Lumu Power vs Sekonic Light Meter

When comes to Sekonic name every professional photographers know its root stands for Professional light metering, on other hand Lumu Power is a kickstarter light metering device that plug into IOS devices like IPhone or Ipad. My name is Wayne Lam, Vancouver wedding photographer & Filmmaker; I will be doing a personal test using my Sekonic light meter vs Lumu Power. From the Lumu Power web site stating what it can do: Color Temperature, White Balance, Flash and Ambient Exposure or Illuminance. Since I mainly purchase the Lumu Power for Color Temperature K for video and photo production workflow, I thought to see how accurate this unit compare to my Professional light meter which cost double the price and yet don’t offer Color Temperature reading.

This where Professional Sekonic L-558 comes to the test, remember this is not a scientific test but a side by side comparison. My 6 years old Sekonic light meter has not been re-calibrated but did use to compare to a free IOS apps Light Meter that is only one third stops differences. Remember this test is my finding.
Note: Lumu Power testing using: Firmware 5.3 and software version 3.1.1/125, Hardware 1.0

Lumu Power Light Meter Photo Ambient Test

I do see there is a One third Stops differences between the two light meters which is quite good giving Sekonic is a well known light meter company. Let’s see how Lumu Power Spot Meter comparison next.

Photo Spot Metering Lumu Power

Testing Lumu Power Photo Spot Metering or Reflective Metering; Lumu is using the IPhone camera and Lumu’s software to do the work as you can see Lumu Power has been removed from the Iphone and is still working. You can select a Red dot to Spot the area you wanted to meter but once you select the dark area you to Spot metering, IPhone camera will automatic brighten up the dark area which giving the wrong values unless there is a way to turn off auto metering in IPhone camera then I don’t see this Spot Metering will give out the correct reading. I would caution Not to use the Spot Metering. Next up the Photo Flash test and this will be a fun one!

Lumu Light Meter test Flash Photo accuracy

Using the Canon 600EX RT flash, I set the flash output with manual power setting and same distance output measure for both light meters. After many tests I do find there are Two Third Stops differences between the Lumu Power and my Sekonic L-588 light meter, I would say Two third can cause a blown out highlight of a light area but again it can be adjust in post but for accurate measurement I would stay with a Sekonic.vSekonic does have an average metering for multi flashes read out plus ratio power from two difference flashes output. Say you need to know how the fill light power compare to key light. At this test Sekonic has beaten out the Lumu Power light meter but the Lumu Power is more than a light meter, I bought the Lumu Power mainly for Spectrometer (color temperature K for video and photo production work) Spectrometer is very expensive and having this low cost unit will help white balance in camera for photo and video workflow. Next stop testing the Color Temperature accuracy of Lumu Power.

Aputure LED light with 3000K Tungsten light

I have a Aputure COB 120t (tungsten LED light) that claims to have 3000K, after testing it is very close with Lumu Power reading at 3040K. There are two lights Color Temperature reading can be store and when two lights have different Kevin reading, the software will suggest a CTB read out for balancing K for both lights which is very good. This can applies for correcting your flash photography output by using the correct CTB gel. Next stop is my verdict.

Let’s assume my Sekonic L-588 is correct in every measurements, I would say use the Sekonic for Spot and Flash metering since Lumu Power might not be accurate enough and if even it is accurate, it still lacks the Professional tools like the average reading for Spot metering, also ratio report for two stroke lights set up. If you are buying Lumu Power for the Color temperature measurement then it is a good value choice. For Professional photography Sekonic or other hand held light meters on the market are more better and have more functions. I hope you find this article helpful and
please leave me a comments. What you think of Lumu Power, is this the right tool for your Photography and Videography?