This looks like an interesting product.

[Charade]

http://www.adorama.com/PVOS14.html

 

[jann1033]

is that works and isn't a pain to learn to use it would be good for me with my non af macro tube

 

[0bli0]

i have one similar that i picked up in japan. it's a reflector on one side which is a good size for faces. the other side is 18% grey for exposure. you can also use it for white balance.

remember you can also use the palm of your hand for exposure!

 

[jann1033]

i have one similar that i picked up in japan. it's a reflector on one side which is a good size for faces. the other side is 18% grey for exposure. you can also use it for white balance.

remember you can also use the palm of your hand for exposure!

since my hand would take up less room in my bursting to overflowing bag, do you just focus and lock the exposure on your palm?

 

[0bli0]

yup - extend your arm and lock exposure on your palm, but not the focus.

 

[boBQuincy]

Remember that most palms have about one stop more reflectance than the 18% gray the camera's meter is calbrated to. Metering off your palm will require adding one stop to the indicated exposure in order to approximate the 18% gray card.

Ansel Adam's book "The Negative" uses the Zone System to explain why none of this is necessary and how to determine correct exposure by metering the subject.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

just use spot meter on the subject (if you want to be that accurate) and snap away.

 

[boBQuincy]

Metering the subject will give great results if the subject is 18% gray (and if that is how you intend to represent the subject).

If the subject is lighter or darker than 18% , or if you intend to show the subject lighter or darker than what it actually is, then some exposure adjustment must be made to the meter readings.

 

[Kelly Grannell]

the most accurate way is by using Expodisc. A tad pricey but it's always spot-on accurate.

 

[boBQuincy]

The Expodisc transmits 18% of the source light to give the same results as a properly used gray card. Like the gray card, it can not and will not take into account the intent of the photographer. It merely sets everything to Zone V.

For a literal interpretation of the subject, this is fine. For any other interpretation of the subject neither a gray card nor an Expodisc will make the exposure adjustment required.
We have a tool (Zone System) that takes care of all this, but very few photographers care to spend the time to learn it and use it.

 

[jann1033]

just use spot meter on the subject (if you want to be that accurate) and snap away.

my meter doesn't work with my cheap ex tubes so now that i think about it this won't help ...i saw Bob's suggested book don't know if that would be old enough to include non electric metering as don't know how old it is but figuring it had to be way before digital( don't know when AA died)