Lumu: The Gorgeous Light Meter Every Photographer Should Look Into

As smart phones become more and more prevalent in our lives, their integration into other unrelated areas seems an inevitability.  The iphone had everything to do with this.  It was the first smart phone that was simplified for anyone to use, thus ensuring its ubiquity.  It doesn't take more than an hour of playing with an iphone (or related idevices) to get a comfortable feel for it.  So what do you get when you introduce this device to an already techno savvy age group?  Everything.  Integration with credit cards, a credit card reader, controlling your home electronics/lights/security system, a key to your car, GPS, house keys, your child's toys, and roomba.

 For photographers and videographers, we have options like  DSLR tethering, audio recording with mic add-ons, act as a controller for photoshop, rigs use iphones as secondary screens for cameras/rigs or just plain control the rigs.  All this, from what was intended to be just a phone with a touch screen. What it actually is a summation of our computer technology compacted into a self powered device smaller than a pocket bible (the iphone might see more usage!).

 Now that leads me to Lumu, a light meter attachment for iOS and Android phones. That blows me away that these pocket devices have become so powerful that they can run applications to measure lighting as well as any of the big boy meter companies like Sekonic:

 

 The app looks simple enough to use, though I'm wondering how it handles flash lighting (a big part of my skate photography relies on it). I hope they'll post tests in the near future!

 The retail price when  released will be $129, which is a good deal given what a decent light meter costs. The downside is if your phone isn't charged or you forget your phone, you're up the creek without a paddle. Same if you loose the attachment, given how small it is, I can already see myself misplacing it when it isn't around my neck.

Still, the convenience of one less device to carry is all too alluring for a young, tech embracing crowd that already relies on their smart phones for just about everything else!

For more information on Lumu, check out their Kickstarter page.

Leather pouch, necklace, and a black or silver  Lumu meter device.