Caring for your handheld light meter

It can last for decades if you take care of it

A LIGHT METER SHOULD BE TREATED CAREFULLY

A light meter may appear to be robust and can often take a degree of knocking around, but shock or vibration can damage its components and affect its accuracy.

Handle your meter carefully, place its strap around your neck to avoid accidentally dropping it, but be careful when bending over that it doesn't knock against anything.

Be sure to keep it stored in a protective pouch when not in use. (There is usually a case or pouch supplied when you buy the light meter.)

TEMPERATURE CAN AFFECT A LIGHT METER'S OPERATION

Check your meter’s instruction manual to learn what the temperature range is in which it will function accurately. If you are using it in extreme cold, it is important to keep it next to your body so it remains as warm as possible and so its battery provides sufficient power.

Don’t ever leave your meter in the window, on the seat of a closed vehicle on a hot, sunny day or in the glove compartment of a hot car. The excessive heat may permanently damage it.

Never leave a digital light meter in direct sunlight for extended times. The meter’s liquid crystal display window could turn black.

And no light meter should be placed close to a heat source, like a radiator or under strong lights. Your incident-light meter must also be protected from high-humidity.

SPARE BATTERIES AND EVEN A SECOND METER ARE GOOD IDEAS

You should always have a spare battery handy for your light meter. Battery failure at a critical time can ruin an entire shoot. If you can afford it, do what many pros do, and buy an extra light meter as a back-up and to check critical exposures using two meters.

YOUR METER SHOULD LAST FOR DECADES IF CARED FOR

Take care of your ambient light meter as you would any other precise measuring instrument that you want to remain serviceable for many years.