Reflected-light meter
Reads reflected light through the iPhone camera and provides exposure combinations for the ISO you set. Metering can be center-weighted across the frame or spot-based by tapping a point.
Lightmeter
Lightmeter is an iPhone app with a reflected-light meter for film cameras and film-inspired photography, plus offline shooting and RAW features via Lightmeter Plus.
A film light meter and camera for iPhone
Lightmeter is an iOS app that combines a reflected-light meter for film photography with a camera for everyday iPhone shooting. It reads light through the iPhone camera and provides shutter and aperture pairs for the ISO you choose, with center-weighted or tap-based spot metering.
When you are not carrying a film camera, Lightmeter can capture photos with film-inspired looks rather than HDR-heavy processing. Photos are saved to your Photos library, while ungraded negatives remain available in the app for later restyling. The app works without an account or ongoing internet connection; optional Plus features are handled through Apple.
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Features
Film-look camera
Uses the iPhone camera to make photos with film-inspired looks, natural colors, and grain. The recipes are designed around analog film behavior, including grain, halation, and color.
RAW workflow
Captures and develops photos from real sensor data rather than a flattened image. RAW capture is available on supported iPhones with Lightmeter Plus.
Non-destructive restyling
Lets you keep ungraded negatives in the app’s private storage and restyle them later. Finished photos are saved to the iPhone Photos library, including a Lightmeter album.
Lightmeter Plus
Includes a film library, darkroom borders and Polaroid treatments, and alternate app icons in Lightmeter Plus. Plus is available as a monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time purchase through Apple.
Offline, private operation
Has no account, login, advertising, behavioral analytics, or third-party tracking. The app sends nothing you shoot, and core metering and shooting work offline.
Use cases
Metering exposure for a film camera
Set the ISO of the film in your camera, use center-weighted or spot metering to read the scene, and choose a shutter and aperture combination that your camera can use.
Everyday film-style photography
Leave the dedicated film camera at home and use the iPhone as a camera with film-inspired looks, natural colors, and grain for everyday moments.
Reworking a captured image
Capture a photo, keep its ungraded negative in Lightmeter’s private storage, and return to it later to try a different look before saving the finished result to Photos.
Using the Plus workflow
Use RAW capture and the extended film and darkroom features when you want more source data and additional finishing options on a supported iPhone with Lightmeter Plus.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Combines a reflected-light meter and film-look camera in one iPhone app.
- Provides both center-weighted and tap-based spot metering with exposure pairs for the selected ISO.
- Supports offline use without an account, login, cloud service, ads, or third-party tracking.
- Saves finished images to Photos while retaining ungraded negatives for later restyling.
- Offers RAW capture and additional film and darkroom features through Lightmeter Plus.
Cons
- The light meter and camera functions require an iPhone; the app does not provide a standalone physical meter.
- RAW capture, the complete film library, darkroom treatments, and alternate icons are part of the paid Lightmeter Plus offering.
- The app requires iOS 17 or later, and RAW capture depends on iPhone support.
FAQ
Do I need to shoot film to use Lightmeter?
No. Lightmeter works as both a reflected-light meter for a film camera and an iPhone camera with film looks, so you can use it without carrying a film camera.
Does Lightmeter require an account or an internet connection?
No. The app has no sign-up, login, or cloud service. Metering, shooting, and the darkroom work offline; Apple handles communication needed to buy or restore Lightmeter Plus.
Where are Lightmeter photos stored?
Photos are saved to your iPhone Photos library, including a Lightmeter album. The app also stores ungraded negatives in private app storage so you can restyle them later; those negatives are removed when the app is deleted.
Does Lightmeter support RAW capture?
Yes, on iPhones that support RAW capture. RAW capture is included with Lightmeter Plus, and the film look is developed from sensor data rather than a flattened photo.
Which devices and permissions does Lightmeter support?
Lightmeter runs on any iPhone using iOS 17 or later. Camera permission is required for metering and shooting, Photos permission is required to save frames and open the gallery, and location permission is optional for geotags.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Photography app; light meter
- Platform
- iPhone running iOS 17 or later
- Primary users
- Film photographers and iPhone photographers seeking film-inspired images
- Metering
- Center-weighted or tap-based spot metering
- Storage
- iPhone Photos library plus private in-app negatives
- Availability
- Free to download on the App Store; Lightmeter Plus is a separate paid offering
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