Another great thing about light meters is that many of them can be used remotely or set up with a tripod. Moreover, some of the best light meters have corded sensors, so you don’t have to have your entire machine up in a little corner or crevice to get an accurate reading. Every light meter review will give you more insight into the different kinds of light meters, so you can know if they are good for professional or private use, and what particular aspects may come in handy for you. They are all powered by a small battery or two and most come with a lengthy warranty.
Best Light Meters List
1. Sekonic L-758DR
$575.00 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This tool will allow you to measure each kind of light where you are, including ambient and studio lights. It is very accurate, especially with flash readings, since it can shutter rather quickly. It gives you alerts and flashes when the amounts are out of range and the top is able to swivel, so you can get readings all over the area, where you need them the most. It will be able to tell you how to fix the settings on your camera to get the best lighting, which allows you to take pictures that look very professional. Another great thing about this item is that it is small enough to hold in your hand and can come in handy inside and outside. You can also save data from the device to your computer, since you can connect it with a simple cable. This will also help you save camera profiles, so you can always be aware of the specific settings you want to stay on top of.
2. Extech LT45 LED Light Meter
$299.99 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This device is around the size of a walkie-talkie and shows you all the numbers and details that you may need. It has a corded device on top, which is the part that measures the lights, so you can have a bit of leverage to hold it up or stretch it to the area that you need to measure the light levels in. It is powered by a 9 volt battery and has a hard case, so it’s quite sturdy. This item is specifically designed to measure indoor spaces, so you can make sure that the lighting levels inside are safe and bright enough for people to be able to see and work. You can calibrate it easily, and it will store the highest and lowest amounts that it has recorded. It also comes with a tripod, so you can set it up to be used without having to carry it around. You can even change up the measurements, in case you need to determine how many Lux or foot candles the light is equivalent to.
3. Sekonic L-478D-U Lightmeter
$339.00 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This light meter has an easy to use touch screen that you can figure out as soon as you pick it up to utilize it. The bright display has large numbers that are easy to read and record. This device is suited for use indoors or outdoors and can come in handy if you are a hobby photographer or a professional photographer, so you don’t have to waste your time taking bad shots. This one has 2 motion capture modes, meaning it will work alongside many different types of cameras. Besides that, it can measure flash and ambient light at the same time, to keep everything even simpler for you. It is compact and around the size of cell phone, so you can keep it with you, whenever you need it. You may even be able to store it in your camera bag. This machine also comes with a 3 year warranty, making it useful for years to come.
4. Sekonic L-308S
$179.00 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This is a very compact light meter, so you can keep it in your pocket whenever you are around a camera or need to get the best shots you can. You may use it to trigger a flash by plugging it into a computer, meaning you can use it in more than one way. The product can read flashes or ambient light, and can measure it in different modes, either incident or reflected. The screen is bright enough to read even if you are in an area with low light and there are very few buttons to learn how to use. The coolest part is that you can set it to different increments, so it will sync up and measure a wide array of cameras that you may own. People that own it recommend it as a beginner light meter, so you can get yourself more comfortable with using a device that can do more and has additional features.
5. Extech LT300 Light Meter
$119.69 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This light meter looks exactly like a volt meter, so you know it’s designed to last. It even has a durable case to sit the machine in, so you can keep it from taking damage. The handy screen is backlit, so you can read it in any light level and there is also a graph available on screen, so you’ll be able to see another representation of the light level. The part of the device that monitors the light is connected via a coiled cord, so you can use it without having to have your machine right by the light source. It can also be controlled remotely and can measure peak or relative modes. It is powered by a 9v battery and works great for indoors and around buildings, such as in halls, stairways, and garages. It will also record extremes and the numbers will stay on screen so you have time to write them down.
6. Sekonic 401-208 Twin Mate Light Meter
$99.85 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This is a very small light meter, which is designed for people that have never worked with a light meter before to be able to use. It gives you analog readings, so it may take a minute to get used to reading them, but it is very easy to use. It can also comes in handy as a secondary meter, in case you misplace your larger one or don’t have room to take it with you to a job or on location. It holds onto your readings for 15 seconds, so you can record them without having to worry. Additionally, it comes with a 1 year warranty and can measure different modes and at different increments. It only weighs a little over 1 ounce too, so it’s convenient to have with you at all times. It also comes with a strap and case too, so you can keep it safe.
7. Extech LT40 LED Light Meter
$110.81 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This meter is able to measure standard and LED lighting sources, which makes it easy to use in so many different places, since LED lights are becoming more and more popular. Furthermore, it can measure all types of LED light; it doesn’t have to be just white. It has a large display that makes it easier to read and can record extreme amounts, like other models in its class. What makes it a little bit different is that it is designed to be used in a professional setting, so it isn’t necessarily for your amateur photography. This model comes with a tripod, is easy to calibrate, and is powered by a couple of easy to find batteries. It is also good at auto-ranging, and you can check out different units of measure too when you use it.
8. Extech 401027 Pocket Sized Candle Light Meter
$85.11 From Amazon
Buy This Item
This powerful machine is designed to be able to read foot candles from 200 to 2000, with the latter being pretty bright. The sensor is connected by a coiled cord and can be adjusted or used remotely, depending on what you need to do. There are two ranges you can use, and the display is simple to read, since there isn’t a lot of information that will complicate your readings. It is mainly to be used for indoor applications, as in places of business and offices, but since it is so easy to use, you can use it for personal purposes as well. However, it isn’t best for photography or filming, since it doesn’t give you a lot of different types of readings. It does come with a 1 year warranty however, and the sensor comes with a cover, so that it will hold up well, even if you use it quite frequently.
