Light Meters

A light meter, also known as a photo meter, is a specialized device used primarily to measure the intensity of light entering a camera's viewfinder. In most photography, a light meter is utilized to determine the right exposure level for a photo. The intensity of light can be measured in lux or lumen. Lux refers to the light measured in the spectrum range of yellow to red light and the higher the lumen, the brighter the scene.

Light meters are designed to measure light in the visible spectrum. They are most commonly used in studio conditions, because they require no additional monitor and can be placed just about anywhere. They have an illuminated display screen and keypad. To measure light, the user just needs to point the meter at the light source then look up through the meter's lens. The greater the distance between the meter lens and the light source, the wider the view.

Digital light meters provide more advanced features than traditional meters. One of these features is the ability to read the metering information from a remote unit and have the meter read out in digits rather than the traditional points and stops. Some digital meters can also measure and calculate ambient light and white balance settings.

Digital meters are useful for shooting photographs in dark places, since they allow the photographer to set the meter's minimum and maximum light levels for the chosen scene. Measuring ambient light allows photographers to isolate the effect of sunlight on a subject. For this reason, some light meters are also able to read images in the black-and-white mode.

Using a handheld light meter for photography has several advantages. First, it provides instant feedback when a subject is exposed correctly. If a shot is incorrect, the photographer can immediately correct it.

Photographers need to be familiar with different features and functions of different models so that they can choose the one that is most useful for them. The best light meters for photography usually include an automatic focus and manual focus as well as automatic background calibration and image stabilization. Some come with flash indicators and a shooting mode that allows multiple images to be recorded at different times. Before purchasing a handheld meter for photography, it is necessary to check its specifications and read user reviews to find the most useful features.