philipus Posted September 6, 2011 Share #1 Posted September 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) An odd question perhaps, but have you tried using an iphone as a light meter? I see there are a few apps that claim to work as such. It would be interesting to hear anyone's experience with them. cheers Philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 6, 2011 Posted September 6, 2011 Hi philipus, Take a look here Experience with iPhone as light meter?. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted September 6, 2011 Share #2 Posted September 6, 2011 I downloaded one of the free ones and found it to be reasonably accurate. I don't have a lot of use for it though since all my cameras have meters in them. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted September 6, 2011 Thanks Steve. Is there one in particular you found more easy to use? As a tangent, in case it would be of interest for someone: I've used the app Expositor (paid-for but inexpensive) to estimate exposure values and it works well. cheers Philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted September 6, 2011 Share #4 Posted September 6, 2011 Philip, I used this one... App Store - Light Meter Free 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiZZ Posted September 6, 2011 Share #5 Posted September 6, 2011 I used one, and when compared to my camera light meter, it was a stop off. However, it didn't have that much of an effect on my pictures. I generally use it just to get an idea in which range I should be exposing. Pocket Light Meter 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roboflick Posted September 6, 2011 Share #6 Posted September 6, 2011 I use pocket light meter when using my m3, it is accurate enough for slide film and as it is on my iphone always with me, very convenient and makes my m3 more fun to use, i also know exactly what i am metering as opposed to the vcmeter which can be fooled in a backlit situation Nik 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted September 6, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted September 6, 2011 Advertisement (gone after registration) I use pocket light meter when using my m3, it is accurate enough for slide film and as it is on my iphone always with me, very convenient and makes my m3 more fun to use, i also know exactly what i am metering as opposed to the vcmeter which can be fooled in a backlit situation Nik Thanks Nik. This is precisely how I was thinking of using it Good to hear it is accurate enough for slides, too. cheers philip Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
FiZZ Posted September 7, 2011 Share #8 Posted September 7, 2011 Thanks Nik. This is precisely how I was thinking of using it Good to hear it is accurate enough for slides, too. cheers philip Though fair warning, Pocket Light Meter is accurate, but it is slow. It takes a few seconds for the reading to stabilize. No fault of the app, but that's how the iPhone auto-exposure works. I actually missed a few shots when I first got it because I would wait for the reading. Now I just meter to get a general idea and use my guess work for it. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
c.poulton Posted September 7, 2011 Share #9 Posted September 7, 2011 I have used various light meter apps - generally accurate, maybe a half to full stop out at most - good enough for B+W. I really only use them if I don't have my hand held light meter with me or as a quick check. Christian 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
buranca Posted September 7, 2011 Share #10 Posted September 7, 2011 I use the Pocket Light Meter as well - because the phone is always in my pocket. I find it to be accurate adjusting with my own take on Sunny16. Should you find it off a stop or two -there is an EV correction utility (+/- 1/3) in the menu! It has stopped me from buying a Digisix or VCII for now. 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeTexas Posted September 12, 2011 Share #11 Posted September 12, 2011 I've being using the app called Light Meter for a couple of months. Whatever it reads, I've started overexposing by one or two stops because otherwise my shots look a bit grainy and underexposed. However, I just realized there is an EV correction factor slider in the menu. I haven't tried it yet, though. The problem with the iPhone as a meter isn't its accuracy, it's the awkwardness. Having something on the camera is so much easier. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tietje Posted September 12, 2011 Share #12 Posted September 12, 2011 I've been using Photo Meter Pro mainly because has the same analogue interface as my Master V and I always have it on me! 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael-IIIf Posted September 13, 2011 Share #13 Posted September 13, 2011 I use Pocket Light Meter - I've never tested it against my M8's or M6's built in meters but it seems accurate enough for my needs. It's certainly better than Sunny-16 which is what I mostly use on my M2 and IIIf. And the best thing, like other iPhone apps, it's always with you; it's in your pocket. 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomasw_ Posted September 13, 2011 Share #14 Posted September 13, 2011 Philip, I used this one... App Store - Light Meter Free This app works well for me when I don't have my sekonic L308s. Thomas 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiILX1 Posted September 13, 2011 Share #15 Posted September 13, 2011 Hi all, I found the pocket light meter overexposes by as much as 3 stops, but always at least 1-2. That's against my Leicameter M, my X1, and my Minolta XG-7, which are identical. Even though I "bought the developer a pint" because I was so excited about the app, I never use it, and don't recommend it. My preferred meter is the Leicameter M. *I should mention that I have a iPhone 3GS 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted September 14, 2011 Share #16 Posted September 14, 2011 Played a bit with them for a while. Bought a Sekonic 308s last weekend and use it along now. Let me state this - this very simple and affordable, most compact and light Sekonic meter, hanging from a thin strap goes unnoticed along with you and absolutely murders any other make shift lightmeter from a mobile phone! I use it as an incident meter, having set a basic, standard exposure, I calculate from and take a reading in strange light from time to time. The moment, I have already finished metering, calculating and setting my camera, I am still fiddling with the iPhone app. Forget those apps, if you want a meter for serious use other than the casual safety meter, when no camera or handheld meter is around, but you have your phone with you. Did I mention, that I really like that Sekonic - only three flaws are (in order of importance): - no backlit LCD - no way to disable power off (combined with "long push to power on button") - easy to loose battery cover (use gaffer tape from day one!) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mstephens Posted November 25, 2011 Share #17 Posted November 25, 2011 I've been playing with Pocket Light Meter, and for my use I think it does a good enough job that I'll probably sell my Sekonic L358. I wish Pocket Light Meter had an incident light function, but am hopeful that someone will come up with an add-on solution (sounds like a good Kickstarter project...). 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoorn666 Posted January 28, 2013 Share #18 Posted January 28, 2013 Maybe some interesting iPhone app for (multi)spot metering, iZoner A review in german: [verbessert] iPhone-Belichtungsmesser iZoner | Stefan Senf [verglichen] Fünf iPhone-Apps für die Belichtungsmessung | Stefan Senf or on the support site in english iZoner greetings Alex 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philipus Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share #19 Posted January 30, 2013 Very interesting app, thanks for posting. The spot and hi-low functions are very useful indeed. The app seems more precise than the other ones i have tried. I think this may well become my favourite meter app. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith (M) Posted January 30, 2013 Share #20 Posted January 30, 2013 I have had 'Light Meter' on my iPhone4S for quite a while but it is only there as a back-up for my Sekonic Twinmate L-208. This (see below) is a really quite tiny meter and has the very useful addition of a neat little translucent portion that slides across the sensor, enabling incidence metering. Always in my pocket when I am out and about with my IIIg or Rolleicord. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Quote Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/161193-experience-with-iphone-as-light-meter/?do=findComment&comment=2229113'>More sharing options...
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