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**ChrisPlatt** · 11-18-2018, 01:12 PM

Smartphones are larger even than Gossen meters, which are larger than some of my 35mm cameras.

I suppose the light meter app will still work once the cellphone is obsolete.
But once again the battery will also likely become unavailable.

Chris

**TwoUptons** · 11-18-2018, 02:57 PM

Agreed. But I always have the phone anyway, so it doesn’t add weight.

I would love a hot shoe meter, but those things are pricey...

-Eric

tuco · 11-18-2018, 06:10 PM

Originally posted by TwoUptons

Agreed. But I always have the phone anyway, so it doesn’t add weight.

I would love a hot shoe meter, but those things are pricey...

-Eric

Yeah, if you have a phone with you anyway then it's not extra gear I figure too.

I once went out to do some twilight pictures and I forgot my light meter. The Sunny 16 wasn't going to save me. I was pissed! Then I remembered about light meter apps. I downloaded one on the spot and gave it a try. It worked really nice. Now, I use a light meter app much more often since I already have the phone with me.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-18-2018, 06:37 PM

Light meter apps notwithstanding IMO carrying a phone is not particularly conducive to photography.

Chris

tuco · 11-18-2018, 08:17 PM

It saved the day for me!

stevebrot · 11-22-2018, 09:54 AM

Originally posted by tuco

Now, I use a light meter app much more often since I already have the phone with me.

They must have improved greatly since the last time I used one. Do you care to share what app did the trick for you?

Steve

tuco · 11-22-2018, 10:31 AM - **4 Likes**

Originally posted by stevebrot

They must have improved greatly since the last time I used one. Do you care to share what app did the trick for you?

Steve

I downloaded the first one I found that day. I'm looking for a name of the app and all it says is Lightmeter and looks like a brown handhold incident meter with a dial. It has a reflective mode where it takes a picture with the phone's camera for its metering. That works well. I've used it for night, twilight and high contrast scenes and I'm satisfied with the results I get.

I used the app on these fair pictures with Delta 3200 when I forgot to bring my one-degree.

The app meter placed the low values at least a stop lower in value than I would have if I used my one-degree, I'm sure. But I like how it favored the high values keeping the people in the dark and more anonymous

Last edited by tuco; 11-22-2018 at 12:31 PM. Reason: What the heck, add one more picture

**TwoUptons** · 11-22-2018, 11:05 AM

The one I use is called ‘Pocket Light Meter’ for iOS.

A couple of years ago, when I had an Android phone, I couldn’t find a meter that worked reliably with my phone.

The Android developers basically calibrated their apps to a couple of hardware combinations and skipped the rest. If you had a newer flagship phone (but not too new), you were fine, but if you had something more entry level, all bets were off... I’m not sure if that’s still how it works...

-Eric

nickthetasmaniac · 11-22-2018, 04:09 PM

Originally posted by tuco

I used the app on these fair pictures with Delta 3200 when I forgot to bring my one-degree.

A bit OT, but they are remarkably clean results from D3200!

tuco · 11-22-2018, 07:10 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac

A bit OT, but they are remarkably clean results from D3200!

Yeah, they are pretty clean looking scaled down to this size. They were shot at EI 1600 and they are from my 6x9 rangefinder. The larger the negative area the smaller the grain appears to be.

I posted these a while back. This from a 6x17 using Delta 3200. I think the grain looks finer still.

dsmithhfx · 11-23-2018, 01:49 PM

Originally posted by stevebrot

They must have improved greatly since the last time I used one. Do you care to share what app did the trick for you?

Steve

As I understand it, the accuracy depends on the quality of the phone camera. I have a Can.$50 (new, no contract) android with 5MP camera (the photos are pretty crappy). The "Lightmeter" app seems to give roughly the same readings as my ancient Sekonic L-188 with dodgy battery contacts in daylight. Haven't really used it though. I am curious if it works better in low light than the handheld.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-23-2018, 04:21 PM - **1 Like**

Smartphones are kind of like a Swiss Army knife.
Jack of all trades but master of none.

I prefer the simplicity, ergonomics and reliability of purpose-built devices.

Why not simply take a small working exposure meter for backup?
Then you can leave the electronic leash - er, I mean cellphone - shut off.

Chris

tuco · 11-23-2018, 04:52 PM

Matrix metering of a smart phone is a level of sophistication above a simple light meter, no? I'd think that is one reason.

**ChrisPlatt** · 11-23-2018, 05:50 PM

Typically when using a separate light meter you are working thoughtfully, perhaps taking more time.
Used in this manner who needs matrix metering? Surely your mind's experience is smarter than any gizmo.

Chris

photoptimist · 11-23-2018, 05:59 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by tuco

Matrix metering of a smart phone is a level of sophistication above a simple light meter, no? I'd think that is one reason.

Two quibbles:

1. A matrix metering app will only work if you can duplicate the field of view (the equivalent focal length).

2. The beauty of matrix metering is that it is usually so good that one does not have to learn anything about exposure. And the curse of matrix metering is that it is usually so good that one does not have to learn anything about exposure! (And thus one has no clue how to handle a black cat on a black sofa.)

With a primitive light meter, one quickly learns that it makes mistakes and subsequently learns a lot about "proper" exposure in a world that is not 18% gray.

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11-18-2018, 01:12 PM	#106
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Smartphones are larger even than Gossen meters, which are larger than some of my 35mm cameras. I suppose the light meter app will still work once the cellphone is obsolete. But once again the battery will also likely become unavailable. Chris

11-18-2018, 02:57 PM	#107
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	Agreed. But I always have the phone anyway, so it doesn’t add weight. I would love a hot shoe meter, but those things are pricey... -Eric

11-18-2018, 06:10 PM	#108
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,033	Originally posted by TwoUptons Agreed. But I always have the phone anyway, so it doesn’t add weight. I would love a hot shoe meter, but those things are pricey... -Eric Yeah, if you have a phone with you anyway then it's not extra gear I figure too. I once went out to do some twilight pictures and I forgot my light meter. The Sunny 16 wasn't going to save me. I was pissed! Then I remembered about light meter apps. I downloaded one on the spot and gave it a try. It worked really nice. Now, I use a light meter app much more often since I already have the phone with me.

11-18-2018, 06:37 PM	#109
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Light meter apps notwithstanding IMO carrying a phone is not particularly conducive to photography. Chris

11-18-2018, 08:17 PM	#110
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,033	It saved the day for me!

11-22-2018, 09:54 AM	#111
stevebrot Otis Memorial Pentaxian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Vancouver (USA) Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 42,007	Originally posted by tuco Now, I use a light meter app much more often since I already have the phone with me. They must have improved greatly since the last time I used one. Do you care to share what app did the trick for you? Steve

11-22-2018, 10:31 AM - 4 Likes	#112
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,033	Originally posted by stevebrot They must have improved greatly since the last time I used one. Do you care to share what app did the trick for you? Steve I downloaded the first one I found that day. I'm looking for a name of the app and all it says is Lightmeter and looks like a brown handhold incident meter with a dial. It has a reflective mode where it takes a picture with the phone's camera for its metering. That works well. I've used it for night, twilight and high contrast scenes and I'm satisfied with the results I get. I used the app on these fair pictures with Delta 3200 when I forgot to bring my one-degree. The app meter placed the low values at least a stop lower in value than I would have if I used my one-degree, I'm sure. But I like how it favored the high values keeping the people in the dark and more anonymous Last edited by tuco; 11-22-2018 at 12:31 PM. Reason: What the heck, add one more picture

11-22-2018, 11:05 AM	#113
TwoUptons Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2015 Photos: Albums Posts: 4,227	The one I use is called ‘Pocket Light Meter’ for iOS. A couple of years ago, when I had an Android phone, I couldn’t find a meter that worked reliably with my phone. The Android developers basically calibrated their apps to a couple of hardware combinations and skipped the rest. If you had a newer flagship phone (but not too new), you were fine, but if you had something more entry level, all bets were off... I’m not sure if that’s still how it works... -Eric

11-22-2018, 04:09 PM	#114
nickthetasmaniac Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2,361	Originally posted by tuco I used the app on these fair pictures with Delta 3200 when I forgot to bring my one-degree. A bit OT, but they are remarkably clean results from D3200!

11-22-2018, 07:10 PM - 1 Like	#115
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,033	Originally posted by nickthetasmaniac A bit OT, but they are remarkably clean results from D3200! Yeah, they are pretty clean looking scaled down to this size. They were shot at EI 1600 and they are from my 6x9 rangefinder. The larger the negative area the smaller the grain appears to be. I posted these a while back. This from a 6x17 using Delta 3200. I think the grain looks finer still.

11-23-2018, 01:49 PM	#116
dsmithhfx Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Toronto Posts: 5,155	Originally posted by stevebrot They must have improved greatly since the last time I used one. Do you care to share what app did the trick for you? Steve As I understand it, the accuracy depends on the quality of the phone camera. I have a Can.$50 (new, no contract) android with 5MP camera (the photos are pretty crappy). The "Lightmeter" app seems to give roughly the same readings as my ancient Sekonic L-188 with dodgy battery contacts in daylight. Haven't really used it though. I am curious if it works better in low light than the handheld.

11-23-2018, 04:21 PM - 1 Like	#117
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Smartphones are kind of like a Swiss Army knife. Jack of all trades but master of none. I prefer the simplicity, ergonomics and reliability of purpose-built devices. Why not simply take a small working exposure meter for backup? Then you can leave the electronic leash - er, I mean cellphone - shut off. Chris

11-23-2018, 04:52 PM	#118
tuco Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Pugetopolis Posts: 11,033	Matrix metering of a smart phone is a level of sophistication above a simple light meter, no? I'd think that is one reason.

11-23-2018, 05:50 PM	#119
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,702	Typically when using a separate light meter you are working thoughtfully, perhaps taking more time. Used in this manner who needs matrix metering? Surely your mind's experience is smarter than any gizmo. Chris

11-23-2018, 05:59 PM - 2 Likes	#120
photoptimist Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2016 Photos: Albums Posts: 5,129	Originally posted by tuco Matrix metering of a smart phone is a level of sophistication above a simple light meter, no? I'd think that is one reason. Two quibbles: 1. A matrix metering app will only work if you can duplicate the field of view (the equivalent focal length). 2. The beauty of matrix metering is that it is usually so good that one does not have to learn anything about exposure. And the curse of matrix metering is that it is usually so good that one does not have to learn anything about exposure! (And thus one has no clue how to handle a black cat on a black sofa.) With a primitive light meter, one quickly learns that it makes mistakes and subsequently learns a lot about "proper" exposure in a world that is not 18% gray.

Benefits to Film Era Cameras?

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