My $40 light meter app turned out to be the best thing I bought

I got into film a few months ago and kept messing up exposures, especially indoors. My camera is old and the built-in meter is broken. I was about to drop over a hundred bucks on a handheld meter, but a guy at the local camera shop told me to try an app first. I was skeptical, but I got one called Lightme for my phone. It cost about forty dollars. I used it for a shoot in my dimly lit apartment last week, and my photos came back perfectly exposed. No more guessing or wasting film. It's not perfect for every situation, but for starting out, it saved me a lot of money and frustration. Has anyone else had good luck with a specific meter app, or should I still plan on getting a physical one down the road?

3 comments

3 Comments

young.sarah2mo ago

Honestly, that "not perfect for every situation" part is key. I still carry a cheap used handheld for really tricky backlight or stage lighting. The app is great until your phone battery dies mid shoot.

webb.jordan2mo ago

My old DSLR saved me when my phone overheated at a summer wedding.

jade2714d ago

Yeah the "until your phone battery dies" part is exactly why I still keep my old Canon rebel in the car. It's not like I use it every week, but when you're at something like a wedding or a weekend camping trip where you don't have a charger handy, having the backup that runs on its own battery is a lifesaver. Plus those older DSLRs are tough as nails and can take a beating in a bag.

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