In article
> Should i take a meter reading before putting the filter in
>place, and then take the picture. Does this apply to all filters.
If the filter is weakly colored (lightly tinted color-correction
filters [warming and cooling], nearly colorless [UV or skylight],
or neutral-colored [polarizing, ND, and graduated ND]), there is
generally no problem metering through the filter. If the filter
color is strong, either meter without the filter on, then apply
the filter factor to the exposure - or determine a correction
factor for use when using that particular filter (contrary to
popular opinion, camera TTL meters do not generally give correct
exposures for strong colors, and therefore do not meter correctly
through strongly-colored filters). Meter an evenly and constantly
illuminated grey surface without a colored filter. Install the
filter and apply the filter factor to the exposure by adjusting
the camera controls. Meter the grey surface again in exactly the
same way. Change the ASA setting or exposure compensation setting
to center the meter reading. The amount of shift required equals
the meter error with that filter (having to dial in +1/2 stop with
dark yellow, +1 stop with orange, and +1 1/2 stop with red is not
unusual...).
"Hope This Helps" (formerly known as "Bob Neuman", soon to be
known as, um, "David Ruether"...;-)