Getting Started with the TTArtisan Light Meter II
If you shoot film with a vintage camera that lacks a built-in meter, or you want more control than your camera's meter offers, an external light meter is a practical solution. The TTArtisan Light Meter II is a lightweight, compact meter designed to pair with old-school cameras. Weighing only 34g, it slips into a pocket or sits on your hotshoe without adding bulk.
This guide walks through the basic steps to use the TTArtisan Light Meter II for film photography. The goal is to get a correct exposure reading and transfer those settings to your camera.
What the TTArtisan Light Meter II Offers
- TTArtisan External Hotshoe / Coldshoe Mount Light Meter II - Silver: Weighs only 34g, making it easy to carry and perfect for photographers using old-school cameras. A lightweight meter won't weigh down your camera bag or become a burden during a day of shooting.
TTArtisan External Hotshoe / Coldshoe Mount Light Meter II - Silver - TTArtisan External Hotshoe / Coldshoe Mount Light Meter II - Silver: Features a 23-step dial to adjust shutter speed and an IRIS dial that are synchronized for greater flexibility and ease of use. The synchronized dials let you change one setting and see the corresponding adjustment instantly, speeding up your workflow.
- TTArtisan External Hotshoe / Coldshoe Mount Light Meter II - Silver: The dial has been optimized to be clickable, and exposure can be adjusted according to the indicator light, resulting in more precise exposure. The clickable dial provides tactile feedback, and the indicator light gives a clear visual signal when the exposure is correct.
- TTArtisan External Hotshoe / Coldshoe Mount Light Meter II - Silver: Has a replaceable battery design, which extends the product's lifespan and ensures that it remains operational. A replaceable battery means you can keep using the meter for years without worrying about built-in battery degradation.
Step-by-Step: Using the TTArtisan Light Meter II
The following steps assume you have the meter mounted on your camera's hotshoe or held in your hand. The process is the same either way.
- Set your film ISO: Before taking a reading, set the ISO dial on the meter to match the film speed you are using (e.g., ISO 400 for Kodak Portra 400). This tells the meter how sensitive your film is to light.
- Point the meter at your subject: Hold the meter so its sensor faces the scene you want to meter. For a typical reflected-light reading, point it from your camera position toward the subject. Avoid casting your own shadow on the area you are metering.
- Adjust shutter speed or aperture using the dials: Turn the 23-step shutter speed dial or the IRIS (aperture) dial until the indicator light shows the correct exposure. The clickable dials give you tactile feedback as you adjust. The synchronized dials mean changing one automatically adjusts the other to maintain the same exposure value.
- Read the settings and transfer them to your camera: Once the indicator light confirms correct exposure, note the shutter speed and aperture shown on the dials. Set your camera's shutter speed ring and aperture ring to those values. If your camera has a hotshoe, you can leave the meter mounted; if not, take the reading and then remove it before shooting.
Practical Tips for Accurate Metering
The TTArtisan Light Meter II is designed for simplicity, but a few practices will improve your results. First, meter for the most important part of your scene. If you are shooting a portrait with a bright background, meter for the subject's face rather than the overall scene. Second, in very bright or very low light, check that the indicator light still responds; if it flickers or stays off, you may be outside the meter's range. Finally, remember that the meter gives you a middle-gray exposure; for high-contrast scenes, you may want to bracket by adjusting one stop over or under.
Because the meter has a replaceable battery, it is wise to carry a spare. The battery compartment is easy to access, and a fresh battery ensures consistent performance throughout a shoot.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
The supplied information does not specify the meter's low-light sensitivity or the exact battery type. If you plan to shoot in dim conditions, test the meter beforehand to see if it provides a reading. Also, the meter is designed for reflected-light metering; it does not offer incident-light metering with a dome. For scenes with very uneven lighting, an incident meter might give more consistent results, but for most outdoor and everyday film photography, the TTArtisan Light Meter II works well.
