Sweden-based LIT Systems has announced the LIT DUO 1, a new pocket-sized light meter. The meter has seven different light measuring modes, including colour temperature mode, full-colour XY mode, light spectrum measurement mode, and it can even detect the frequency at which your lights are flickering. Obviously, you also get the usual ISO, aperture and shutter speed light metering you get from other light meters.
Hold back your excitement, though. It’s not available just yet. It’s currently in development, but it promises to be an excellent option for those looking for an advanced light meter by the time it gets to release. In fact, if it does make it to release, there might finally be somebody out there to give Sekonic a little competition!
It’s an interesting and compact device. A device that the company calls “insanely accurate”. On the top are two large sensor areas that pull in all of the light data. It knows how bright it is, what the white balance is, how of the colour spectrum your “white” light covers, and a range of other features. It also hooks up directly to your smartphone for full remote control and firmware updates.
It’s definitely a step above the usual light meter. In fact, it combines multiple devices into one. With other tools from companies like Sekonic, you’d probably need at least two, maybe three devices to cover everything this one does. Or at least, what it promises to offer once it’s complete. Its size will also help.
It will be the first all-in-one meter of its type in this market if it hits its targets and goes to retail. It offers a very fancy-looking (but functional) user interface, with different screens for each mode to show you the results. Its biggest competitor is going to be the Sekonic L-858D-U (buy here). That’s Sekonic’s most recent iteration of its flagship device. They’re certainly facing a challenge to knock that one off its throne, but if it can do all it says it will, it should do it with ease – at least, in theory.
There’s no word yet of a price nor when the devices will become available. Given the current price of the Sekonic L-858D-U light meter (around $600) and the feature set this offers, I wouldn’t be surprised if the number were about the same, if not a bit higher. If it comes in below the price of the L-858D-U, it might finally force me to update my L-748DR.
For those interested in finding out more, there’s a signup form on the Lit Systems website.
[via CineD]
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