Light metres as apps... are we getting there?

legrevedotcom

legrevedotcom

Veteran
I was curious after reading the other thread.
At one point I was thinking about buying a semi expensive Sekonic meter, but learning to use waveforms and histograms kept me from taking the plunge.

Then the apps started appearing.

I downloaded this free "Lightmeter" app and I thought I'd do a very quick unscientific test.

The photo below was taken with the 5D3 set to the settings the meter app was putting out by measuring the light in the toilet.
The other image is from PS where you can see the histogram.

Both photos are untouched.

I think it's pretty close... maybe the meter is a tiny bit underexposed, but once you learn that, just compensate that fraction.

What about you guys... got any meter apps you'd like to share?
lightmeter.jpg
lightmeter2.jpg
 
Using just the phone, I don't think they will ever really get there. But there is at least 1 company coming out with a 3.5mm microphone jack based device that has a light sensor in it, as well as the accompanying software to use it, and it seemed to be spot on.

Can't remember the name of it, but I am pretty sure it works on both iOS and Android.
 
I remember reading about a waveform monitor app (it did other things too i think) a while back. Probably on this forum. Surely metering apps would just be another offshoot of that same idea?
 
Yeah... I mean camera phones need to measure light pretty accurately in order to please the masses, so there's no reason it shouldn't work. I worked out that my phone uses both the environment sensor as well as the front camera to judge the lighting conditions.
And by using the main camera it can make a somewhat accurate judgement of reflective light as well. No spot meter though ;)
 
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