Clip-on Lightmeters…are they really useful? Or just another gadget?

I couldn’t be happier that there are companies out there which are producing new products marketed toward classic and vintage camera users. One common thing we vintage shooters have to contend with – at least occasionally – is a camera without a meter. Or, just as likely, a camera with a dead meter. In either scenario we usually end up breaking out the old handheld meter. A lot of us have at least one of those that we’ve collected along with other miscellaneous photographica over the years. But if you’re without one of those, you do have options in this day and age. Enter the new-era clip-on light meters.

There are several brands out there, but they all seem to be about the same in form and function. They’re small, shoe-mount, reflected-light meters – reminiscent of the old shoe mount meters that were available for those meterless SLRs in the late 50s – early 60s. Except with the new ones comes modern technology. One of the cool things about having a YouTube channel is that occasionally I get contacted about reviewing a product. And if that product makes sense and fits in with my content, I’m usually happy to oblige.

Earlier in the year I reviewed one of the clip-on meters from AstrHori – the AH-M1 – and found that it was more accurate that I expected. It was really good. And it fit well with my Yashica Mat 124G since that camera’s meter was inop.

Then a month or so ago, the same company reached out to see if I’d be interested in giving their updated version – the XH-2 – a look. Why not? So they sent me the new one in short order. If you’re interested in seeing the whole review, check out the video below. If you just want the TL/DR version: the meter is good and maybe a bit more accurate than the older version. It’s a little quirky in its design, but the thing performs.

I recently used it in a project comparing several metering methods. I got the exact same exposure with this little meter that I did using my spot meter to average the highlight and shadow areas. I was impressed. Check out the video for more.