Question on metering

Archived from groups: rec.photo.digital (More info?)

"John" <jlinsk@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:ZxRje.4445$lQ3.2122@bignews5.bellsouth.net...
> Why is it that I can't get true readings from my Minolta Incident meter,
> and transfer them to my Nikon 5700? If I use the incident reading with
> the camera (yes, the ISO is the same on both) I get either underexposed,
> or overexposed. Confused!
IMHO an incident meter is the equivalent of metering off a gray card
compromising for an average exposure. I use one all the time. So, a lot
depends on the image. The meter has no idea what you are photographing.
It's only averaging the light that falls on it. It doesn't know what color
it is, or whether it's mostly dark or light. The meter in the camera is
supposed to take all this into account, but is rarely dead on either,
leaving you to have to use your brain and experience where the meter leaves
off.

Also, when was the last time you had your hand-held meter calibrated?