Author Topic: Lightmeter Apps (Read 5956 times)

Late Developer · « **on:** April 13, 2015, 12:36:36 PM »

Apologies if this topic has been broached on here before (but I can't find a dedicated thread).

I'm sure there must be a whole host of Apple and Android compatible lightmeter apps out there. I have a very nice hand-held meter but it's quite large and I don't always want to carry it with me - but I usually have my iPhone with me at all time (which seems quite ironic as I also often carry a meterless film camera).

Anyway, I was recommended to take a look at "My Lightmeter Pro" which costs about £3 (so not a major cost). It also offers reflective and incident metering (tough there's no "cone" used for incident readings) but the readings were identical to my meter (in daylight, yesterday).

I just wondered what others use - assuming, of course, you don't carry an actual light meter with you.

Skorj · « **Reply #1 on:** April 13, 2015, 12:55:21 PM »

The Search function seems to bring up a few such mentions... Never been very successful myself. But others have! Skj.

6cmsquare · « **Reply #2 on:** April 13, 2015, 02:23:02 PM »

I've checked my iPhone app "Pocket Light Meter" against my Minolta fIV and it's pretty much dead-on. I end up using it for my night shots, because the fIV will only go up to 30s, and the level app is a big help when I'm trying to get the camera/tripod square in the dark. But for some reason, maybe my general dis-trust of technology, I never really trust the iPhone app -even though is is yet to let me down. -so I bring the fIV with me everywhere anyway. -I'm like a pack mule.

Rafael Morales · « **Reply #3 on:** April 13, 2015, 02:36:32 PM »

I am on the fence on those things. I downloaded a couple for my ipod but I too have a slight bit of distrust of the technology. I think about using my actual handheld Gossen Luna Six Pro but those px625 batteries have been there awhile. They are West German.

Francois · « **Reply #4 on:** April 13, 2015, 02:47:16 PM »

I use one on my Android phone and must say I was pretty impressed in many was. But I think it's not quite as reliable as expected when used at the extreme ends of the iso scale.

Bryan · « **Reply #5 on:** April 13, 2015, 03:03:40 PM »

I've been using the "Pocket Light Meter" app on my iPhone for years with great results. Even though it's free I did donate money to buy the developer a beer since I do use it so much. I have tried some of the others but didn't like them as much.

I thought there was one app that had a cone you can buy for incident readings.

Pete_R · « **Reply #6 on:** April 13, 2015, 03:32:17 PM »

I use myLightMeter Pro as well. Works very well. I use the Classic interface as it makes more sense to me. But I still use my IVf as well as I like the spot attachment I have on it.

Late Developer · « **Reply #7 on:** April 13, 2015, 04:54:03 PM »

Quote from: Peter R on April 13, 2015, 03:32:17 PM

I use myLightMeter Pro as well. Works very well. I use the Classic interface as it makes more sense to me. But I still use my IVf as well as I like the spot attachment I have on it.

Hi Peter.

The guy who shwoed me the app uses the "classic" interface as well. It reminded me of an old Weston meter I had years ago but I've been used to LCD Digital readouts of late and I'll probably give it a go on the other interface - at least to begin with.

As Francois suggested, it may not be as reliable in low (or very bright) light but, in reality, I'll be using it mostly in "normal daylight" where I'd expect shutter speeds of 1/30th and 1/1000th to be the extreme ends of the scale - and save having to lug a separate meter unecessarily.

jharr · « **Reply #8 on:** April 13, 2015, 05:01:12 PM »

I usually have my Sekonic L-508 with me, but I also use (for Android) beeCam Lightmeter which seems to work fairly reliably. I have also used one called just Lightmeter that has the classic dial interface (more cool factor with that one).

thatguychad · « **Reply #9 on:** April 13, 2015, 05:45:20 PM »

I also really like My Lightmeter Pro for a meter in a pinch.

Indofunk · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2015, 06:20:55 PM »

I use Rex light meter, and only as a backup to the backup to the backup

And then I usually ignore the reading anyways

Adam Doe · « **Reply #11 on:** April 13, 2015, 07:24:26 PM »

I use Pocket Light Meter on my iPhone. I'd rate it as very good although it has on rare occasion been a bit wonky but it's been a great tool when I forget my Sekonic.

Ojo · « **Reply #12 on:** April 13, 2015, 08:38:18 PM »

I use Pinhole Assist on my iphone. I use it with most of my cameras, though it is particularly suited to pinhole cameras of course.

Francois · « **Reply #13 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:08:31 PM »

On my phone, I use David Quiles Amat's Lightmeter app. For me to shell out any cash on an app, it's got to be good!
But I think there might be a floating point error when you use extreme ISO's... but it could be an Android based problem too.

Thing is that it used the camera's sensor that has a specific sensitivity. Then, it does the f/stop calculation... but to get to lets say 3 ISO when the sensor is probably a 100 ISO device, you have to multiply by a lot and that's where I think it's got a flaw. But to be sure I'd have to compare it with my Sekonic...

Bryan · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:18:05 PM »

Quote from: Francois on April 13, 2015, 10:08:31 PM

On my phone, I use David Quiles Amat's Lightmeter app. For me to shell out any cash on an app, it's got to be good!
But I think there might be a floating point error when you use extreme ISO's... but it could be an Android based problem too.

Thing is that it used the camera's sensor that has a specific sensitivity. Then, it does the f/stop calculation... but to get to lets say 3 ISO when the sensor is probably a 100 ISO device, you have to multiply by a lot and that's where I think it's got a flaw. But to be sure I'd have to compare it with my Sekonic...

There are a lot of different Android phones available with different cameras. I wonder if that may have an effect on the light meters performance if a certain camera was not taken into account when the app was developed? At least with the iPhone there are only a few different cameras with different models.

Francois · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2015, 10:37:32 PM »

That's the good thing about Apple. Their hardware is very consistent so it's easy to build for it.
Also, iOS has different capabilities than Android so some things are probably easier while others are harder to build.

Verian · « **Reply #16 on:** April 14, 2015, 10:36:45 AM »

Quote from: jharr on April 13, 2015, 05:01:12 PM

I usually have my Sekonic L-508 with me, but I also use (for Android) beeCam Lightmeter which seems to work fairly reliably. I have also used one called just Lightmeter that has the classic dial interface (more cool factor with that one).

I also use beecam, it's been very reliable for me (except when I forget to change the film speed, although that's my own stupid fault)

Chalky · « **Reply #17 on:** April 14, 2015, 11:21:24 AM »

I have an app called Lightmeter for my android phone. It is styled to look like an old weston lightmeter, which is a coincidence as that is what I use

when I compare them they are often close but I'm getting better at knowing where to start with settings and my lightmeter is pocket sized anyway. But the phone one is a good backup...

hookstrapped · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2015, 11:54:28 AM »

Quote from: Chalky on April 14, 2015, 11:21:24 AM

I have an app called Lightmeter for my android phone. It is styled to look like an old weston lightmeter, which is a coincidence as that is what I use

when I compare them they are often close but I'm getting better at knowing where to start with settings and my lightmeter is pocket sized anyway. But the phone one is a good backup...

I use this, too and like it quite a lot. Both incident and reflective.

Late Developer · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2015, 04:29:03 PM »

Went for it. I've downloaded My Lightmeter Pro, Pinhole Assist and Reciprocity +

The last two will, hopefully, be useful as I intend to get out with the Zero 2000 this weekend (or next) to see whether pinhole is for me.

Pete_R · « **Reply #20 on:** April 14, 2015, 05:38:30 PM »

Quote from: Late Developer on April 14, 2015, 04:29:03 PM

Went for it. I've downloaded My Lightmeter Pro, Pinhole Assist and Reciprocity +

The last two will, hopefully, be useful as I intend to get out with the Zero 2000 this weekend (or next) to see whether pinhole is for me.

It's Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day on the 26th so a good day to do it.

Late Developer · « **Reply #21 on:** April 14, 2015, 06:43:10 PM »

Quote from: Peter R on April 14, 2015, 05:38:30 PM

Quote from: Late Developer on April 14, 2015, 04:29:03 PM
Went for it. I've downloaded My Lightmeter Pro, Pinhole Assist and Reciprocity +

The last two will, hopefully, be useful as I intend to get out with the Zero 2000 this weekend (or next) to see whether pinhole is for me.

It's Worldwide Pinhole Photography Day on the 26th so a good day to do it.

Couldn't be better, then!! All I have to do is work out how to aim it and have some idea of what's going to be in/out of the picture.....

Author Topic: Lightmeter Apps (Read 5956 times)

Ojo