Reflected-light metering
Uses the iPhone camera to read reflected light and provide exposure guidance for the ISO selected by the user.
Lightmeter
Freemium
Lightmeter is an iPhone app that combines a reflected-light meter for film cameras with a film-look camera for everyday photography. It supports offline shooting and metering without an account, cloud storage, ads, or third-party tracking.
What is Lightmeter?
Lightmeter is an iPhone app with two related functions: a reflected-light meter for a film camera and a digital camera with film-inspired looks. It reads light through the iPhone camera, then provides exposure combinations for the ISO selected by the user. Metering can be center-weighted across the frame or spot-based by tapping a point.
For digital photography, Lightmeter is designed for everyday moments with natural colors, authentic grain, and zero-AI, non-HDR processing. Metering, shooting, and the darkroom work offline, and the app does not require an account, login, or cloud service. Photos are saved to the user’s Photos library, while ungraded negatives remain in private app storage for later restyling.
What can Lightmeter do?
Center-weighted and spot modes
Meter across the frame or tap a specific point to take a spot reading, depending on the scene and subject.
Film-look camera
Captures everyday photos with film-inspired color, grain, and halation recipes using processing described as zero-AI and non-HDR.
Offline workflow
Metering, shooting, and the darkroom work without an internet connection, account, login, or cloud service.
Photos library and negative storage
Saves finished frames to the user’s Photos library, including a Lightmeter album, while retaining ungraded negatives in private app storage for later restyling.
Lightmeter Plus options
Adds RAW capture on supported iPhones, the full film-look library, darkroom borders and Polaroid treatments, and alternate app icons.
Use Cases
“Metering with a film camera”
Use the iPhone as a handheld reflected-light meter when carrying a separate film camera. Select the film ISO, choose center-weighted or spot metering, and use the available shutter and aperture pairs to set the camera.
“Everyday digital photography”
Shoot moments with the iPhone when a film camera is not available, using Lightmeter’s film-inspired processing rather than a conventional HDR look.
“Restyling a photograph later”
Keep an ungraded negative in the app’s private storage and revisit it in the darkroom to apply a different look or treatment.
“Offline or account-free shooting”
Meter and photograph without signing up or connecting to a cloud service. Finished images can be accessed through the device’s Photos library.
“RAW-based capture on supported iPhones”
Use Lightmeter Plus to capture RAW when the iPhone supports it, allowing the film look to be developed from sensor data rather than a flattened photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which iPhones and iOS versions does Lightmeter support?
Lightmeter runs on iPhones using iOS 17 or later. RAW capture depends on the specific iPhone supporting it.
Does Lightmeter require an account or internet connection?
No. There is no sign-up, login, or cloud service, and metering, shooting, and the darkroom work offline. Apple handles the server connection used for buying or restoring Lightmeter Plus.
Where are Lightmeter photos stored?
Finished photos go to the device’s Photos library, including a Lightmeter album, and remain there if the app is deleted. Ungraded negatives are kept in the app’s private storage, excluded from iCloud backup, and removed when the app is deleted.
What is included with Lightmeter Plus?
Lightmeter Plus includes RAW capture on supported iPhones, the full film-look library including future looks, darkroom borders and Polaroid treatments, and alternate app icons. It is available as a monthly or yearly subscription or a one-time purchase; Apple handles billing and refunds.
Are Lightmeter’s film looks licensed film stocks?
No. They are the developer’s own recipes designed to match analog film behavior, including grain, halation, and color. They are not products of, licensed by, or affiliated with any film manufacturer.
Quick Facts
- Category
- iPhone camera and film light meter
- Platform
- iPhone; iOS 17 or later
- Availability
- Free to download on the App Store
- Paid option
- Lightmeter Plus: monthly or yearly subscription, or one-time purchase
- Connectivity
- Metering, shooting, and darkroom work offline
- Permissions
- Camera required; Photos required for saving and gallery access; Location optional for new-shot geotags
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