch?v=QFhO50n8Iiw
Win a Sekonic L-858 Speedmaster
Giveaway details: bit.ly/2rl0YuX
HUGE THANKS TO MY AWESOME CAST/CREW
B camera: Jeremy Le
C camera: George Mentchoukov
AC: Fausto Darquea
AC: Tyler Stefanelli
Stills: Mike Paragas
Grip: Blake Gilmore
Grip: Shane-Mark Gallo
Audio: Q
Model: Savanah Joeckel
Model: Danny Shepherd
Gear used in this video:
Sekonic L-858 (Light Meter): amzn.to/2Bp5BtR
ColorChecker Video (Color chip/grayscale): bhpho.to/2FFfWWp
Camera
Sony FS7 (A, B, C camera): bhpho.to/2FDOsAA
a7R III (D camera): bhpho.to/2FPV4vE
128GB XQD (FS7 media): bhpho.to/2FH4Lg9
Metabones Speedbooster (Lens adapter): bhpho.to/2FDrA4o
FS7 Extension Unit (Timecode Generator): bhpho.to/2FH3rdb
Tentacle Sync E (Timecode Generator): bhpho.to/2FIgGKx
Wooden Camera UMB-1 (Matte box): bhpho.to/2FHOlEa
Schneider RHOdiums (ND .3-2.1): bhpho.to/2FHth0r
HyperCore 150 Gold Mount (camera batteries): bhpho.to/2FFf2t3
Miller CX8 (tripod): bhpho.to/2FHb6rY
Inovativ Scout 42 (camera cart): bhpho.to/2FBfB7c
AFFILIATE LINKS
YouTube Gear
Camera: amzn.to/3n5vqcG
Lens: amzn.to/3YWLnPy
Microphone: amzn.to/3TsvwqQ
Key light: amzn.to/3FENNeV
Modifier: amzn.to/3mVGqJl
Check out my LUT pack here:
machadovisuals.com/luts
My Favorite Variable ND for 4x5 matte boxes:
revarcine.com/?ref=kCv9igIDwuWTP
(use code 'ISTHATARED' for 20% off)
My favorite on-set comms: amzn.to/3uFy2hf
Video gear I use:
kit.co/robchado
Find me on social media:
instagram.com/robchado
twitter.com/robchado
#isthatared
Find full-length BTS on Patreon:
patreon.com/machadovisuals
The long-awaited light meter video is here! It's DENSE with tons of info; once you start to understand a concept, re-watch it again. Then 3 times more. I basically rolled up 1.5 of my college cinematography courses in 18 minutes. It's a lot of info.
I believe this is one of the most in-depth videos on light metering on YouTube. I've always been frustrated with the lack of available resources for aspiring visual storytellers (specifically cinematographers) in regards to light metering, so I grabbed a bunch of friends and we made our own. There are plenty of light meter photography videos, but none that cover the vast expanse that is filmmaking. Exposure is so much more than taking a peek at the waveform and checking false color; it's about understanding how using light can supplement your story.
In this guide, I'll walk through 5 different ways I utilize my light meter on set including incident metering, spot metering, exposure compensation, ISO 1/2, and ∆ EV.
Check out each individual scene here: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpuawHhrP4Fye06QLL-EKdHXpeZzfIcsM
If you have questions, drop them in the comments below. I'm happy to clarify all the technical mumbo-jumbo from the video.
How to read a waveform:
KINETEK: youtu.be/x-8o_TvyNjc
KY Productions: youtu.be/VPMRg6QSKmU
Other great light meter videos:
A Tale of Two Meters: youtube.com/watch?v=0iBycrvY91I
Arthur Woo - Do you need a light meter for video? youtube.com/watch?v=2e4yD7igdNw
Features of the newer L-858: youtube.com/watch?v=9uWf12MJw4w
Using a Light Meter: youtube.com/watch?v=QFhO50n8Iiw
Win a Sekonic L-858 Speedmaster
Giveaway details: bit.ly/2rl0YuX
HUGE THANKS TO MY AWESOME CAST/CREW
B camera: Jeremy Le
C camera: George Mentchoukov
AC: Fausto Darquea
AC: Tyler Stefanelli
Stills: Mike Paragas
Grip: Blake Gilmore
Grip: Shane-Mark Gallo
Audio: Q
Model: Savanah Joeckel
Model: Danny Shepherd
Gear used in this video:
Sekonic L-858 (Light Meter): amzn.to/2Bp5BtR
ColorChecker Video (Color chip/grayscale): bhpho.to/2FFfWWp
Camera
Sony FS7 (A, B, C camera): bhpho.to/2FDOsAA
a7R III (D camera): bhpho.to/2FPV4vE
128GB XQD (FS7 media): bhpho.to/2FH4Lg9
Metabones Speedbooster (Lens adapter): bhpho.to/2FDrA4o
FS7 Extension Unit (Timecode Generator): bhpho.to/2FH3rdb
Tentacle Sync E (Timecode Generator): bhpho.to/2FIgGKx
Wooden Camera UMB-1 (Matte box): bhpho.to/2FHOlEa
Schneider RHOdiums (ND .3-2.1): bhpho.to/2FHth0r
HyperCore 150 Gold Mount (camera batteries): bhpho.to/2FFf2t3
Miller CX8 (tripod): bhpho.to/2FHb6rY
Inovativ Scout 42 (camera cart): bhpho.to/2FBfB7c
AFFILIATE LINKS
YouTube Gear
Camera: amzn.to/3n5vqcG
Lens: amzn.to/3YWLnPy
Microphone: amzn.to/3TsvwqQ
Key light: amzn.to/3FENNeV
Modifier: amzn.to/3mVGqJl
Check out my LUT pack here:
machadovisuals.com/luts
My Favorite Variable ND for 4x5 matte boxes:
revarcine.com/?ref=kCv9igIDwuWTP
(use code 'ISTHATARED' for 20% off)
My favorite on-set comms: amzn.to/3uFy2hf
Video gear I use:
kit.co/robchado
Find me on social media:
instagram.com/robchado
twitter.com/robchado
#isthatared
