Light meter application on your iPhone?

[Benjamin]

Sounds like a novel idea, and indeed not of a great deal of use to myself as I don't have an iPhone. It also seems like a good way to advertise something more worth mugging than a standard light meter, though I'm certain that if it was possible it would be useful to some people on some occassions..

 

[Armoured]

I have been discussing this with a friend. The previous iphone did not seem to have anything more than a fixed aperture in the EXIF data; the new one provides a shutter speed, aperture (always the same) and ISO info. (You can download samples from macintouch's review of the 3GS. So it's quite likely this could only work with the 3GS.

I'd buy it in a second and use it frequently - I mean, not only would I buy the app, I'd probably upgrade my phone for this. I get by with sunny 16 when I don't have another camera, but I'm out of practice and make more mistakes.

Having it on the phone would mean one less thing to carry and make me much more likely to head out with one of my meterless cameras. I think for a lot of photographers with iphones this would be a killer app.

 

[Quiqueck]

LightMeter App

LightMeter App

Well if you guys have an iPhone 3G-S, you could give LightMeter (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320768222&mt=8) a chance.

 

[Benjamin]

Well if you guys have an iPhone 3G-S, you could give LightMeter (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=320768222&mt=8) a chance.

So, one already exists? What are you all talking about then?

 

[Bassism]

Wow, just one more thing to make me want to buy a new iphone...
Ah well, my Gossen serves me well enough.

Benjamin, this app was only released yesterday, and only for those with the brand new hardware, so that's why the rest of us keep whining and hoping 😛

 

[Benjamin]

Benjamin, this app was only released yesterday, and only for those with the brand new hardware, so that's why the rest of us keep whining and hoping 😛

Oh okay I see. Still if you need a light meter though Bassim, you could buy one?

 

[Bassism]

Well, I've actually got two....

My Gossen works way better than an iphone ever could, but I usually shoot meterless because it's such a hassle. If I could pull out my phone and take a reading, it'd be pretty convenient since my phone is always with me.

I also have to admit that I just like making my phone able to do more things 😛

 

[ethics_gradient]

For those that don't have iTunes, the app linked is only for the 3GS (latest model). You take a picture with the built-in camera and the phone gives you a combination aperture/shutter speed/ASA to choose for a "correct" exposure.

It's new and there aren't any reviews yet; if it turned out to work well (say, accurate enough for slide film) it would probably tip me over the edge into buying a 3GS even though I don't have any meter-less cameras at present. GPS for geotagging, DoF calculator, and a functional light meter would all be pretty handy to have in one's pocket (in addition to phone, MP3/video, web surfing, and other applications). I've been using a 32GB Touch since November and have been really enjoying it.

 

[Acliff]

I just bought the application, and it works!
I was skeptical at first, but its very simple.

Column one Column two Column three
F-Number Shutter ISO

You select one to calculate and preset the other two settings.
Press the photo button, take a picture, retake, or use it for the meter reading. When you use it, it calculates and shows the new setting. At which point, it locks the exposure, and you can change any of the columns to find your ideal combination.

I have used it, and it seems to be accurate. This is a very rough opinion, as there are no guidance notes or even a webpage on the developer's site (who are the same people who made photobuddy), and I don't know the metering area is.
All I know so far is that compared to my Pentax K10D centre weighted metering, the light meter application, when metered at a similar angle of view, suggests exposures that are 0 to 1/3 over what the K10D suggests.
Given that the K10D tends towards slight underexposure, I am confident this would be accurante enough for my B&W photography.

 

[Rogier]

Develop the app in such a way that you take a "picture" but only show a Histogram of the scene. Display a grid over this histogram representing "f" stops in 1/3 or 1/4th increments. Middle exposure is equal to S 1/125 / F11 Of course one can set the various ISO's.

 

[johannielscom]

Update!

Update!

Hello folks,

I hooked up my iPhone 3GS to Lightroom and transferred the photos, and guess what:

The iPhone 3GS photos show ISO, Aperture, focused distance and shutter speed! 😱😱😱

I say, where's the handy programmer that gets the show on the road with the exposure meter!?!?!?😎

EDIT: guess I'm late for the party, sorry.😱
Downloaded, tested with the M8 and found it overexposes when taking a bright light/nearby metering, but low light/5 mtrs away was spot on! I might even consider shooting slides when it keeps performance up! Impressive!

 

[RicardoD]

There is an app called LightMeter for the iPhone 3GS. Anybody try it? Very few reviews in the iTunes store. I always have my iPhone in my back pocket with me.

 

[Pherdinand]

As long as there is a light sensor in the camera i.e. the image sensor, it can measure light intensity.
How sensitive it is, that's a different story; and if one can access it by programming, that's also a different story(i couldn't coz i know diddly squat about it).

Further, there is another kind of light sensor in the iphone, the one that is used to dim the screen in low light environment and to switch the screen off when on a call. Maybve you can use that? It could even work as incident 😉

 

[Colman]

Yes, Lightmeter seems to work: agrees on exposure (pretty much) with my R3a, underexposes by a stop relative to my GR-D II. Close enough for negatives, not sure if I'd trust it for slide. Certainly accurate enough to work as a meter for my Mess Ikonta!

 

[Ezzie]

Pity its for the 3GS only, us early (ok so not so early, but not late) adapters with a lowly 3G will have to go without. 😉

 

[dng88]

That guys seemed to have two more application useful - one measure distance and one do waypoint. Just got all 3 (not the driver for measuring gas usage) and see how it goes.

 

[Steve M.]

I always use a polarizer on my iPhone. Light meter is a Pentax Spotmeter. It works great w/ 120 film but 220 doesn't advance properly. Luigi is making a mink & free range weasel strap for mine.

 

[perter]

I don't have an i-phone.

...but I would buy one pronto if it had a decent light meter app.

I agree. Don't have one and not with AT&T, but will switch over asap!

 

[cmogi10]

really?
Light meters aren't that expensive...
I can't imagine switching my cell phone provider because of a light meter application that isn't accurate enough to shoot slides?

Y'all crazy!😎

 

[Acliff]

really?
Light meters aren't that expensive...
I can't imagine switching my cell phone provider because of a light meter application that isn't accurate enough to shoot slides?

Y'all crazy!😎

I think the point is that the iPhone is a desirable phone regardless of the lightmeter app, but it adds an extra incentive to buy an iPhone if it means reducing the number of gadgets carried.

I've been using the app a lot, and although it's really useful, the memory low errors are getting a bit irritating. The last thing I want to do when measuring light is wait 30 seconds + for the phone to reboot.

I hope they update the app soon to sort this out.