Best Photographic Light Meters in 2022

Last update: November 22, 2022

Are light meter apps accurate?

Whether or not light meter apps are accurate can be debated. Some people argue that the apps are just as accurate as any other light meter, while others argue that the apps are not as accurate as a professional light meter. It really depends on who you ask.

Are light meters obsolete?

A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of light. They are used in photography to determine the proper exposure for a photograph. Some people believe that light meters are no longer necessary, since digital cameras have built-in light meters. However, there are still many photographers who prefer to use a separate light meter. There are several advantages to using a light meter. They can help you to get more accurate readings, and they can also be used to measure the light in difficult or unusual situations. If you are a photographer who is considering whether or not

Can you use a lux meter for photography?

A lux meter is a device that measures the amount of light in a given area. It is typically used to measure the amount of light in a room or space to ensure that it is safe and comfortable for people to be in. However, lux meters can also be used for photography. Using a lux meter for photography can help you to determine the best settings for your camera. For example, if you are taking a picture of a low-light scene, you may want to use a higher ISO setting on your camera to make sure that the image is not too dark. Conversely,

Do Cinematographers still use light meters?

Yes, cinematographers still use light meters. A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of light in a given area. The light meter is an important tool for cinematographers because it helps them to determine the correct exposure for a given scene.


Professional LED Light Meter, Dr.meter 1332B Digital Illuminance/Light Meter with 0-200,000 Measuring Ranges and 270 Degree Rotatable Detector Review:


Much superior to mobile apps. You probably also noted that the right PAR meters for full spectrum readings range in price from $250 to $500. If you're on a tight budget, try this cheaper option! I bought it so that I could arrange my LED light in a grow area using a rough approximation of the lux values.



Sekonic L-308X-U Flashmate Light Meter (401-305) with Deluxe case Review:


For both new-ish gaffers and DPs who aspire to shoot high-quality movies, TV shows, commercials, work in the industry, or even those who consider themselves to be indie filmmakers, this is a must-have on a set combined with a Color Checker Passport. However, even then, it's useful to have this tool as insurance. Granted, with practice, your eyes will become accustomed to lighting well enough that this meter only serves as a safeguard to check your work. It is lacking in bells and whistles. There isn't a spot meter, which in some cases I actually prefer. Although it's a straightforward tool, it's reliable and won't fail you down. I frequently use it, primarily to verify that green screens are lit consistently before shooting. For that, I had to purchase the extra lumidisc. I'm not sure why it isn't included at this price point, but overall, this is the greatest entry-level and mid-range light meter for photographers who can't afford the better models.



HOLDPEAK HP-881D Digital Illuminance/Light Meter Measure Range 0.01-400,000 Lux (1-40,000 FC) 270 ° Rotate Sensor Head, MAX/MIN,Backlight,Data Hold&Storage,lumens Meter for Plants and led Lights Review:


The meter is simple to use and understand. It may be utilized in a variety of settings, including photography and setting up a workplace so that it has the right amount of light to prevent eye strain. It was accurate when I tested it against my light meter for photos. The display is simple to read, and it feels lightweight.



BTMETER BT-881D Digital Illuminance Light Meter, Measure Lights 0.01~400,000 Lux (0.01~40,000 FC) Foot Candles Luxmeter with 270º Rotated Sensor for Plants LED Lights Indoor Outdoor Light Tester Review:


The device satisfied—even went above and beyond—my requirements for measuring light intensity in FC and Lux. A small Phillips head screwdriver, an instruction booklet, and AAA batteries were included in the unit's shipping package. The entire thing fit within a case with a zipper. Furthermore useful is the thermometer mode. The operation is fairly simple. I didn't need to refer to the manual.



Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Illuminance/Light Meter, 0 - 200,000 Lux Luxmeter Review:


This cheap meter comes in quite handy for determining the lighting conditions at locations where I'm taking pictures and films. Having said that, if you are hoping to use this as a cheap replacement for an exposure or flash meter for photography, you will undoubtedly be dissatisfied.This meter provides you with an easy-to-understand Lux reading that corresponds to the level of light in the space. Our eyes are incredible self-adjusting optical marvels; they make so many adjustments for the environment that we frequently find it challenging to determine how light or dark an environment actually is.When utilized in auto or semi-auto mode, the sophisticated reflecting light meters that are included into today's cameras and video cameras will adjust the photos we shoot for overall brightness. In comparison to a photograph that is an even 18% gray, they will also be able to forecast whether the exposure will be under or overexposed in manual mode. Nowadays, very few people still employ conventional exposure meters. The issue most people encounter is that if they attempt to take photos or videos in dimly lit areas without using a flash or other external light source, the camera (or you) may attempt to make up for it by using extremely slow shutter speeds, extremely high ISO settings, and the widest aperture your lens is capable of. Now is the moment to decide how you will achieve your greatest achievements. Although this is less significant now than it once was due to advances in camera sensor technology, it is still a formula for low-quality photos and films.In order to provide the best conditions for filming videos and photos, I utilize the readings from this light meter to guide my equipment setup and/or lighting adjustments. While collecting test images and films (which you almost always have to do) could achieve the same result, I find the meter to be more efficient for making initial decisions. I have a photographic exposure meter that is far more expensive and complex. This kind of light meter is what the majority of photographers are searching for, however it is more difficult to set up and frequently overkill for this use.This meter only has one function: it measures the intensity of visible light and outputs either a lux or a foot candle number. These figures can be readily converted into exposure settings using free Android calculators and charts, although this meter was not built to do that. I tested the readings' applicability for this purpose out of curiosity, and the findings were inconsistent when compared to our genuine photography exposure meter. You must alter the results you get because the meter was not intended for this use, and the reflective meter included inside the camera is more precise. A modern photography exposure meter has a lot more versatility and possibilities for how light can be measured. Spot metering and flash metering inputs and attachments are available on the one I have. Naturally, it also computes suggested exposure settings automatically.This is a fantastic meter, in my opinion, and it has saved me a ton of time when evaluating and changing the lighting at events where I have put up video or photographic equipment. However, this is NOT a camera exposure meter. Even though both are made of comparable sensors, they are not the same tool. Many of the things an exposure meter is used for, such setting up flash equipment, cannot be done with this. This won't, if at all, help you if you're trying to adjust the outcomes your camera produces. I think that clarifies things and also explains why some people felt deceived and why some people said it wasn't appropriate for photography.



Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U Light Meter (401-858) Review:


I purchased from Amazon yesterday. Easy. The ideal fusion of the two worlds: L478DR-U and L758D. L-758D viewfinder with one-degree spot metering and L-478DR-U touchscreen. employs two AA batteries.I have an HSS-compatible XPLOR 600. When I'm in a little shade while using HSS mode, I can easily receive the exposure reading.



URCERI Light Meter Digital Illuminance Meter Handheld Ambient Temperature Measurer with Range up to 200,000 Lux Luxmeter with 4 Digit Color LCD Screen Review:


My photographic abilities were elevated by this item. I recently impulsively started film photography with an old SLR that had no battery, like many contemporary hipsters do. It is a brick that solely uses mechanical techniques to expose film to light when there is no battery. I feel like a completely different person now that I've used this tool for photography. I never used to give the motion of light across space so much thought. It is a tool that enables you to investigate light intensity in three dimensions. The only reason I didn't give it a perfect score is that I have to do math in order to compute an exposure, and since I hate mental math, I won't print out an exposure chart. My calculations normally begin with the knowledge that the Sunny Sixteen (SS) incident intensity is approximately 90kLux, and that the appropriate ISO 100 exposure is F/16, 1/125s. Therefore, an SS -1 stop is equivalent to 45kLux, an SS -2 stop to 22.5kLux, an SS -3 stop to 11.25kLux, and so on (and knowing the number of stops away from SS allows one to adjust exposure accordingly). Because the result it provides (light intensity averaged over a hemisphere) is predictable, I eventually stopped using this gadget. Clouds typically have a -1 stop. Shade adds extra -1 to -2 stops typically. You'll need to conduct some math or print out an exposure chart if you want the exposure number to be displayed on the screen.



Leaton Digital Luxmeter/Digital Illuminance Light Meter lux meter with LCD Display(Range: 0.1~200,000 Lux Luxmeter, 0.01~20,000Fc) Review:


I use this to get a general idea of how much light should be available on my plant supports for the orchids I cultivate under fluorescent lighting. Given the cost and the fact that I simply require a rough estimate, I gave it four stars. I hope this review clarifies any issues that the manual does not cover.The light intensity you are attempting to measure is outside the measurement range, according to the OL error notice. This is the reason why the unit starts out with auto (range). You will see "OL" on the display if, for instance, you are attempting to measure a light intensity of 18,000 fc but your range is set to 2000 (or 200). The device is intelligent enough to modify your range to 20,000 when on "auto," though. So keep the range setting on "auto" if, like me, you need rough measures.Because the gadget will be more precise in the lowest useable range, range is important. For instance, choosing the 200 range rather than the 2,000 or 20,000 range will result in a measurement that is more accurate for a light intensity of 150 fc.Because of the simplistic directions, I deducted a star from the category of usability. They could have typed up what I just done in ten minutes.



Extech LT40 LED Light Meter Review:


reasonable balance between price and quality. Does what the advertisements promise. There are two features of this device that I particularly like: the first is that it displays a dead 0 on the meter when the lens cap is on the detector lens (think about how problematic that it would be if this were not the case). The second is that the measured light levels are reliable; you can take a reading at one position and then later take another reading in the same spot and obtain the same result.I have no idea how accurate the readings are, but they work well for what I need them for—checking to make sure that installing a "LED for Fluorescent" replacement does not adversely alter light levels.



Luxi for All - Smartphone Light Meter Attachment for iOS Devices Review:


Even though I think $30 is excessive for such a small piece of plastic, the overall benefit of owning a working light metre can more than make up for it. This is the next best thing as I am not aware of a DIY alternative for one of these light diffusers. According to online reviews, this gadget can obtain readings that are comparable to more expensive Minolta or Sekonic light metres when used in conjunction with Luxi's own software or the highly regarded MyLightMeterPro app. It has aided me personally in hastening the process of gaining positive exposure. (instead of repeatedly snapping images).


Do I need an expensive light meter?

No, you don't need an expensive light meter. You can get by with a less expensive one.

Do photographers use light meters?

Yes, photographers use light meters to measure the amount of light in a scene. By using a light meter, photographers can ensure that they are using the correct amount of light for their photos.

Do you need a light meter for film photography?

A light meter is not strictly necessary for film photography, but it can be a helpful tool. Without a light meter, you would need to estimate the amount of light falling on your subject and then adjust your camera settings accordingly. This can be difficult to do accurately, especially in tricky lighting situations. A light meter takes the guesswork out of exposure by measuring the light and then telling you what settings to use on your camera.

How do you use a photography light meter?

A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of light. There are two types of light meters: incident and reflective. Incident light meters measure the amount of light falling on the subject, while reflective light meters measure the amount of light reflected off the subject. To use a reflective light meter, you will need to take a light reading from the subject. To do this, point the light meter at the subject and press the button. The light meter will then take a reading and display the results. Once you have the reading, you can then adjust your camera settings

How is light measured in cinematography?

In cinematography, light is measured in terms of foot-candles, which is a unit of measurement that indicates the amount of light that is cast on a surface. One foot-candle is equal to the amount of light that is cast by a candle when it is held at a distance of one foot from the surface.

How much does it cost to get a light meter fixed?

A light meter is a precision instrument used to measure the amount of light. They are used in photography to ensure proper exposure of the film or digital sensor. Light meters can be either handheld or built into the camera. Handheld light meters are more versatile, as they can be used for both still photography and videography. Camera-mounted light meters are more limited, but they are generally more accurate. Light meters can also be used to measure the amount of light in a room or environment. The cost of repairing a light meter will vary depending on the