AstrHori redesigned its tiny light meter to make the even more compact XH-2
Jun 10, 2024
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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AstrHori has announced the new AstrHori XH-2 ($79) on-camera light meter. Designed to slip into the camera’s shoe, the AstrHori XH-2 is built primarily for film cameras. Of course, you can use it with digital, too, but digitals have meters built in already.
For film cameras, though, the story is a little different. Many never had built-in meters. And even the ones that do are often quite troublesome – especially if the rest of the camera is all mechanical. This is why ou need a separate one.
AstrHori XH-2 On-Camera Light Meter
Light meters were all the rage in the film days. Even after reflective light meters started being added right into cameras, they were still popular. Many film cameras that have meters were released in the early days of meter technology.
Some cameras, like my old Nikkormat FTn and FT3 bodies, are so “early days” that except for the built-in meter, the rest of the camera is entirely mechanical. You don’t even need batteries in them for the camera to work. Just if you want the meter.
A lot of those older mechanical cameras with electronic meters require batteries that are no longer being made. And we’re not just talking form factor, but chemical composition and voltage. Not all of those batteries have modern replacements.
In these sorts of conditions, or when you just want consistency from shot to shot and from one camera to the next, external light meters are invaluable. Personally, I use a Sekonic L758DR (buy here), but for the basics, the AstrHori XH-2 looks like it should perform pretty well.
And there are no such battery issues here The AstrHori features a built-in lithium-ion battery. It’s a small battery, only 80mAh, but the device doesn’t require a lot of power. When it does die, though, you can easily charge it back up over USB-C.
How does it work?
The AstrHori XH-2, like the older AstrHori AH-M1 light meter ($62-69), sits on top of your camera’s hot shoe (or cold shoe). It constantly monitors the scene before you in order to try and determine what kind of exposure you need.
It doesn’t communicate directly with your camera, and you actually don’t need to have it on your camera. That being said, it is generally going to give the most accurate readings when it is on top of your camera, pointed in the direction you’re going to shoot.
An OLED display on the top of the unit gives you the exposure details you need, along with other information. It provides real-time exposure parameters that you then enter into your camera. The ISO is fixed at your film speed, obviously, but it will support both aperture and shutter priority modes, minimising the variables.
After entering those exposure settings into your camera, you’re good to go. Just shoot away.
Price and Availability
The AstrHori XH-2 is available to pre-order now for $79 in black or silver. Shipping is expected to begin in the coming weeks.
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
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