Smart Phone apps for the APUG'er

Paul Verizzo · Jun 5, 2015

Every time I hate the strait jacket of having to do things the smart phone way, I find another reason to keep the needle in my arm. In this case, using my phone's camera as a handy, accurate, always with me light meter.

Not only did I discover an incredible light meter application, far better than my old problematical "real" ones, I got an entire toolbox for photographers. It's called Photographer's Tools and the developer is Andrea Cristaldi. Factory film and development information, DOF calculator, hyperfocal, a darkroom timer that uses red numerals, and a lot more. And to top it off, eye candy, functional graphics.

As the developer says, "Some useful tools for photographers (real ones).

This is for Windows Phone, but it wouldn't surprise me this product is on "the other two brands." Or at least similar.

Lee Rust · Jun 5, 2015

Is there an incident light attachment available for smartphones?

Ken Nadvornick · Jun 5, 2015

I've never exhibited that particular personality disorder that requires sticking needles in my arm in the first place. So I never did. As a result, I continue to be perfectly capable of finding my way through this world using my own, not other's, wits.

Plus I own a Sekonic L-398 Studio Deluxe incident light meter.

Problems solved...

Ken

Colin Corneau · Jun 5, 2015

That's cute, but the reality is our smartphones are with a lot of us almost all of the time. And since so are our cameras, why not make it work for us.

I use a metering app when I'm caught short, and it's pretty accurate. The Massive Development Chart app is easily my favorite and most useful. Haven't tried Reciprocity yet but I've heard good things.

Tools are there for us to use, why not use them?

Ken Nadvornick · Jun 5, 2015

Sure, a cute drive-by post. But rooted in the truth nonetheless.

Not all of us are looking for maximum convenience and ease of existence in life at all costs. I know this is blasphemy for the herd, but not infrequently when presented with two roads to the same destination, I will knowingly choose the more difficult. Because at the end of that task and the day, I know from generous prior experience that I will learn far more about that task and its corollaries than if I had taken the less difficult path where answers were handed to me.

Now I'm not saying this approach is for everyone. By all means pack and use your computing gadgets as you require in order to be able to do the things you want to do. I just choose not to be part of those six million souls who ordered the latest iPhone6 in the first 24 hours. I don't choose to define my life by other people's realities.

YMMV...

(BTW, love your photos Colin...)

Ken

Michael W · Jun 5, 2015

for the iPhone
Pocket Light Meter
Reciprocity Timer
Sun Seeker

Richard S. (rich815) · Jun 5, 2015

Michael W said:
for the iPhone
Pocket Light Meter
Reciprocity Timer
Sun Seeker

I've tried them all and find the best one to be the plain old "light meter":

Light Meter Free by Clomputing.com
https://appsto.re/us/-D5Cy.i

George Nova Scotia · Jun 5, 2015

Paul Verizzo said:
Every time I hate the strait jacket of having to do things the smart phone way, I find another reason to keep the needle in my arm. In this case, using my phone's camera as a handy, accurate, always with me light meter.

Not only did I discover an incredible light meter application, far better than my old problematical "real" ones, I got an entire toolbox for photographers. It's called Photographer's Tools and the developer is Andrea Cristaldi. Factory film and development information, DOF calculator, hyperfocal, a darkroom timer that uses red numerals, and a lot more. And to top it off, eye candy, functional graphics.

As the developer says, "Some useful tools for photographers (real ones).

This is for Windows Phone, but it wouldn't surprise me this product is on "the other two brands." Or at least similar.

WOW someone else with a Windows Phone, I'm not alone and yes I like that app as well.

DWThomas · Jun 5, 2015

Lee Rust said:
Is there an incident light attachment available for smartphones?

I don't own one but I recall seeing pictures of some sort of clip-on attachment with a white dome for at least certain models of iPhone.

Ah yes, here 'tis. I'll probably pass, as my Gossen Digisix is smaller than my phone!

Lee Rust · Jun 5, 2015

Thanks, Dave!

willrea · Jun 6, 2015

George Nova Scotia said:
WOW someone else with a Windows Phone, I'm not alone and yes I like that app as well.

And here I thought I was the only one!

largely · Jun 6, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
Sure, a cute drive-by post. But rooted in the truth nonetheless.

Not all of us are looking for maximum convenience and ease of existence in life at all costs. I know this is blasphemy for the herd, but not infrequently when presented with two roads to the same destination, I will knowingly choose the more difficult. Because at the end of that task and the day, I know from generous prior experience that I will learn far more about that task and its corollaries than if I had taken the less difficult path where answers were handed to me.

Now I'm not saying this approach is for everyone. By all means pack and use your computing gadgets as you require in order to be able to do the things you want to do. I just choose not to be part of those six million souls who ordered the latest iPhone6 in the first 24 hours. I don't choose to define my life by other people's realities.

YMMV...

(BTW, love your photos Colin...)

Ken

"Two roads diverged in the woods and I,
I took the one less traveled by.
and that has made all the difference" .......Robert Frost

pbromaghin · Jun 6, 2015

willrea said:
And here I thought I was the only one!

I have one. The button has a Hello Kitty sticker on it that I haven't been able to remove in 2 years. It has a pink plastic wrapper. Oh, did I say it was my wife's old phone? I don't know why I would want to take a picture with it when I have a perfectly good Mamiya TLR and several Minolta x-bodies...

Paul Verizzo · Jun 6, 2015

Lee Rust said:
Is there an incident light attachment available for smartphones?

It actually claims to have an incident setting, but I've not played with it to see how it can really do something like that w/o the appropriate diffuser. But then, I'll admit, "they" do all kinds of things with electronics that this old school guy can't see how, or at least at first.

Paul Verizzo · Jun 6, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
I've never exhibited that particular personality disorder that requires sticking needles in my arm in the first place. So I never did. As a result, I continue to be perfectly capable of finding my way through this world using my own, not other's, wits.

Plus I own a Sekonic L-398 Studio Deluxe incident light meter.

Problems solved...

Ken

And it's always with you, right? And you have all those other tools in your Sekonic, right?

Sure, whatever works for you or anyone else. I was just trying to let people know, especially since so many of us here are, um, older, that there is this cool, useful option available.

Paul Verizzo · Jun 6, 2015

Ken Nadvornick said:
Sure, a cute drive-by post. But rooted in the truth nonetheless.

Not all of us are looking for maximum convenience and ease of existence in life at all costs. I know this is blasphemy for the herd, but not infrequently when presented with two roads to the same destination, I will knowingly choose the more difficult. Because at the end of that task and the day, I know from generous prior experience that I will learn far more about that task and its corollaries than if I had taken the less difficult path where answers were handed to me.

Now I'm not saying this approach is for everyone. By all means pack and use your computing gadgets as you require in order to be able to do the things you want to do. I just choose not to be part of those six million souls who ordered the latest iPhone6 in the first 24 hours. I don't choose to define my life by other people's realities.

YMMV...

(BTW, love your photos Colin...)

Ken

Sounds pretty knee jerk to me, Ken. Rationally choosing one road or the other is excellent. Following the herd is not excellent. But to just dismiss something because it's new or popular for no other reasons is closed minded. (And you'll notice I use a Windows Phone, definitely NOT following the herd!)

pbromaghin · Jun 8, 2015

pbromaghin said:
I have one. The button has a Hello Kitty sticker on it that I haven't been able to remove in 2 years. It has a pink plastic wrapper. Oh, did I say it was my wife's old phone? I don't know why I would want to take a picture with it when I have a perfectly good Mamiya TLR and several Minolta x-bodies...

oops. No i don't. It's an Apple. But the other stuff is true.

And I'm the one always complaining about lack reading comprehension...

DREW WILEY · Jun 8, 2015

One of the joys of photography is leaving the phone behind and not getting annoyed with all kinds of beepy sounds and jingles.

Paul Verizzo · Jun 8, 2015

DREW WILEY said:
One of the joys of photography is leaving the phone behind and not getting annoyed with all kinds of beepy sounds and jingles.

How about doing what you want to do, and let the rest of us do what we want to do. If you don't want to receive beepy sounds and jingles, turn it OFF! But you can still use that very nice light meter within, if that's all you have. Not everyone has all the best stuff.

LJH · Jun 8, 2015

If you do some research on the Luddites, you'll see that they ultimately lost.

This condemnation of technology by some here has underlying hypocrisy - unless you shoot purely Calotypes through 1840s glass, you are picking and choosing which subsequent technology you use. Using any other form of photography and condemning Smartphones just doesn't ring true and consistent.

Smartphones are simply newer technology, just as coated lenses improved non-coated. Spot meters added an option over Average meters. Modern films replaced dry plates, which had replaced wet processes.

I use reciprocity charts, sun/moon phase charts, development charts, compass, GPS, weather and take shooting notes on my phone. Obviously, I could do all of these in "traditional" ways (do I have to use parchment and a quill, or does the use of technology extend to using a ballpoint and "modern" paper?), but the tomes of notes and additional equipment I would need to carry negates their value when compared to the simplicity and size of a smartphone.

As for leaving the phone behind? You're kidding, aren't you? Unless you're going to carry and EPIRB when you head out on your own to areas that have coverage, you're not taking your safety seriously.

Paul Verizzo · Jun 8, 2015

@LJH (and others): Exactly.

I have studied religion and spirituality from both the inside and the outside. By the latter, I mean academically. I have a master's degree in theology. There are many religions that have nothing to do with gods, goddesses, the lack of them, or spirituality. They are secular. You can find them in many fields of endeavor and beliefs. I'll pick on diet, especially veganism. Could be an environmental or political religion.

While it's hard to define what makes a religion, one of the hallmarks is "Purity." Are you doing it right? Are you good enough? Up to snuff? Or, are you heretical, setting aside what the divine masters Moses/Jesus/Allah/Adams taught us?

And, as I look back on almost 70 years of photography in my life I can now see that there are many in our beloved art/technology that are purists. Right/wrong brand of camera, format, analog v. digital, stuck in the old v. look at and perhaps accept some newer technologies.

Like traditional religious purists, I feel sorry for the photographic ones. And, I confess, they annoy the hell out of me!

Roger Cole · Jun 8, 2015

DWThomas said:
I don't own one but I recall seeing pictures of some sort of clip-on attachment with a white dome for at least certain models of iPhone.

Ah yes, here 'tis. I'll probably pass, as my Gossen Digisix is smaller than my phone!

Well sure but I don't always have my meters. Granted I always have them when I have a camera to use them with but meters and batteries do fail and I always have my phone. So I like the backup aspect of the spotmeter ap at least though I wouldn't carry an extra accessory like this. But if I were just getting started and didn't have a dedicated handheld meter I could see maybe doing so.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk and 100% recycled electrons - because I care.

PCC · Jun 8, 2015

Michael W said:
for the iPhone
Pocket Light Meter
Reciprocity Timer
Sun Seeker

I have Pocket Light Meter and Sun Seeker on my iPhone. I should pick up Reciprocity Timer as I'm a total noob when it comes to larger than 35mm photography.

One advantage of using Pocket Light Meter that I have come up with is to use it to take a meter reading of a scene then screenshot it so you don't have to take notes about the scene referenced to a negative referenced to a time and place. All of that is saved for you on the phone's photos app. At least that's what I'm hoping to do when my LF setup is up and running.

Ken Nadvornick · Jun 9, 2015

Paul Verizzo said:
Like traditional religious purists, I feel sorry for the photographic ones. And, I confess, they annoy the hell out of me!

Sounds like the upcoming APUG system software upgrade is going to be right up your alley. No more need to confess publicly just how much we all annoy you. No more fighting with yourself to ignore all of the annoying photographic purist threads, only to lose that battle again and again.

With the mere flip of a configuration switch you will be able to completely remove yourself from the purist side of photography that has always been the core of APUG, while at the same time still have full visibility and access to "look at and perhaps accept some newer technologies" over on the DPUG side.

Just think how happy everyone involved is going to be...

Ken

gzhuang · Jun 9, 2015

Windoze Stuff

Available Light & Metero for the Lubitel TLR.

Smart Phone apps for the APUG'er

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency