Many older 35mm film cameras and film medium format cameras do not have a light metering system. This should not put you off, as using a separate light meter can be very rewarding. It slows you down, inviting you to think harder about your creative choices. Accurate spot metering can in particular enable you to expose correctly one isolated element within your exposure even when the situation is very demanding and would confuse many modern camera exposure systems.
Modern new hand meters with spot metering can be pricey, however many second hand classic meters at modest prices are out there. For example, there is nice range to be found at Mr Cad, Pimlico – www.mrcad.co.uk
Mobile phone light metering apps are approving all the time, however these are not really in the downteching spirit!
But…..Don’t be afraid to also trust your own judgement without any metering. If you know a ISO/Shutter/Aperture reading of a pavement or back of your hand in mid day shade and bright sunlight, this can go a long way for you to estimate any daytime situation.
If shooting without flash at night time, with room or street lighting, try a 1/30 sec shutter speed at f2.8 using 400 ISO film and experiment around this.
For those wishing to master exposure in a most manual way, www.fredparker.com provides exposure value charts which then allow you to choose stutter speed and aperture combinations for any lighting situation.