The humble light meter has been a staple of photographers’ gear for decades – and some would argue it’s the most valuable piece of equipment.
However, after the migration from analog to digital, its popularity seemed to decline with the introduction of digital light meters in cameras. And with the advent of mirrorless cameras, you get instant feedback when adjusting your exposure. As a result, even the best light meters on the market have never felt the need to evolve much, until now!
Lit Systems has launched a Kickstarter for the Lit Duo 1, bringing the light meter into the modern era by combining 6 essential tools into one pocket-sized device.
The combination of a simplified user interface and software with touch controls delivers a contemporary and elegant aesthetic, with powerful light metering features for photography and video, bringing it into the 21st century.
I never thought I would see such enthusiasm for a light meter, but the advanced features represent a huge leap forward from existing offerings. Lit Systems has delivered a tool that can accurately measure exposure, color, flash, illuminance, spectrum, and flicker.
The ability to quickly and efficiently measure color can be a game changer in photography, but even more so for consistent video. A trio of color modes allow the user to measure ambient color from any type and source, measure multiple lights to determine differences between them, and view chromaticity values in CIE 1931 or HSI.
As with all great meters, accurate exposure measurement is essential and the Lit Duo 1 delivers on this – and then some! Ambient exposure measurement is simple and allows the user to adjust all settings, add ND filters and change exposure compensation.
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The ΔEV function accurately measures the exposure ratio between two points, the camera target function allows users to manually set camera settings, and the flash exposure measures the difference between ambient light and flash, which works with HSS and provides the user with an analysis graph for improved control.
In what Lit Systems calls “special metering,” we find industry-first measurement capabilities: illuminance, spectrum, and flicker can all be calculated via precisely calibrated sensors, providing better insights to video crews and filmmakers.
Lit Systems have truly rethought the wheel with the Lit Duo 1 and it’s been extremely well received across the industry, resulting in significant Kickstarter backing – already close to surpassing its $545,000 / £420,000 / AU$803,000 goal.
Despite the long list of features, I have barely scratched the surface and recommend heading over to the Kickstarter Page for a more detailed explanation of the features – I haven’t even mentioned that you can play Snake on it! Super Early Bird prices start at $479 / £369 / AU$705.
Editor’s Note: As with all crowdfunding projects, there is no guarantee that the final product will match the initial representations of the campaign, nor that the final product will be completed or delivered. DCW does not endorse this or any other crowdfunding campaign.
You might also be interested in our guides to the best light meter for photography, the best lighting kits, and the best video lights.