Handheld light meters offer precision that built-in camera meters can't match. They're essential for medium and large format cameras without metering, and invaluable for mastering exposure with any format.
This guide covers meter types, how they work, and how to choose one.
Why Use a Handheld Meter?
Camera Meter Limitations
Reflected metering issues:
- Assumes average scene (18% grey)
- Fooled by bright or dark subjects
- Can't measure light falling on subject
- No spot metering on many cameras
Camera-specific limitations:
- Many vintage cameras have no meter
- Medium and large format often meterless
- Camera meters can drift or fail
Handheld Meter Advantages
Flexibility:
- Incident metering measures actual light
- Spot metering for precise placement
- Works with any camera
- Independent of camera battery
Precision:
- Purpose-built for accuracy
- Flash metering capability
- EV readout for Zone System
Learning:
- Forces you to think about exposure
- Better understanding of light
- Develops metering intuition
Metering Modes
Reflected Metering
How it works: Measures light bouncing off the subject toward the camera.
The assumption: Meter calibrated to render the measured area as middle grey (Zone V, ~18% reflectance).
Challenges:
- Light subjects render grey without compensation
- Dark subjects render grey without compensation
- Must interpret readings thoughtfully
Best for:
- Measuring specific tones
- Spot metering for Zone System
- When you can't reach the subject
Incident Metering
How it works: Measures light falling on the subject using a white dome (lumisphere) or flat diffuser pointed toward the camera.
The advantage: Measures actual illumination regardless of subject reflectance.
Why it's preferred:
- Consistent results regardless of subject tone
- No compensation needed for light or dark subjects
- Natural-looking exposures
Technique:
- Hold meter at subject position
- Point dome toward camera (or light source if measuring specific lights)
- Read exposure directly
Incident metering works for most situations. Use reflected/spot metering when you can't reach the subject (landscapes, backlit scenes) or when you want to place specific tones precisely (Zone System).
When to Use Which Metering Method
Use incident metering (dome out toward camera) when:
- You can walk up to your subject
- Lighting is consistent across the scene
- You want accurate skin tones
Use reflected metering (pointing at subject) when:
- You can't approach the subject
- You're metering specific zones
- Working with spot meters
When in doubt: Incident metering is more reliable for beginners as it measures the light falling on the subject, not reflected from it.
Spot Metering
How it works: Reflected metering with a very narrow acceptance angle (typically 1-5°).
Acceptance angles:
| Angle | Use |
|---|---|
| 1° | Precise Zone System, distant subjects |
| 5° | General selective metering |
| 10° | Averaging over small areas |
Why spot meters matter:
- Measure individual tones precisely
- Essential for Zone System
- Useful for backlit subjects
- Meter distant subjects
Technique:
- Identify the tone you want to place
- Meter that tone
- Apply Zone System adjustments
Flash Metering
How it works: Meter detects the brief flash burst and integrates the light.
Modes:
- Cord sync: Connect sync cord, meter triggers flash
- Cordless: Meter waits for external trigger, captures flash
Why essential for studio:
- Flash output not measurable by ambient meters
- Precise ratio measurement
- Consistent results
Meter Types
Incident-Only Meters
Characteristics:
- Simpler, often less expensive
- No spot capability
- Dome covers sensor
Best for:
- Portrait photographers
- General shooting
- Those wanting simplicity
Limitations:
- Can't meter distant subjects
- No Zone System spot readings
Spot Meters
Characteristics:
- Reflected-only metering
- Narrow angle (1-5°)
- Often include viewfinder showing metered area
Best for:
- Zone System practitioners
- Landscape photographers
- Cinematographers
Limitations:
- No incident mode
- Must interpret readings
Notable models:
- Pentax Digital Spotmeter (classic, discontinued)
- Sekonic L-778/L-858 (combined meters)
- Gossen Starlite 2
Combination Meters
Characteristics:
- Both incident and reflected modes
- Some include spot metering
- Most versatile option
Best for:
- Photographers wanting one meter for everything
- Studio work requiring both incident and ratio measurement
- Zone System with incident backup
Notable models:
- Sekonic L-308 series (incident + reflected, no spot)
- Sekonic L-478/L-858 (incident + spot)
- Gossen Digipro F2 (incident + spot)
Flash Meters
Characteristics:
- Designed primarily for flash metering
- Usually include ambient capability
- Often incident-based
Best for:
- Studio photographers
- Location portrait photographers
- Anyone using off-camera flash
Meter Recommendations by Budget
Best meters under £50: Sekonic L-208 (used), phone apps (Light Meter, myLightMeter). Under £100: Sekonic L-308. Under £200: Sekonic L-358.
Budget (Under £100)
New:
- Sekonic L-208 (basic incident/reflected)
- Phone apps (see limitations below)
Used market:
- Sekonic L-308 series (excellent value used)
- Gossen Digisix
- Older Sekonic models
Expectations: Basic functionality, no spot metering, may lack flash mode.
Mid-Range (£100-250)
New:
- Sekonic L-308X series (incident, reflected, flash)
- Sekonic Speedmaster L-858D-U (when on sale)
Used:
- Sekonic L-478 series
- Gossen Starlite 2
- Minolta Spotmeter F/M
Expectations: Good quality, flash capability, possibly spot metering.
Premium (£250-500)
New:
- Sekonic L-858D-U (incident, spot, flash, radio trigger)
- Sekonic L-478D (touchscreen, versatile)
Used:
- Minolta Spotmeter F (legendary 1° spot)
- Pentax Digital Spotmeter (classic)
Expectations: Full-featured, excellent build, professional capability.
Professional (£500+)
New:
- Sekonic L-858D with radio modules
- Specialized cine meters
Expectations: Maximum features, radio integration, cine functions.
Many excellent meters from the 1980s-2000s work perfectly. Check calibration against a known reference or newer meter before purchase. Replacement batteries are usually available.
Smartphone Meter Apps
Popular Options
- Lux (iOS) - Well-regarded, calibrated
- Light Meter (Android) - Various options available
- myLightMeter Pro (both platforms)
Limitations
Accuracy concerns:
- Phone cameras aren't calibrated for metering
- Vary significantly by phone model
- May drift with software updates
Functionality:
- Reflected only (using phone camera)
- No true incident capability
- No flash metering
- No spot metering precision
When acceptable:
- Backup when primary meter unavailable
- Learning tool
- Casual shooting
- Budget constraints
When inadequate:
- Studio flash work
- Precision Zone System
- Professional work
Using Phone Apps Effectively
Calibrate against known meter or test rolls.
Note any offset and compensate.
Use in consistent light (not mixed conditions).
Consider film's latitude as safety margin.
Using Vintage Meters
Many photographers use meters from the 1960s-80s. With care, they remain accurate.
Common Vintage Meters
Selenium cell meters:
- Gossen Lunasix/Luna Pro
- Weston Master series
- Sekonic L-28
CdS cell meters:
- Minolta Auto Meter series
- Gossen Luna Pro (later versions)
- Sekonic L-398
Calibration Concerns
Selenium meters:
- Cells can weaken over decades
- May read low in dim light
- Some can be recalibrated
- Test against modern reference
CdS meters:
- Generally stable
- Some memory effect in extreme conditions
- Require batteries (often mercury cells originally)
Battery Considerations
Many vintage meters used mercury cells (1.35V) no longer available.
Solutions:
- Zinc-air hearing aid batteries (1.4V, close enough)
- Wein cells (1.35V exact, expensive, short life)
- Adapters with modern cells and voltage drop circuit
- Have meter recalibrated for modern batteries
Meter Technique
Basic Incident Metering
Set meter to ISO of your film.
Position meter at subject, dome facing camera.
Take reading.
Transfer settings to camera.
Result: Middle tones render as middle grey; lights and darks fall naturally.
Spot Metering for Zone System
Identify the tone you want to place.
Meter that specific tone.
Meter shows exposure to render it as Zone V.
Adjust exposure to place tone where desired.
Example:
- Meter dark shadows: indicates f/5.6
- You want shadows at Zone III (2 stops below V)
- Close down 2 stops: use f/11
Metering Ratios (Studio)
Meter key light alone (others off).
Note the reading.
Meter fill light alone.
Calculate difference in stops.
Interpreting:
- 1 stop difference = 2:1 ratio
- 2 stops = 4:1 ratio
- 3 stops = 8:1 ratio
Flash Metering
Set meter to flash mode.
Set ISO and sync speed.
Position meter at subject.
Fire flash (via cord or external trigger).
Read aperture from meter.
EV (Exposure Value) System
Many meters display EV values alongside aperture/shutter combinations.
Understanding EV
EV is a single number representing equivalent exposures:
- EV 0 = 1 second at f/1.0 at ISO 100
- Each +1 EV = 1 stop brighter
- Each -1 EV = 1 stop darker
Common EV values:
| EV | Typical Scene |
|---|---|
| -4 | Night sky, stars |
| 0 | Full moon light |
| 4 | Candle-lit scene |
| 8 | Indoor home lighting |
| 12 | Overcast day |
| 15 | Bright sunny day |
Why EV Matters
Quick comparisons:
- "This scene is EV 12, last one was EV 14—2 stops darker"
- Universal reference regardless of aperture/shutter choice
Zone System:
- Each zone = 1 EV
- Spot metering gives EV, place zones by adding/subtracting
Summary
- Incident metering measures light falling on subject—most reliable for general use
- Spot metering measures specific tones—essential for Zone System
- Flash metering captures brief bursts—required for studio flash
- Combination meters offer maximum versatility
- Smartphone apps work as backup but lack precision
- Vintage meters can be excellent if calibrated
- EV values provide universal exposure reference
A good meter is an investment in consistent exposures. For film photographers working without instant review, accurate metering before the shot beats hoping after the fact. Choose based on your primary work—incident for portraits and general shooting, spot for landscapes and Zone System, combination for maximum flexibility.