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Monday, March 15, 2010
Mini Meter
I don’t use my light meter nearly enough these days. The problem is, using the LCD screen on the camera for image previews and histogram data does much of the work of a meter—especially when shooting with ambient light or in situations that don’t seem terribly tricky. The one situation in which I still do crave a light meter, however, is when I want to be able to spot test particular areas of a scene to determine lighting ratios and luminance values in zones from shadows to highlights. That’s how Ansel Adams worked, after all; if it was good enough for him it’s surely fine for me. But who wants to carry a big bulky spot meter for only occasional use? Well now you don’t have to.
The PocketSpot Meter from Metered Light is a brand new product from the boutique two-person company (really, it’s a couple of photo enthusiast engineers who identified a niche and created what seems to be an ideal solution) that has long produced timers and darkroom accessories. They claim this little guy to be the smallest spot meter in the world. That size is a benefit, especially compared to old-school spot meters which more closely resembled huge handguns than compact photographic accessories.
The PocketSpot is a small 1-degree spot meter that actually fits easily in your pocket—perfect for photographers who may not use a spot reading for every exposure but who would at least like to have the option. And now they don’t have to sacrifice precious kit space to be able to do it.
At $400 the PocketSpot is far from inexpensive, but it’ well made too. So well made that lots of folks want them; that high demand means you may have to have some patience before you get your own. But good things are sure to come to those who wait.
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