COLOR IN STEREO 129sary for the film indicated, i.e., daylight film if the sun is indicated
and an artificial light film if the light bulb is indicated.
So far we have had only one trouble with this meter. It is so
sensitive that the user tends to make corrections where none are
necessary. In a series of tests made under conditions where the
light varied’ only 300 or 400 degrees from normal, a degree of
change ordinarily considered insignificant, the slight correction
indicated has resulted in a distinctly improved color balance.
As to the value of a CT meter, if we had to give up one meter
we should give up the exposure meter and keep the CT meter.
Exposure CAN be estimated with reasonable success especially
when the exposure tables are memorized, but CT changes can-
not be recognized without instrumental aid. Our color has im-
proved so markedly since the CT control was instituted that
we regard it as invaluable.
In closing this discussion one thing should be made clear. You
need know nothing whatsoever about color temperature theory.
Your exposure meter is calibrated in numbers. Those numbers
have definite meaning, but most people know nothing except
that they are the “meter reading” and these have just as much suc-
cess with exposure meters as do those who know the specific na-
ture of the units indicated upon the meter scale. Just so in the
CT meter, you need not know what Kelvin degrees are, you
need not know what color temperature means. All you need to
know to use the CT meter with every success is that a certain
number on the meter indicates a certain filter with the film you
are using.
For example, suppose your meter reads 4800 some afternoon.
You refer to the filter table and you find that if you are using
daylight film you will need a B1/2 filter; or if you use Type A
Kodachrome, you will use a Ci filter; or if you use Ansco film or
Type B Kodachrome you will use a C2 filter. If you use Eastman
or Ansco filters, the correct ones will be indicated,
The meter is plainly marked, the filters are marked and all
you have to do is to match the two figures without knowing any-
thing about what the numbers actually refer to. Moreover, if
you use a Rebikoff meter, you get a plain signal if the light is
within satisfactory range of either daylight or artificial light film,