TTArtisan Light Meter II Review: A Cold-Shoe Meter for Film Cameras
The TTArtisan Light Meter II is our pick for film shooters who want a small, simple exposure meter. It sits on the cold shoe, weighs 34g, has 23 shutter-speed stops and clicked aperture dials, and runs about 60 hours on a CR1632 battery.
The TTArtisan Light Meter II is our pick for film shooters who want a small, simple exposure meter. It sits on the cold shoe, weighs 34g, has 23 shutter-speed stops and clicked aperture dials, and runs about 60 hours on a CR1632 battery.
Black · US
Price checked 2026-10-25. Before tax and shipping. Check the current checkout total before paying.
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Film and vintage-camera shooters who want a compact cold-shoe meter with simple dials.
Your camera already has a built-in meter you trust, or you need spot metering.
A tiny meter can make a manual film camera easier to use. The TTArtisan Light Meter II is a compact aircraft-aluminum meter that mounts on the cold shoe and tells you whether your exposure is on target. We recommend it for film shooters with cameras that lack a built-in meter.
How it works
Two dials set shutter speed and aperture, and an indicator light shows overexposure within one step, accurate exposure or underexposure within one step. The measuring mode is average with an angle of about 45°.
What changed from the first version
TTArtisan lists 23 shutter-speed stops (up from 12), clicked aperture dials, a CR1632 battery and a non-slip finish in the Light Meter II. The shutter range runs from 1 second to 1/2000, and aperture from F1.0 to F22 with ISO 25 to 6400.
Battery and handling
Continuous metering runs about 60 hours. After 10 seconds without use the indicator light turns off, and after 60 seconds the meter sleeps; touching a dial or pressing the metering button wakes it. At 34g without battery it adds almost no weight to a small camera. The cold-shoe position can be set left, middle or right.
Who should buy it
Choose it to meter manual film cameras and vintage rangefinders. Our exposure triangle guide explains the settings a meter helps you balance.
Price
The Black version was listed at $71.00 USD. See the TTArtisan offer page for the shopping link.
What we like
- Compact 40 × 35 × 16 mm aircraft-aluminum body at 34g without battery
- 23 shutter-speed stops from 1 second to 1/2000
- Clicked aperture dials, ISO 25 to 6400 and an indicator light
- About 60 hours of continuous metering with auto sleep
What to know
- Average metering only, with a 45° angle
- Shutter range tops out at 1/2000
- Product boxes are randomly selected, per TTArtisan
Key specs
| Metering | Average, about 45° angle |
|---|---|
| Shutter speeds | 23 stops, 1 s to 1/2000 |
| Apertures | F1.0 to F22, clicked |
| ISO | 25 to 6400 |
| Battery | CR1632, about 60 hours |
| Size and weight | 40 × 35 × 16 mm; 34 g without battery |
| Material | Aircraft aluminum |
| Listed price | $71.00 USD |
Questions
Who is the Light Meter II (Black) best for?
Film and vintage-camera shooters who want a compact cold-shoe meter with simple dials.
Who should skip the Light Meter II (Black)?
Your camera already has a built-in meter you trust, or you need spot metering.
How do I read the exposure?
An indicator light shows over, correct or under exposure within one step; the two dials set the parameters like manual mode.
What battery does it use?
A CR1632.
How long does the battery last?
About 60 hours of continuous metering, with auto sleep after 60 seconds.
Does it mount on a cold shoe?
Yes, with three position choices.