LIT DUO 1

Light meters tend to specialize: one tool for exposure, another for color, sometimes a third for checking flicker under artificial light. LIT DUO 1, presented as a Kickstarter project, tries to fold those jobs into one pocket-size unit. The maker describes it as a multifunction meter with six main functions, built for crews working in film, video and stills.

Two sensors, measured together

The core of the design is a dual-sensor system. According to the maker, the two sensors work in tandem so exposure and color temperature can be measured simultaneously, giving a more detailed read of the light's characteristics. Color temperature and flicker measurement rely on what the maker calls an interference filter sensor, which it says delivers fast, accurate readings and helps confirm a stable lighting environment for both film and digital capture.

Modes and app

The maker lists several measurement modes, including an exposure mode based on shutter angle, a flash mode and a continuous measurement mode, intended to make it quicker to set the meter up for specific shooting conditions. Over Bluetooth, readings can be viewed and managed in a smartphone app, which the maker says supports saving and sharing data and exporting measurement notes, useful when juggling multiple projects.

Power and build

• Runs on three AAA batteries
• Built-in USB-C port for charging NiMH cells
• Aluminum body with a hardened glass display
• Recyclable materials and a sustainable manufacturing process, according to the maker

Swappable AAA cells mean a dead battery mid-shoot can be dealt with on the spot, while the aluminum and hardened glass construction is meant to hold up in demanding on-set conditions. Whether the full set of six functions and the claimed accuracy hold up in practice remains to be seen beyond the maker's own description.